Results 161-180 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science and thank him for listening so attentively to Senators' contributions. This is an important debate because, as the media have reported extensively in recent days, the CAO has experienced a huge increase in applications. This is a welcome development on one level because it reveals the strong education ethos in...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I endorse the comments made on many issues raised. Yesterday I touched on the quality of democracy in this country on the Order of Business. Senators Harris and Alex White referred again to this issue earlier. As Senator Harris said, there is no doubt that there are insiders and outsiders and that is the perception, which is a shame. We need a debate on our democracy and on the nature and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: The resignation yesterday of George Lee made me think about what is the essence and definition of a politician. Do we require letters after our names? This seems to be the projection as a result of this. George Lee felt he was so highly qualified that his talent was not used, and he used the word "talent".

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: What about those very fine politicians who do not have letters after their names? Do they not have talent? The Seanad could debate the politician's role in making a contribution, no matter what it is, in either House of the Oireachtas. We should discuss people's personalities as well as their having or not having qualifications. Everyone elected to these Houses is very well qualified to...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: People come from abroad who are not properly trained to carry out these operations. The Minister, Deputy Harney, when she has an opportunity, should come to the House to discuss this very important issue. I call for regulation and licensing of such clinics.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and two aspects of the Bill. I listened to Senator Quinn and agree with him on many of the points he raised which I will be endorsing. I recognise the need to improve and regulate dog breeding establishments and the management of dog breeding. We all are well aware of the disgusting images of illegal puppy farming and the appalling conditions in which some...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: It is strange that he should decide to do so midstream. However, if he does so and acknowledges that such groups do not rear puppies for commercial purposes, I will have no difficulties in that regard. It goes without saying we all want to protect and ensure the welfare of young dogs. Therefore, the legislation is to be welcomed, but the greyhound coursing groups and the hunting...

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: One and a half minutes.

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: That is agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with those who referred to the lack of proper standards in residential institutions. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Moloney, is extremely willing to discuss this issue and did so again on radio this morning. He is introducing legislation designed to make these institutions subject to examination by independent inspectors. Is it necessary for...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I move: That Seanad Éireann fully supports the Government in its efforts to assist the people of Haiti in the aftermath of recent earthquakes. I have come from a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, at which we heard from representatives from Concern, Haven, the Red Cross and a few others. I commend them on the fine contributions they made. We heard about what they were doing...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I appreciate the Minister of State's interest in the matter under discussion. He listened to the contribution of each Member, as was clear from the way he responded to the matter and the comments of various speakers. It shows clearly that he understands the problem very well. What happened in Haiti was a massive disaster. People have lost their loved ones, their houses and possessions....

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I acknowledge the presence of the Kenneally family and pay tribute to the late Billy. The Kenneally family has been a household name for me since I was a child growing up in Waterford. That three generations of the Kenneally family have been involved in politics since the 1940s says a lot about their commitment to the country. The late Billy Kenneally was elected to the Dáil in 1965 and...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Bacik's call for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to deal with the many issues raised, although I would not expect him to answer all of the questions I wish to ask. I refer to the role of the universities and raise the question of whether there are too many of them; whether there are too many institutes of technology and whether there is...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Given that the House has a full agenda for today and tomorrow, perhaps the Minister will issue a statement on the reason the bypass cannot be opened, even temporarily, over the Christmas break. I support Senator Hanafin's view on the reform of the Seanad to deal with European business. Despite passing the Lisbon treaty several months ago, the House has had few opportunities to discuss EU...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: That is nasty.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I concur with Senator Cummins on the opening of the M9 at the Castledermot junction. I, too, travel the road and at this time of year it takes an hour to pass through the town. If the Minister is unable to come before the House today or tomorrow, he should issue a statement on the matter. I do not understand how the National Roads Authority works. On several occasions, at local authority...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, to the Seanad to listen to the statements on this report. I echo many of the points made by Senator Buttimer. We are singing from the same hymn sheet on this issue. I do not know how to discuss this report. I have scanned it. I could not read it because the litany of abuse and cruelty in every chapter upset me greatly, particularly as this...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I also compliment the Taoiseach on his stand last week with the stakeholders on how best we could move forward and the notion of the 12 days' unpaid leave. In view of my own past profession, I could not see how it would work out and I compliment him for taking the lead and stating that was not a runner. Senator Alex White suggested today that we were not having debates here, and I agree with...