Results 261-280 of 1,311 for speaker:Sheila Terry

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: Am I entitled to make a point of order?

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: I was interrupted when I stated that I believe the Minister is abusing his position in attacking Fine Gael in such a manner and putting a spin on what was stated by Fine Gael.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: The Government is trying to accuse Fine Gael of being xenophobic or racist.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: The Minister has stated that this was not the intention. However, that is what they are trying to stir up——

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: ——and it is disingenuous.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: The Minister of State is welcome to the House for this debate. It certainly is a self-congratulatory motion and I must agree with Senator Brian Hayes in condemning Senator Feeney's opening remarks. I am surprised she raised it in the manner in which she did. While she went on to state that she believes nobody in Fine Gael is racist, it was her opening comment. If we read the report afterwards...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: I second the Fine Gael amendment. It is about time the Minister of State felt the need to address the child care issue. It is backslapping of the greatest order for Senator Feeney to state what the Government has done. She must remember how long the Government has been in office and wonder why it was not done before. There is no point in all of the time going back over what we did when we...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: The Minister of State should correct the record. We did not attack the fact this must be done. It is a question of whether it was planned for in the budget when the cost was outlined.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: Let us get the facts straight.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for a debate on the issue of tolls in light of the Minister's actions during the past couple of days. In view of the many calls for such a debate it would be extremely useful to hold it and I hope we could all learn from it. The Minister does not appear to have learned any lessons from the disaster of the West Link toll bridge. He is going to compound...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Cathaoirleach. In addition to that matter, we also need to examine public private partnerships, how well they are working and if they provide value for money to taxpayers, which I believe they do not. It would be a most worthwhile debate.

Seanad: Strategy for Men's Health: Statements. (25 Jan 2006)

Sheila Terry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his presentation. I thank Senator Glynn for requesting this debate. The debate is worthwhile because this is an area that has been neglected. I am not sure why this is so, but perhaps it is because men have not called strongly for debate and necessary services. Traditionally women's voices have been stronger in the this regard and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Sheila Terry: I want to express my dismay at how the Government is dragging its feet on bringing about legislation for civil partnerships. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform have supported this issue. Surely they are not lacking the courage to introduce legislation at this stage. Setting up another committee is an attempt to drag its feet. The all-party committee has...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: On my amendment, will the Minister lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas in three months?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 6: In page 5, before section 8, to insert the following new section: "8.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within three months of the commencement of this Act, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on maternity benefit.". I would like to hear what the Minister has to say on this amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I welcome these benefits, they are an improvement on what we had and I hope such improvements will continue in the coming years so we can enable women to stay at home for up to a year in the long term. We also want to see fathers being more involved and would welcome paternity leave. I am concerned, however, about delays with the Parental Leave Bill. All of these measures are of benefit to...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 8: In page 6, before section 10, to insert the following new section: "10.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within three months of the commencement of this Act, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on benefit for one-parent families.". This benefit greatly helps one-parent families who are vulnerable because of their financial situation and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his reply and I agree that more work must be done to pursue fathers to ensure they contribute to the maintenance of their children. Can he tell us about the work being done in the area? What measures does the Department take to pursue fathers and how successful is it? Obviously it is not very successful so where are we falling down? It is not just about maintenance,...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I have a supplementary question. A figure of 14% is very low. In respect of one-parent families, in what percentage is there recognition of the father on the birth certificate? I understand a mother can choose whether to include the name of a child's father on the certificate. Is there a large percentage of unknown fathers who cannot be pursued?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 9: In page 9, before section 12, to insert the following new section: "12.—The Minister for Social and Family affairs shall, within three months of the commencement of this Act, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the review of social welfare payments for carers.". The Bill ensures far greater support for carers and means they will be allowed to earn...