Results 101-120 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (11 May 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I commend the Senators who congratulated the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on her decision to ban certain legal substances. I go along with that and I hope that ultimately the premises selling them will be closed down because that is the wish of the majority of people in the country. Some time ago, I raised the issue of private cosmetic clinics. I am not calling for a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Today I listened to the chairman of NAMA comment on the agency's dealings with the first phase of developers. He talked about the many ill-conceived and ill-designed structures such as office blocks and hotels that were surplus to requirements. I seek a debate on the role of Irish culture in revitalising the country. I am talking about the physical fabric of the country, not our writers or...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I endorse all the points made on the role of politics, an issue on which I have requested a debate on many occasions. Yesterday we engaged in a long debate on the role of women in politics. Having heard about what went on at the GRA conference and become familiar with the contents of the speech the president of that organisation proposed to deliver, I am obliged to ask whether anyone would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I, too, support the call for a debate on the issue of pensions. The question of whether pension payments should be made to sitting Members of the Oireachtas has arisen time and again over the past 12 months. The issue was highlighted in the media at the weekend. I never saw anything like it. The media were like vultures after a kill in their pursuit of the Commissioner who was in the...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements. (27 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and wish her well in her new role. I acknowledge her personal interest in this issue. I also compliment Senators Bacik, Fitzgerald and McDonald on their contributions and Senator Bacik, in particular, on driving the report and bringing it to this point. Members have debated this issue many times. I have been a Member of the Seanad since 1993 and in every...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements. (27 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I have only just begun.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements. (27 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I had hope to raise many points. I refer to the five Cs, one of which is cash. This can be overcome through legislation. However, confidence is a major issue. As for culture, this is changing because women are entering all fields of life. They are attending universities, acquiring engineering and science degrees and reaching the top. Unquestionably, there is no barrier in respect of...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements. (27 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Although women will be on the ground, my point is that they are doing beautifully this way. While their numbers still are low, they should keep trying. I am glad a new Minister of State is in place who will drive this issue all the way up the agenda.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with all the points raised about the banking issue. I agree we should have a debate, particularly when one reads about the behaviour of the senior bankers and about the Fingleton million. There is significant public anger, given the loss of jobs. I support the call for an urgent debate. I am not sure if the debate could be held today so I will not be supporting the amendment to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I have given my reason. I wish to raise another issue which is to do with the courses run by FÁS. It seems the marking criteria for some of these courses has not been followed and a review of those courses has taken place. I ask for a debate about the kind of courses being run by FÁS, their content and cost and how applicants are being assessed. It was the case that people were used as...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I endorse the points made by Senator Mullen. There have been calls in the House previously for debates on the perception of politics. We must have a debate on that issue. The professionalism of politics has been downgraded to the extent that we are considered to be nobodies in the world, regardless of one's political party. I have also on many occasions sought a debate on Irish society....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: All skills training and courses should be part of the education sector. I have always believed that. I would welcome a debate on that issue. The Leader should also arrange debates on the future of society and the future of politics in this country. We have a new Cabinet and it is to be hoped it will steer the country in the right direction.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: No, that did not happen.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I would like to share time. I will take five minutes and leave the remainder to my colleague, Senator Mooney.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State. I am glad of the opportunity to say a few words on the Finance Bill. I congratulate the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his grasp of this serious position and the tight measures he has introduced, which must be welcomed. That is reflected internationally. I would like to focus on an area of the Bill that relates to promoting Ireland as a good...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with all the points raised on the passport issue. It is a disgrace that so many people who are trying to obtain their passports are losing money in the process. I ask them to abandon their protest while the talks are in progress. I am not sure we will be able to get the Minister to come to the House today. I would love him to come to the House today if at all possible but it must...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: He has already spoken out on the issue and will speak out again. He will come to the House today if it is possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I ask for a debate at another time on reform of the leaving certificate curriculum. I refer to a very interesting article in today's newspaper. We must question whether the curriculum is suitable for the educational needs of today and I do not believe it is. We do not know how to change the leaving certificate. We should use this Chamber to discuss the future, IDA's Horizon 2020,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with the points raised about amending the Intoxicating Liquor Act in order to bring it into line with today's thinking. Of course we must be aware of Good Friday. As someone who grew up with the values of Good Friday, I feel it is possible to accommodate both points of view, maintaining the values of Good Friday while allowing pubs to open for large events such as the planned rugby...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I would certainly not want to go down the road of the quota system. The issue of grade inflation in schools and universities was mentioned last week. In view of the planned meetings of the education unions around Easter, perhaps that would be a good time to discuss more fundamental issues. Why do young people entering third level institutions not have a more rounded education? They may...