Results 61-80 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: That is the bottom line. I do not want anyone to do it to me either.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I want issues to be discussed in the House. I support Senator Hannigan who called for a debate on overseas aid. I do not know where we are going with it, but this country has been good in that regard in bad times. Perhaps we should try to keep up the momentum in Irish Aid. After that I wish to discuss issues if we can get down to whatever is left. Let us cut out the personality...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome this morning's contribution from the Governor of the Central Bank. Let us hope that once the relevant representatives become involved, politics will be removed from the equation. Let us now engage in real discussion and positive thinking. This is a great country and the Irish are a race of fighters. We are not going to go down. People should not engage in the type of...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Kieran occupied the office next to mine and every Tuesday afternoon he would come in for a chat. He would chat about how he had walked the land during the previous week and would tell me all about his cows. We used to chat about cows regularly because I told him I loved cows. I also told him I had a lovely painting of a cow and promised to bring it in for him to see. He said to me that if...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with speakers who say the financial situation has deteriorated greatly and I wish the Minister for Finance every success in his negotiations this afternoon. I read an article by one of the leading journalists in The Irish Times today and I was impressed by his approach. He said the international media are not accurately communicating the Irish position and indicated areas we could...

Seanad: European Council: Statements (9 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the opportunity to participate in the debate on the recent European Council meeting which I believe re-affirmed the key role the European Union is taking in responding to some of the greatest challenges we face, be they economic, environmental or international. I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on the roles...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: The discussion seems to centre on the meaning of consensus and how we can reach it. Far be it from me to lecture anyone on the definition of "consensus", but I hope that, as a result of Commissioner Rehn's suggestion, we will sit around the table to try to tease out matters. There is a bigger picture and one-upmanship is not what I want for the country. I want us all to reach agreement...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I thank Senator Cummins for introducing the Bill. Perhaps his actions might focus minds on how we might bring about reform of the Seanad. We have been down this road so many times and, in such circumstances, it is absolutely appalling that we are discussing the matter again. When I spoke at the annual conference of LAMA on this matter, I stated I would support the Bill. I do support it...

Seanad: Restructuring of Vocational Education Committees: Statements (19 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: It is now the junior certificate.

Seanad: Restructuring of Vocational Education Committees: Statements (19 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: This is a subject which is close to my heart. As a teacher and a career guidance counsellor, I worked on a wide variety of educational courses and disadvantage problems within the VEC system. I was also a member of County Dublin VEC for nine years. I am well equipped to speak on this subject, therefore. I pay tribute to the innovative and professional people involved in the VEC system over...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I support the call by Senator O'Donovan to discuss the reasons so many young nurses must emigrate while at the same time a number of non-EU professionals continue to occupy nursing positions in hospitals. While they are professional people and it was fine for them to do so in good times, I believe as a philosophy of life that we must look after our own first. Perhaps we should have a debate...

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and this opportunity to do some thinking on the new organisational review programme. I also welcome the review, although I was not familiar with it until it was put on the agenda and I began reading about it. This discussion is timely. Given the major national economic and social challenges, it is more important than ever for Departments and Government...

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: That said, public servants must be challenged. They know that any reform must come from within. In all walks of life, they are well able to examine how best to make changes to develop the country's future, to get more effective use out of information and communications technology, to improve the way in which management does its business and to make effective use of resources and technology....

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I will try to come down after all that to say that I agree we need economic consensus. I agree with the idea of a cross-party forum. There is room for vision and change. The public want it. We are here to reflect the public's thinking at this stage. To get our country back, we need that cross-party discussion to tease out how best we can improve our economic position. Otherwise we will...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Last week and today Senators have argued that all parties should come together with a common purpose. Senator Harris brought the issue up in his article at the weekend. We need constructive co-operation. Nobody has a monopoly of ideas in any party and it is time to put petty politics out of the agenda for a short while.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator should allow me have a say. I am sick to death of this type of one-upmanship in politics. It involves putting down colleagues for one's own good at any cost. That seems to be a core activity in this Chamber and I do not like it. It should not be so. I love the cut and thrust of good politics but I am sick to death of the approach to politics where people look to destroy their...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I am not into that but I am into constructive co-operation at all costs. I also want to raise the issue of overseas development through Irish aid as it relates to the United Nations summit. I would like the relevant Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, to come to the Chamber to give us an update on the challenge and commitment of 0.7% of GDP for...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I was also approached on this subject by some stakeholders who welcomed the provision for a review. It is very good that the Minister will allow an opportunity to assess how the legislation is working in practice. However, it will be necessary to consult stakeholders, not the Department alone. That is what a review is all about. I hope the Minister will succumb to our way of thinking on...