Results 1-20 of 519 for speaker:Mary Ann O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I had not intended to speak but the Cathaoirleach indicated that he wanted me to do so and manners are important in all of our lives. The Senators used beautiful words when referring to our amazing leaders, and the ushers, but "thank you" is what I want to say to everyone. My time here has been the fastest five years of my life. I am a confident person in the food business, and out and...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: A man who deserves to be honoured, praised and remembered today is the gracious veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan who, as we all know, died after a short battle with cancer.This divine Irishman from Limerick, born with a sunny disposition, stole all our hearts with his beautiful distinctive voice. He had the ability to make emigrants in Britain feel at home during the Troubles. One always...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I was asked to a party tomorrow because there is a gentleman here who started in the Seanad in 1993. I wanted to stand to say to him that we have been one of the most fortunate senates in the world to have him as a Senator. He is sitting over there, his name is Senator Feargal Quinn and I will say a few words about him. A brilliant businessman, the king of customer service and an...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: My goodness, I am pre-empting. I only want to say I started a little business and I was not particularly great or clever. I had an idea, a dream. The first shop I called into was Superquinn in Lucan where one of Feargal's men, Mr. John Foy, gave me my first little chance behind the bakery and I went on to serve all of Feargal's 16 stores. Today my business has a turnover of €30...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I want to talk again today about the EPA. Section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act 1992 provides for the immunity of the EPA, while section 16 provides for the indemnification of the director general, directors and other persons in it. In its in-depth review in 2010 the EPA stated doubts had been expressed about the constitutionality of this immunity and whether it was compatible with...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Minister for bringing the much-welcomed Horse Racing Ireland Bill to the House. Like other Senators, I am looking forward to seeing it through this evening so that it can be passed by both Houses before the Taoiseach decides to call the general election. I hope the Minister returns. While he might not want to be Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, he has my support in...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Horseracing is a passion and love of mine. I welcome the Bill and in particular the sections that strengthen the corporate governance, transparency and accountability, with clarification of the roles of HRI, the RRB and that they will come under the codes of best practice. It is the only way to go for the industry. While the Minister has probably not had the chance to see it, this morning...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Good. I am not a legal person but neither is the Minister. In business to me the word “consult” is very soft. I am keen to have this legislation bring in new rules, transparency and accountability with the Turf Club making the rules while HRI doers all the other regulatory jobs. It is great that we are going to save money with one Department collecting all the money. Coming...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I wish to raise the issue of drugs and criminality. Senators heard about the terrible incident in Cork this week involving six people who were left in hospital by the drug 2C-B. They were so psychotic that they were naked, the walls were covered in blood and they did not even realise that one of them was having a heart attack on the floor. This morning's "Today with Sean O'Rourke" on RTE...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to call in the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, to discuss the EPA. There is a considerable amount to say and I think some other Senators will support me. Last week's "Prime Time" programme contained a very good report on Portlaoise. Senator Whelan has worked hard on this issue and I congratulate...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Since that plant has been in operation, there has been much pollution, ill health and animal ill health and farms have had to be closed in that area. This started in the early 1990s. The EPA commissioned a report in 1996 that cost the taxpayer €5 million-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: -----yet nothing has been done, but everyone who works high up in the EPA enjoys total immunity. This has to stop. The Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, in her closing speech to the debate on that Bill, stated "I can assure and inform Senator O'Brien that the Minister has confirmed to me that the Department will expedite the completion of the current review and a comprehensive report on...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Innovation 2020: Statements (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I will probably not need eight minutes. I thank the Minister of State for coming in to debate this excellent subject, which focuses on the future of our country and on our youth. Picking up on Senator White's very good speech earlier, I bring the Minister of State's attention to the New York Academy of Sciences, which has announced the global STEM alliance. This alliance brings world-class...

Seanad: Innovation 2020: Statements (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I wish to take up Senator Quinn's point on the food issue and also the excellent, thought-provoking documentary on sugar. If the Minister of State has not seen it, he should watch it. I know he is not Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine but he could be one of these days. I am a sort of a wannabe nutritionist and have been since 1990. I love nutrition and am very interested in...

Seanad: Innovation 2020: Statements (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: There is so much happening out there. The world is changing so fast. Let us not be Paddy last on this one. There are some amazing companies in Ireland today. It is not just in STEM, although it all plugs in together.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing Industry: Horse Racing Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland (15 Dec 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the witnesses for attending. We had this conversation last week and Deputies Ferris and Ó Cuív will really have to come on the road with me. I do not know where the words "snob" and "elitist" come from. I do not know any lads doing harness racing but I know people doing showjumping, eventing and horse racing with thoroughbreds. Deputy Penrose talked about the ordinary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing Industry: Horse Racing Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland (15 Dec 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: As Mr. Kavanagh showed us, and forgetting about elitists and snobs, rural Ireland is in a lot of trouble and it does not take a genius to see it. We have a €1 billion industry and stand with the best in the world in fourth place. We have a reputation. I do not know how to make the analogy without appearing to be a snob but I was never allowed to keep my ponies anywhere near a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Minister for attending to present the Finance Bill to us. As with Senator White, I wish to talk about the changes the Minister is effecting. I was delighted to see he started the journey. He took a step but never even got his shoe off the ground. He intends to reduce the capital gains tax rate for Irish entrepreneurs should they ever reach the welcome day on which they wish to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Bord Bia (1 Dec 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Why not have Wicklow hill lamb?