Results 41-60 of 519 for speaker:Mary Ann O'Brien

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ——because it seems it is not something the Government wants to touch. Increments are another issue on which we are not supposed to touch.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: The Government is allowing the payment of increments to continue, at a cost of approximately €250 million. Since 2007 they have amounted to €1.26 billion. I assure the Minister that in the private sector I am not aware of any increments being paid. Regarding the Minister's proposed changes to disability allowance, previously the word "pause" was used. That word makes me feel very...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ——"gone", "finished", "Sorry, made a bit of a mistake." We should tear up the budget, put it in the wastepaper bin and move forward because we should not have touched any of the people mentioned. However, I agree with the Minister's proposal to make the age of payment 18 years rather than 16 because, like Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, I do not believe it is correct to give 16 year olds...

Seanad: Health Services (14 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I am here to express the need for the Minister for Health to give an assurance that adequate home care of a minimum of eight and a half hours per week will be provided for Mr. JJ Ryan thus continuing the level of care he receives from the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and allowing that charity to step back from this case, which should have happened when JJ turned four years old on 12...

Seanad: Health Services (14 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: The little boy is unable to speak. His sister is healthy and well, and he also has another little sister. There are children aged three, four and under in the home. The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation supports children from birth to four years of age. The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is struggling to meet its commitment to the children we mind, but we cannot simply drop this...

Seanad: Health Services (14 Dec 2011)

Mary Ann O'Brien: The Minister's final words gave me great comfort, because I feel that if I pass on the correspondence, we can go a little bit further. The Brothers of Charity is a wonderful organisation and I thank it so much for being in touch but, unfortunately, these little children do not really do well in respite. They normally end up with terrible reflux chest infections and they end up with worse...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group for Small Business: Statements (11 Jan 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for gathering the respective minds and the group representatives who worked within the small business sector to compile this report. I welcome the opportunity today to discuss the report, given my personal background outside this House. I am what is called a serial entrepreneur - it is all I think about. I love business and have at least ten ideas a month for...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group for Small Business: Statements (11 Jan 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I refer to red tape and the labour laws. I find it surprising that nowhere in this lengthy report is there a reference to employment tribunals or labour commissions. They are the consistent sword of Damocles hanging over every business. Employees' rights must be at the forefront of every business and they must be protected and adhered to, but so must those of employers. If I had gone out...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I move: That Seanad Éireann: - recognises the need to protect and maintain disability supports and services in order to enhance the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in Ireland; - recognises the need to protect those with a disability in our society, ensuring that people with a disability can continue to lead a fruitful and active life, despite essential cutbacks...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I apologise for my appalling manners. I was so nervous earlier that I forgot to welcome our guests. I thank them for coming and listening to us for hours and hours as we debate passionately on this subject. Unfortunately, I do not know the Minister of State well. I thought I was passionate about this but the Minister of State is so inspirational. I am so excited and I really feel we have...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I have this unbelievable defect in my personality. Kevin, who is my assistant is sitting and watching me. He is actually not watching me because he is visually impaired - he is blind. Kevin supports this motion. He is a testament to how a visually disabled person can make someone who is parachuted in here as a politician and a Senator look fantastic. Kevin has worked tirelessly on this...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his in-depth presentation. I refer to this issue in passing during other debates in this Chamber. I usually bring it up in the context of some cut that is adversely affecting individuals and groups in the State. I welcome the opportunity to discuss specifically the Croke Park agreement. As a business owner in the private sector, I am fully...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: With regard to those earning under €40,000, there should be no discussion on cutting increments. I agree that there have been enough pay cuts. What will be the yearly pension contribution bill to the State as opposed to the yearly wage bill for the 7,700 public servants who are leaving at the end of February?

Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I second the motion which includes a suggestion that the label "Irish food" be permitted only where specific criteria are satisfied. We are all aware that buying Irish benefits the economy and safeguards Irish jobs. If Irish consumers choose Irish-made products over foreign imports, it gives indigenous companies a significant and welcome boost. Our superb and ongoing record in export...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I rise this afternoon with mixed feelings to agree with Senator Bradford and previous speakers. On the one hand I compliment the Government on the successful hosting of the Chinese Vice President. I hope the visit will result in increased trade between this country and China. Also on the jobs front we hear that it is likely that PayPal will announce 1,000 new jobs in Blanchardstown in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I second the amendment on Standing Order 18 tabled by Senator Mac Conghail.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I am sorry. I beg Senator Leyden's pardon. I echo what Senator Darragh O'Brien said on the upsetting state of the children's emergency health service. The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine said this morning that children are spending more than 12 hours on trolleys. Let us stop for a moment to contemplate the situation. Most of us have children. What is more important than looking...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: News has just broken that An Bord Pleanála has turned down the Children's hospital. What can be more important than the care of sick children? Once again, listening to "Today with Pat Kenny" I heard Phillip Lynch say that we have wasted €25 million and now €35 million on the process and consultation on the new children's hospital. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health and...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (1 Mar 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. I second the amendment and plead with the Minister of State to at least go back on it, although I know the Minister has taken legal advice. When I spoke on this issue on 20 October, I pleaded for us to take this agency directive very seriously. However, there is no point in looking back now. We know how fortunate is the United...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (1 Mar 2012)

Mary Ann O'Brien: In answer to Senator Cullinane who asked whether this would amount to job losses, I met two companies in the past 24 hours. One is a multinational manufacturing exporter in the top 50 in this country with 650 employees, 300 of whom are agency workers and 350 of whom are permanent. Let me take the Senator to the boardroom in the United States where this company is run. It has companies all...