Results 141-160 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Death of Staff Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (23 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I would like to join in the words of sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Ms Breda Courtney, who died so suddenly. It has been mentioned that a sudden death like hers leaves a gaping hole and is such a loss for family and friends. We in the House would have been aware of Breda coming and going, and of her extraordinary work and that of her colleagues. She was part of an amazing...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: As a Munster man, I hope the Cathaoirleach will not mind if I congratulate the mighty men of the province, even if I am out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I cannot hear the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: In case it did not, I was trying to extend congratulations to the Munster rugby team on its fabulous victory in Cardiff last Saturday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I add my voice to calls for a debate on the future of Aer Lingus. People have asked what the future of the company will be in the event that privatisation proceeds. We do not know the answer to this valid question just as we did not know what would happen to Telecom Éireann following privatisation. It is now too late to roll back that privatisation. The question which then arises is whether...

Seanad: Ageism Policy: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I, too, call for a debate on school buses. It is inevitable that there is concern when one hears of incidents such as that which occurred yesterday. Buses are passing the test but do not appear to be up to the desired standard. One must question the quality of the tests because there is now widespread concern over the safety of school buses. I listened to the Minister of State on the radio...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Before Easter, I asked the Leader of the House to tell Senators when the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was likely to introduce legislation on press freedom. I referred in particular to the establishment of a press council. I was told that the Minister anticipated that the legislation in question would be prepared just before Easter. Around the same time, I asked the Leader to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank Senator O'Toole for filling us in on the partnership talks.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: It might be useful to have a discussion on the issues surrounding the partnership talks but I wonder if it would make any difference.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I wonder would the input be heard. I would be curious to hear the Leader's response on that because it has been a feature of the development of the partnership talks over a number of years that, as has been pointed out by other Members, the Oireachtas has played a very small, if any, role in the process. While it has yielded great results for the country in terms of our prosperity and so on,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: This is especially the case in the communities in which this impacts most — new communities where people are largely out at work during the day and it is virtually impossible to get them at home at any time except in the evening. Will the Leader of the House arrange a debate on the issue of accident and emergency units in hospitals around the country? Hardly a day passes that we do not read...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is only the case for the supplementary register.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator Mooney's call for a debate on events in Palestine and the Middle East. I ask the Leader to schedule a debate after Easter on the issue of creche regulations. I anticipate that during the Easter recess the Minister of State with responsibility for children will publish a new set of regulations. I hope he does so because they are widely anticipated and needed. Rather than such...

Seanad: Diabetes Policy: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State and the opportunity to speak in this important debate. Like other Senators, I commend Senator Glynn on his perseverance in regard to this issue, his insistence on constantly raising it, bringing to public attention and having it considered. I was not aware of the figures until I read the Minister of State's speech and listened to other Senators. There is no...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support the call for a debate on the privatisation and sale of Aer Lingus. It is an urgent matter that needs to be debated as soon as possible. I urge the Leader to arrange such a debate. On another matter, which relates to Senator Leyden's proposed Bill on the defamation of the dead, will the Leader advise us as to the stage of preparation of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: We have a great relationship with RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: As a former employee of RTE and a member of the NUJ, I would defend to the last the right of RTE journalists to decide who appears on their programmes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: However, we must remember that RTE plays a very important role in our democracy by ensuring debates on important public issues take place and that senior politicians, particularly Ministers, are questioned and held to account for their actions.