Results 221-240 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Minister and agree with Senator Keane that these amendments are very welcome. We have had a series of tribunals and the public rightly claim their reports ended up on the shelf with no action ever taken. To see action taken directly on the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal with this legislation is indeed welcome, as is the general thrust of bringing more clarity,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: It is good to be last and not least. It is a memorable day for politics. It is rather strange when we consider that the Bill brings together two things that may not have any commonality - the idea of having more women in politics, and the need for greater transparency, accountability and clarity on donations and how we run our business. However, when one examines them more closely they may...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I take the opportunity to add my voice of welcome and support for the wording of the children's referendum. The Minister, her officials, staff in her Department and many others have worked tirelessly to ensure that the wording is a good one and that is why we have seen such a warm and positive welcome over the past 24 hours. However, a good start is only half the battle and we all have an...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I join others in calling for a debate about policing. The brutal death of a kind and gentle man, Mr. Eugene Gillespie, in Sligo is a reminder to all of us that life is fragile. Although we can never hold a Minister directly responsible, the way in which police forces or gardaí have assistance and the technology and funding they need is something we must debate. As Senator Noone mentioned,...

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister of State for his attendance. As other Members have noted, he has given them a good account of his visit, which has brought home to them the importance of being on the ground. I believe Senator Mac Conghail referred to how there is a sense of powerlessness. When something of this scale involving thousands of people in such difficulty takes place, it is very hard to...

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister of State for his attendance. As other Members have noted, he has given them a good account of his visit, which has brought home to them the importance of being on the ground. I believe Senator Mac Conghail referred to how there is a sense of powerlessness. When something of this scale involving thousands of people in such difficulty takes place, it is very hard to...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, to the House.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I remind Senators that group spokespersons have eight minutes, other Senators have five minutes and I will ask the Minister of State to conclude not later than 5.50 p.m.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: It depends. If there is a second vote it may take some time. This is an eight minute call so ---

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank both Mr. Gunning and Mr. Egan for the presentation. I have a couple of queries. I appreciate that many questions have been asked. Reference was made on page 11 of the presentation to securing planning for wind farm projects. I am interested in Coillte’s strategy on wind farms. It is not the case of one getting out of bed and deciding to have one wind farm today and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Yet Mr. Gunning said when the company fed into the NewERA process, it offered a preliminary valuation of the estate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Yet, Coillte stayed out of the discussion about the value.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Yes, but the company did provide an estimate, albeit a preliminary one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: So that was not really preliminary in the sense that a company was employed to carry out a valuation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Senator Mary Ann O'Brien raised the question earlier about the period of between 50 to 80 years in respect of the harvesting rights. Is that in place because we do not know who makes the decision about the 50 to 80 years and when? As the Senator rightly pointed out, this is extremely important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foresty Industry: Discussion with Coillte (2 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: What does that mean? I understand it is there but is Coillte working to 50, 60 or 65 years? Surely it makes an enormous difference?

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Before I cut to the chase, to borrow the Leader's phrase, I thank Senators Katherine Zappone and Feargal Quinn for their excellent work and effort in drawing up their proposal for Seanad reform. It will prove a useful document for the furtherance of this important debate. However, I am obliged to reiterate the position I have made clear, namely, that I do not believe we should be having...

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I am entitled to my view in this regard. However, in the spirit of the debate, I will offer a suggestion for Members' consideration. If each Senator, with the assistance of Senators Zappone and Quinn and the document they have prepared, were to host a debate on this issue in the area in which they live, we would immediately have 60 forums in which members of the public could engage in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Before I address my question to the Leader, with the indulgence of the Chair, I would like to thank those people who worked with me while I was Whip for the Labour Party group. In particular, I thank the Leader, Senator Cummins, the Deputy Leader, Senator Bacik, the Whip, Senator Coghlan, and the staff of the Seanad Office for all their help, patience and courtesy. I am delighted we have a...