Results 221-240 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I would welcome very much a debate on the management of our schools and whether they should be Stated-oriented or under the domain of the religious. I have no difficulty with holding such a debate and the jury is out on which is preferable. There should be a detailed analysis of the boards of management which control schools and of whether they should be controlled by teachers or parents....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with all those who spoke about the lack of rural transport. I am very concerned that we would cut back on rural transport. I feel very strongly that we must do something to activate community life. When people are trying to get planning permission to build a house on their farm it is refused and now rural transport is being cut back. There will be no rural life in this country and...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate former Senator Kelly and wish him every success in his new role as MEP. I would also like clarity on the issue of Crumlin Hospital. I listened to many programmes yesterday and mixed messages were coming through on whether operations had been cancelled and for what reason. It is very important to get clarity on that. I wish the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs,...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution to this discussion. I congratulate the Opposition on its fine performance in the elections. However, I will not be dictated to in this House by somebody who blew into the Fine Gael Party and will blow out as quickly as he blew into it. I was born and reared in politics. I am...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey's problem is that he is-----

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey's problem is that he is nasty.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is nasty; that is the difference between us. I want to discuss the issues.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey can give it but he cannot take it.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: There is no doubt but that the election campaign was difficult. People were extremely angry as a result of the fact that the Government was obliged to make tough decisions. Regardless of who might be in government, at times such as those we are experiencing, difficult decisions must be made and pain must be endured. Fianna Fáil is in government and naturally it has been blamed for what...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: It all comes down to the money people have in their pockets. I was involved in the election campaign in Dublin South and I have more experience than the Senator will ever obtain. I can talk in clear terms and I am prepared to accept when I am wrong. That is for sure. Having listened to people's views and experienced their anger, I am aware that there is a need for us to reflect on what we...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey had golden opportunities to remain in his party. He was lucky to obtain a seat in this House and now he has an opportunity to gain further experience. Such experience might do him the world of good and he might be lucky on the occasion of the next general election.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: People must recognise that our economic circumstances have changed and that we are living in a different world. We must be careful with how we shape our views in respect of the country's future. The nature of employment and the future of society are changing. The world economy will dictate the kind of jobs that will be available. We must examine our position with regard to the nature of...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: That is nasty.

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to have a discussion on this evil crime, which is a societal issue. We must do everything we can to prevent trafficking, protect potential victims and prosecute offenders. Some time ago I read an article in one of the daily newspapers which discussed human trafficking between Vietnam and Cambodia. It highlighted an example of how it was carried...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate all those who put their names forward at a time when it is most discouraging for anyone to put their name on a ballot paper. Senator Alex White put up a good fight. We met him many times and there was a healthy rivalry, which I like to see. I hate gloating - there is nothing as unattractive as gloating.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I do not understand this. We are in swings and roundabouts. Fine Gael went through this in 2002. From the time of my childhood I have known of the swings and roundabouts of our party. Let there be no doubt about it, we are not going away.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I stand here today and I will be back today at another time but I will not gloat. It would be great to have a debate on where we are at present, but we need a period of reflection.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: This is a speech.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to listen to our contributions on this awful subject. I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. It was heartbreaking to read the details of the savage abuse meted out to defenceless children who had been in the organisations' care for years and to whose assistance no one came. They were hidden, ignored, rejected and denied...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I endorse the points raised by other Senators. I would love for us to have this debate today, I am so ashamed of what has taken place. My stomach curdled today when I read the horrific accounts in the The Irish Times. I thought of myself as a child and realised the abuse was going on when I was growing up and wondered whether my parents or society knew about it. This is a major issue that...