Results 181-200 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I understand the Taoiseach is preparing to meet the families of the Stardust victims. I hope that is the case and that it will happen soon. The Taoiseach is to meet them not simply on his own behalf but as leader of the country, and therefore on behalf of all of us, which is appropriate. It is also necessary to find some mechanism to bring closure to the families of the victims. I recall...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I congratulate RTE in that regard. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the report in the media today on early school leaving and the finding that poorly qualified students are either unemployed or underemployed. In the context of the current economic situation it is shocking to find that the high early school leaving rate is the same as it was 20 years ago. It is clear this problem is not...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important matter. We have a proud record of keeping this issue high on the political agenda and, with the exception of this debate, of generally reaching a consensus on what needs to happen regarding child care. I very much regret the tone of the debate in the past few days during which one element of the issue has been politicised...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Yes.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: —welcomes the belated recognition in the budget of the need for the Government to begin to meet the high cost of child care through the early child care supplement; —regrets the limited nature of the child care package, particularly the failure to commit to the development of free pre-school...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senators who said that are members of the party to which the Minister of State belongs.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: So were many others.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: What will that mean in practice?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the comments by the Ombudsman for Children, reported on Monday last, which raised a number of important issues in regard to children in Ireland and, in particular, shortcomings in services for children ranging across a number of areas. It is important to listen to what the ombudsman is saying and have a debate on the matter. The Irish Cancer Society has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: With regard to the incident in Templederry, raised by Senator Mansergh, I join other Senators in seeking a debate on rural policing and in particular the Government's policy on the deployment of gardaí in rural areas. In recent weeks, and particularly over the Christmas period, there were a number of criminal incidents in the north Tipperary area. It would appear that gangs are coming there...

Seanad: State Property. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this important matter and I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I am sure the Minister of State has been to Nenagh at some point——

Seanad: State Property. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: When he comes one of the first things he will see is the fine castle. This is a fine example of a circular keep, is in good order and is a symbol of the town. It is located in the town near the church, the courthouse, the jail and other buildings of significance and heritage. It has been the dream of many people in Nenagh that the castle and its environs would be developed as a tourism...

Seanad: State Property. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Can the Minister of State indicate the timeframe?

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am happy to second the motion. This issue has emerged quickly considering it is only approximately seven months since the European Union expanded on 1 May 2004. In that period of time we have experienced a rapid level of social change of which the arrival of many thousands of workers from the new accession states is only one element. It is urgent that the impact on wage rates and the labour...

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am capable of representing the Labour Party at this debate.

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is a disgraceful remark. I ask that it be withdrawn.

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is a disgraceful allegation. I want my objection recorded.

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I must object to the tone of the Senator's remarks. He is going too far. Can we stay within the context of a political debate? The Senator should not make such personalised and negative remarks. In the interests of a reasonable debate on an important issue, I ask him to stay within the context of the debate.

Seanad: Employment Issues: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why does the Government not change it? It has been in power for eight years and has had plenty of time to do it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Leader to arrange an early debate on the crisis in accident and emergency units, particularly in larger hospitals. Despite all the promises made by the Government and in particular the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, the situation is getting worse. Even more overcrowding is occurring, if that is possible, and there is severe mismanagement of the issue. The matter...