Results 1-20 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach. (12 Sep 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I second the nomination of Senator Ryan. I am proud to do so because of his record in the Seanad and his work in keeping equality issues, which are close to my heart, to the fore.

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (12 Sep 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, to the Chamber. I also wish to add my congratulations to the new Cathaoirleach, Senator Kiely, and to the new leaders and whips of the groups. I support the Bill. This referendum is being held in a different context to the previous one because of the work that has been done to address the issues of military neutrality and the democratic deficit....

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 1: After "brought forward" to add "and that the sub-committee first of all makes proposals which ensure that Seanad Éireann in its structures and procedures observes both the letter and the spirit of equal status legislation particularly but not exclusively with regard to discrimination on grounds of age." This amendment is being moved on behalf of Senators Ryan,...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister of State for attending the debate. I wish to bring three points to the attention of Members and the Minister. First, all those politicians, including the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and prominent educationalists now calling for the reintroduction of third level fees have apparently not even read the report of Clancy and Wall on the social...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage. (16 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Bill and thank the other parties for their acceptance of it. I, too, commend the work of the Forum on Europe, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, on its work in bringing the debate on the future of Europe around the country. This has been a positive departure and is something on which we should build in the future. This Bill is also important from the point of view of engaging the...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (23 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House for this debate. I support the comments of my Labour Party colleagues and the Fine Gael Members. I remind Members of the Labour Party proposals which were ridiculed by members of the Government parties during the general election, but which are still relevant and vital. In light of cutbacks, increased charges and people dying on waiting...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support Senator Mansergh's call for a debate on rail freight. Having recently been in an accident involving a truck, I realise how lucky I was to come out of it alive. The increased use of rail freight to take more trucks off the roads is an important safety issue. Unfortunately, many accidents involving trucks cause deaths on our roads.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (24 Oct 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I am hopeful about the work he will do in this area, even though I am a member of the Opposition. I agree with him that there is a need for a multifaceted approach to tackling crime. One aspect of tackling crime which was also raised by Senator Walsh is the role local authorities can play in preventing it. It is important that local authorities are...

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I live in and represent Lucan and Quarryvale, areas currently the focus of investigation by the Flood tribunal in regard to political decisions made in respect to land rezoning. This area has a huge population and the decisions had a major effect on people's lives, sometimes for the worst. There have been implications for the availability of housing, house prices, facilities or lack of, and...

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: Having listened to the comments made by Senator Mansergh, perhaps the Labour Party should start a recruitment drive for new members in the Seanad. I support the Fine Gael motion and condemn the cutbacks that have already taken place, including those in my own community in Lucan and Clondalkin. I agree with the view that the cutbacks will have a detrimental effect on the employment prospects...

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I wish to share time with Senator Cummins and thank the Minister for coming to the House. He stated here and at the LAMA conference at the weekend, where I raised the issue, that he supported the retention of rail freight. While I welcome his pronouncements, action matters, not words. His view of public transport is very important. As Senator O'Toole said, it cannot be treated simply a matter...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support the call by Senator Finucane for the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to the House to discuss how cutbacks will affect local authority budgets next year, and how the consequences of that may include increases in the unfair double tax of waste charges and less accountability of local public services.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support Senator Minihan's call for the relevant Minister to attend the House to discuss flood alleviation measures. In November 2000, severe flooding occurred in Lucan and in response the local county council carried out substantial flood alleviation work. Further work is to be undertaken in January 2003. This year the Lucan area seems largely to have escaped the deluge.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: That demonstrates that investment in local infrastructure pays off in the long term.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I wish to raise a few concerns about the Bill. Section 11 allows the authority to delegate certain of its functions, but that may have an impact on staff who may find that their functions have been delegated to Tourism Ireland, for example. Bord Fáilte has an environmental role and in certain cases it can object to planning applications, yet this is not referred to in the Bill. In addition,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support previous calls on the need for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on the cutbacks in education affecting second and primary levels. However, I would also like debated, as a matter of urgency, the cutbacks affecting the third level sector. There have been cuts in grants for buildings and capital projects. The postponement of research programmes and the cutbacks in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I am nearly finished. I find it amazing that anyone could argue that access to third level education could be increased by making people pay for it and by making it a privilege and a commodity people must buy. I reiterate that this will impact badly on low and middle income PAYE workers—

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: To my knowledge, the first Irish politician to call for free third level education was James Connolly. Let no one fool themselves that bringing back fees is a progressive measure.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister, Deputy Cullen, said the Government is committed to making Part V of the legislation work and that his aim is to remove obstacles and eliminate rigidities that are slowing down supply. I do not accept that. This Bill is a backward step. The Government should have held its ground with regard to the social housing provisions of the Principal Act. It is sending the wrong signals to...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I agree with speakers that we need a multifaceted approach to the problem. I also agree with the Minister of State that it is a case of the individual's attitude combined with a growing tide of public intolerance for a practice that should not be considered a social norm. I would go further and say that we should not become reactionary as a result of the information being made available about...