Results 21-40 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: The IVEA.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I thought I said in my Second Stage contribution that that was included in the legislation, that one would contact one's own VEC, be it County Galway VEC or City of Dublin VEC. If, say, a student from some part of Dublin has a difficulty in completing the application form, a person will be assigned within each VEC to help him or her as part of a consultation process. I agree with both...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I compliment and congratulate the Minister of State and the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan, for processing this legislation so quickly through the various Stages towards completion in this House. I also thank the staff with whom, together with the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, I have had many discussions during the initial debate, because I was uneasy about...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I am saddened that we have come to the end of our programme of work, which is not complete, and I am also saddened by the turmoil of the past few weeks. I wish the Taoiseach the best of luck. God knows if anybody has been deprived of luck, he has. I have spoken many times in the House about the character assassinations that are part of modern politics. I am pleading that we talk about...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: Those chairing the debates cannot achieve balance to give the Government representative an opportunity to get its message across. Let us rid ourselves of this kind of politics. Let us get down to discussing the policies outlined in this Chamber. I wanted to debate many issues but it looks like they will not be debated. For example, where is Senator Quinn's Bill relating to subcontractors?...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (25 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I am glad that Senator Norris brought up this point because it has been brought to my notice also. Colleges like Griffith College are well known and their courses are highly validated. It is a pity they are not included in the Bill. However, I can see where the Minister was coming from when she said she would consider the private colleges. These college are set up to make a profit as...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and compliment the Government, in particular the Minister for Education and Skills, on grasping this nettle. This Bill has been under consideration for a number of years and it has taken some time to produce but at least we have some finality in terms of a decision as to how best we formalise a new policy and a new structure to deal with higher education...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: That has changed somewhat.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I could stay here talking about this issue for a long time. I would like to have the matter clarified further. If it is three years of the previous five, there is a lot to be teased out. I am not grasping it as the Minister of State says it and it may need to be teased out further. It is great that we are starting this process to modernise the grants scheme. I worked in one of the VECs...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I had hoped we would start the new year with quality debates, not the flip-flop we are witnessing across the floor, with no chance to discuss the real issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: I have an issue to raise on health information. During the Christmas break I discovered that many could not properly read the instructions on medicines and could not read health information. What is the HSE's national service plan for 2011 on health information? There are volunteers who provide courses on literacy and numeracy through the VECs. We should have a module in civic education...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: Very often they throw away instructions on medicines because they have not read them properly. I would like us to have statements in this Chamber on the HSE's strategy, in conjunction with those of the Departments of Education and Skills and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to help those who may not be good at reading or writing and do not have the confidence to deal with...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Ann Ormonde: This is an area that is being neglected and it would save taxpayers money because so much money is being wasted on prescriptions, with tablets being thrown out because people have not read or do not understand the instructions. This is an issue I would like to see pursued. We have an opportunity to commence that debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and members of the staff for your co-operation during the year and I wish you a very happy Christmas and good luck in the new year. I have frequently raised the issue of education, which I believe needs a complete overhaul. We have often asked for a debate on issues such as the Student Support Bill, which I know has completed its passage through the Dáil, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Ann Ormonde: ----how best we can improve legislation in our debates. The constructive thinking across the board when it came to the Appropriation Bill and the Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill that came through the Dáil resulted in a superb debate yesterday across the floor, and it was reasonably done by all sides. That is what this House is about. It was a pleasure to listen to it on the...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (15 Dec 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I ask the Senator to conclude.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (15 Dec 2010)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator should conclude.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (15 Dec 2010)

Ann Ormonde: When is it proposed to sit again?