Results 341-360 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is very cheeky.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: He is just so cheeky.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Likewise, I support the calls for debates on private pension schemes. Many close to retirement are concerned as to what their entitlements will be and I would welcome a debate on the matter. The call for the debate on education is important to clear up the suggestions in the public on pupil-teacher ratio, substitute teachers and so forth. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate "Prime Time Investigates" on its excellent broadcast last night. It highlighted what is happening to those being exploited in the workforce. It is important that the public acknowledges this. It is horrific to think of the kind of road traffic accidents that could result because of a haulage service exploiting its drivers and overworking them. Last week the Sub-committee on...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Ideally, I agree with Senator Norris but we are not living in an ideal world in this regard. In the light of our international peacekeeping operations it would be impossible to implement the amendment for the reasons outlined by the Minister of State. I would not like the Defence Forces to participate in the activation of cluster munitions but I understand where we are coming from in that...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution to the Committee Stage debate. In addition to the Minister of State, I have worked with the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, on the legislation. It is great that we have reached this point. I appreciate the Minister of State's words of empathy with...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 December 2008.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I empathise with Senator Norris on the issue. However, on reading the section I wonder what are the alternatives or options if we decide against having anti-handling devices.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: If I was on the other side of the House——

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: ——I would agree with everything Senator Norris stated. When I read the Bill, I was struck by the fact that there is a play on words in the definition of what constitutes a cluster bomb. Regardless of how one considers it, a bomb is still a bomb.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: From where did the Department obtain the information that allowed it to draft this section? Senator Norris referred to cooking and stated that 4 kilograms represents quite an amount of material. I agree with him in that regard. A person standing anywhere in the vicinity of a 4-kilogram explosive device when it went off could be maimed for life by even the smallest particle of shrapnel. I...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with everything Senator Norris said. He used the phrase "acceptable level of violence". I agree there is no such thing as an acceptable level of violence. I can see from where the Minister of State is coming on this in that different countries cannot have different standards in their definitions and that we must go with global thinking on this. However, it is sloppy language,...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I look forward to a debate on the economy. I agree with Senator Regan that the important aspect is how we recapitalise. That is the core of the discussion. I am pleased the Minister is not coming forward with ideas. I know he is working hard behind the scenes and he is right not to come out until he has thoroughly investigated the way forward. We would want him to do it because this is...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I want the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government——

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I only refer to it to substantiate my point, that we want the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to outline his role and how he handles consultation with councillors. I would like to see a leader representative for all local authorities who would represent councillors in their role. Recently Mayo County Council representatives appeared before the Joint Committee on...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I made my original point to substantiate my view that we need more consultation.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and wish him well in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid. I also thank the Minister for his comprehensive presentation and outlining in detail the different aspects of the Bill. The Bill is the result of one of the greatest contributions Ireland has made to...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: As has been said repeatedly, we must have a debate on the economy. That debate should incorporate the role of FÁS and how it is briefing itself with regard to upskilling and conducting research on the types of jobs we should plan for in the future. The world of work is going to change drastically. We will have to think about what work is, how it should be done, whether jobs should be from...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am not saying they should be abolished but there should be a rationalisation whereby they can do their jobs more effectively with fewer staff. That might work. That can be part of the discussion.