Results 241-260 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I do not know if a Minister is available. I am so stirred up about this I want to speak about it today. I do not believe we will be able to get that debate today, but we want it.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I accept that, but it is up to the Leader. I am ashamed to have to stand here as a legislator, knowing that we, successive Governments and the religious authorities have let Ireland down. It is time to call stop. It is time to deal with broken marriages and child abuse. We must find a way out of this situation and create a better society.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Leyden should sit down.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House once again and second the motion. I acknowledge the international endorsement of the Government's overseas aid programme. I was delighted to attend the launch of the Development Assistance Committee's review of Ireland's overseas aid. The DAC carries out reviews of the programmes every four to five years. It acknowledged Ireland's contribution and that...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: There should be a more coherent approach to the implementation of these programmes. The Minister of State must ensure we do not deprive the most needy. We must call in our partners overseas, such as our embassies, to see where we can cut back without scaling back on the programmes. The review is excellent. It recognises our work and I look forward to seeing how the programmes work, even...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I note the points raised and I agree with many of them. The Seanad is under intense scrutiny. I take umbrage at the suggestion that the Seanad is irrelevant and should be abolished. The majority of Senators do an excellent job. They are committed to their work on legislation at all stages. I reject the suggestion that we are irrelevant. It is up to all of us, particularly the Leader, to...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: We are all, including Senator Coghlan, capable of doing a good job. He should stand up and be counted, as we all should. I have no doubt he will.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The Seanad must fight for its role. I want this reform to take place as quickly as possible. We must show we are relevant, have a role to play and that we know our stuff. We are professional people when we go out there and discuss issues, whatever the subject matter. Members in the Seanad and the Dáil are as good as anybody when it comes to speaking on issues.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Let anyone out there deny that or take us on board because I am not in favour of stooping. I hold my head high and I know I can deliver. I intend to ensure the Seanad will hold, will be reformed and will be in existence for a very long time to come.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: That is wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: This is a serious issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Ann Ormonde: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Like Senator Ó Murchú, I am interested in the revival of vibrant rural communities. There was an interesting conference on the subject in Kilkenny that, unfortunately, I could not attend owing to the death of Senator Tony Kett. It is an issue we must discuss because we must strike a balance in society. There has been too much movement to cities and towns; we are leaving rural Ireland in...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Sit down.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I stand here today with a heavy heart. I express my sincere sympathy first to Noreen and the family. I shared an office with Tony for more than 12 years so not alone was he a colleague, he was also a great friend. He was a man I trusted implicitly. Whenever I had a problem I would go to him knowing that with sincerity he would give me the right answers. In all my years in the office I...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I again welcome to the House the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. Normally I enjoy Senator Burke's contributions but today I was surprised by his list of negative contributions on this budget. While it is something in his personality that I had not spotted previously, he must play the game and I take it in the context in which it was delivered today. I will not say much because it...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: He is coming in here to tell us——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: He is patronising us. Since when did the Senator have that role?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The National Economic and Social Forum has brought out another document debating social inclusion and where we should go from here. It would be ideal to have an opportunity to discuss the way forward and how best we can help those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly or those caring for children, get back into employment. There is a golden opportunity to discuss the issue because of...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I share the views of many Senators on how we can move forward. We are in a downturn, but that gives us an opportunity to think about how we can reform our institutions, create jobs and help people return to education. What is coming through from all speakers is that we must have fairness. People spoke about freedom of the press. I have great regard for freedom of the press and I welcome...