Results 281-300 of 519 for speaker:Mary Ann O'Brien

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I welcome the discussion on this EU directive. I do not wish to make an open reference to the forthcoming referendum, but I will point out that this is a perfect example of a matter that needs attention and serious discussion in the Oireachtas. This is not the first time this directive has been discussed in this Chamber. I would guess that the amount of time we have spent on it is greatly...

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Sorry. I beg your pardon. I was confusing Senators Leyden and Hayden.

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: The record will show that I was referring to Senator Hayden. I will conclude by coming back to the point made by Senator van Turnhout when she drew a very good analogy with drugs, which is that we have to start somewhere. I ask the Minister of State to ensure this matter is placed on the A list so that we can get it up and running before 18 December next.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I wish to confirm that in the context of remarks I made on the issue of hard-core pornography on Monday's Order of Business, I failed to attribute credit for some of them to the excellent journalist Eleanor Mills of The Sunday Times. I was in contact with Ms Mills this morning and I take this opportunity to urge Senators to read her article. I wish to place on record the fact that it was...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: We need investigative journalists such as Ms Mills because they bring issues such as that which was the subject of the article in question into the light. I thank the Leader for stating on Monday's Order of Business that he would make time available for a debate on this issue, to which Senator Clune referred during the course of last evening's debate. I welcome the indication from the...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am aware that yesterday, the Minister, Deputy Reilly, referred to two reports from two respected medical journals which stated that the unborn do not experience pain until post-29 weeks in one report or 24 weeks gestation in the second report. I have done a lot of research on this topic since we first tabled the amendment. I have 22 pages of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I welcome Senator Naughton to the Seanad and am delighted to have her on board. I echo my female colleagues in saying girl power is good and the men adore us, of course. We are working with the issue of pregnancy at the moment and a risk to the mother's life and we are working with the unborn. In respect of the born children of our country, I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: We all want to get onto section 9. That is the good news. In response to Senator Cullinane, who has brought the matter up twice, none of us ever wants to deny a woman in this country who is physically in trouble and whose life is at risk treatment that will save her life.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: This morning we discussed foetal pain, of which I was not aware and on which I will not dwell because I am slightly out of order. We have found that Senator Healy Eames has proof regarding foetal pain and the Minister for Health wants to see that evidence and consider it over the weekend. If this is all that comes out of this morning's deliberations - I apologise, and I hope we will get on...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: That is why there are checks and balances.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister for his response. I wish to clarify the gestational term. As we are aware there is no gestational term in the Bill. I am heartened by the Minister's last response where he said he spoke to the master of the Rotunda or Holles Street this afternoon. We are clarifying that after 12 weeks the baby is induced and delivered and if the baby's life...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I know but we said this morning that 23, 24, 25 weeks is the cusp of viability. We all want to know that if there is a chance for this little baby, for every single doctor who is ever going to be involved in saving the life of a mother, under sections 9 or 7, that the baby will be given every opportunity to have a viable life and to live to its potential. That is what I understood from what...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: With regard to viability and term limits, the Minister mentioned 24 weeks. That is where I have a problem. There is no term limit referred to in the Bill. I have a friend, to whom I can introduce the Minister, who is just graduating from Trinity College, Dublin. She was born at 23 weeks, but the Minister, who is a doctor, mentioned 24 weeks. We must go back to that. I acknowledge that...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I want to second Senator Healy Eames-----

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I want to speak on the issue of pain. We have medical evidence from 17 weeks onwards. I cannot for the life of me understand why the Minister will not put this in the legislation. He said earlier in his reply to Senator Healy Eames's first contribution that he did not want to prescribe rules for the obstetrician. This legislation is certainly prescribing what to do for the obstetrician...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: The Cathaoirleach can correct me if this is not appropriate, but I believe we have the same issue with the fact that there is no gestational term in this legislation. We are talking about 17 weeks with regard to pain but, again, we do not want to make any rules for the obstetrician, so does he opt for 22 weeks, 23 weeks, 21 weeks or 24 weeks? When does he decide? Why does this poor man or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion with the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency (16 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion with the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency (16 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: As far as I am aware, with Guaranteed Irish, 50% has to be manufactured or have value-added in Ireland where Love Irish Food is far more stringent. Mr. Shine can clarify the exact position. We do know of brands that are made in Poland and Portugal that have a Guaranteed Irish stamp.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion with the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency (16 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their contributions. Deputy Deering and Deputy Barry have raised most of my points so I will be brief. I have spoken confidentially to a few small suppliers. I am a supplier and I employ 110 people. I know how difficult it is for suppliers. I have a lot of friends in the food industry because I have been in business for 21 years. Some of the...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for attending to listen to us today. I also thank Deputy Jerry Buttimer and the health committee for all of the work put into this Bill. The Bill has been the subject of much debate during recent months and dominated the political agenda. The abortion issue is one that always causes heated debate, with extreme voices on all sides preventing a mature...