Results 301-320 of 873 for speaker:Averil Power

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: The Minister agreed to the 60%.

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I thank Senator Barrett for giving me some of his time. Like Senator O'Brien, I was horrified when I got an e-mail late last night from one of the pension groups concerned saying that the Minister had signed the commencement order. We had heard last week that this issue was being examined again, that the deferred pensioners had met with the Tánaiste and positive noises had been made...

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I said that. We both said that.

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: We have a point of order.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: We are not being disruptive for its own sake, but we have made the point. I know there has not been agreement with the rest-----

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: On a point of order, will Senators have an opportunity to speak on Fifth Stage?

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I take this opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, why we are opposing this Bill. As I pointed out in the course of the debate, 90% of the Bill relates to the putting in place of an extraordinary new procedure for the benefit of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, whereby that institution, which is not entitled to call...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I second the amendment. It is important that there be greater transparency in the area of voluntary contributions. Parents face great difficulties on this and many are not in favour of them - they are classed as voluntary but many parents feel they have no choice. This was highlighted previously in the education committee when we discussed the issue. Some schools have a system where a...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: What of the minor works grant?

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: This is an important issue as there are always difficulties when people fall through gaps in a student grant scheme. I appreciate that there must be generalised rules that are fair to everyone and set criteria but there are always problems relating to people who, for good reason, cannot live at home. Some people leave home because of serious issues there. When I was student union president...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: The issue is that the language in section 7(4) is broad in that it refers to information in relation to: (i) recognised schools in respect of the academic achievement of students, or (ii) education or training facilities in respect of the academic achievement of learners..."Education or training facilities" is extremely broad and covers everything that happens within a school environment. I...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I support Senator Quinn's comment about not amending the Bill here. I understand the Minister has explained that it was not ready in time in the Department, but I genuinely do not understand why we have the Bill back if the amendments are not ready. Perhaps the Minister could elaborate on why there is a rush to get this legislation through. To be fair, there is a lot of education expertise...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I also support the remarks made by Senators Quinn, Barrett and Craughwell about their concerns about this Bill. Indeed I made such remarks myself on Committee Stage. It is clear to everybody here in this House that this is a Bill for the Royal College of Surgeons and it should say that. We should be up-front about what this Bill is actually designed to achieve. It is called the Education...

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information Bill) 2014: First Stage (11 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information Bill) 2014: First Stage (11 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to allow adopted persons to obtain a certificate of birth and to access information relating to their identity, origins and the circumstances of their birth, subject to reasonable safeguards to address the position of the natural parents and of the adoptive parents of such adopted persons; to allow natural parents a right to...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I want to move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 14 be taken before No. 1. No. 14 is the Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill which I, Senator van Turnhout and Senator Healy Eames published last week. The Bill is designed to do four things: to give all adoptees a right to their birth certificates and other personal records once they reach the age of 18, a right adoptees in...

Seanad: Recognition of State of Palestine: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Averil Power: I move: That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine and do everything it can at an international level to help secure a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.I thank the Leader for accepting my amendment to the Order of Business so that we can consider this motion. I understand the Leader is prepared to accept the...

Seanad: Recognition of State of Palestine: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Averil Power: It is important, in the aftermath of Israel's latest assault on Gaza, that the international community sends out a clear message of support for the Palestinian people.

Seanad: Recognition of State of Palestine: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Averil Power: It is important we send out that message today. I believe that we have done so and I thank Members on all sides of the House for doing so.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Averil Power: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 58, motion No. 9, be taken before No. 1. This would ensure the Seanad would consider our motion which calls on the Government to recognise formally the state of Palestine and do everything it can to help to secure a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order that the citizens of both states can live...