Results 101-120 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: But not the section, which is opposed?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I look forward to hearing the replies to the questions asked by Senator Darragh O'Brien. Second, the Minister has said a number of times that it is important to improve our system because the spend within the current system does not lead to the outcomes we want. I agree with that. The Minister also said that the change in the age of the youngest child, which is effectively the provision we...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: We oppose some of the proposed changes to entitlement to mortgage interest supplement. With this amendment it seems the Minister is introducing a new concept in social welfare law, namely, deferred need. As the law stands, if people have a mortgage and lose their job they can apply for assistance from the State to help pay their mortgage when they lose their job or when the need arises....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I am in agreement with the Minister on much of what she has said. However, I think the argument in some ways is effectively to force the lenders to ensure that they are participating in that code of conduct. It is to force the lenders to do that for a period of a year because, as Senator Byrne has indicated, even though the lender is obliged to explore alternative payment options, as the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: My point was in terms of that 37% who only need it for a year-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: -----so as we move forward will such a percentage who need it for a year not be getting it for a year?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Report and Remaining Stages (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Report and Remaining Stages (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I echo the comments of my colleagues. One of the things I admire most about the Minister is that she is indefatigable.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (30 Apr 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I acknowledge her vision, as I did at the beginning. Although we differ on how to implement it, we are with the Minister as she moves forward in her attempts to reform.

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I echo the words of my colleague and this is why I second the amendment. I commend the work of Senator Bacik in this regard.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome both the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to the House. The presence of both of them today as we debate this historic Bill put forward by Senator Power is deeply appreciated by many throughout Ireland who have advocated change in regard to section 37 of the Employment Equality Act. I also welcome members of the public in the Gallery, as Senator Power did,...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Katherine Zappone: The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the INTO, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Equality Authority, some members of which are present, all recommend deletion of section 37(1)(b). At this point in Ireland's history, in 21st century Ireland, the section should not be part of our laws.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I echo the call by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell for an urgent debate on the rights of older people on foot of the public consultation report. The Senator outlined many of the recommendations contained therein. The Leader promised a debate on this matter. Given the work of the consultation committee, we are a little ahead of the media. Many colleagues will have seen the "Prime Time"...

Seanad: Review of White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 May 2012)

Katherine Zappone: The Minister of State initiated this review which was part of the programme for Government because of the need to assess the changing context at home and abroad but also to reassess key issues such as hunger, climate change, governance, human rights and gender equality which are impacting on poverty. Over one month ago I had the privilege of attending the Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Katherine Zappone: Here's to Katie Taylor. I am in solidarity with Senator Norris calling for a debate on homophobic bullying. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality heard evidence from many groups against homophobic and transphobic bullying on 17 May but I am in solidarity with the Senator. I welcome the publication of the heads of the Bill on the establishment of the human rights and equality...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Katherine Zappone: -----but it needs to prove in its first year that it is able to be independent and comply. As Members will recall, the budgets of the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority were cut significantly in 2008, totalling about €3.4 million. The working group's report noted that the current bodies do not have enough resources to meet their existing obligations. On "Morning...

Seanad: Departmental Agencies (12 Jun 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House. Last week I also raised this issue. As the Minister is present, I welcome the publication of the heads of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill. I acknowledge his commitment to establish the new body that will be strengthened in its ability to respect human rights and the equal status of everyone in our society. I...

Seanad: Departmental Agencies (12 Jun 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I fully accept that.

Seanad: Departmental Agencies (12 Jun 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the statement that there is an intent to level up powers and functions in the new commission, as there was huge concern on the part of the two bodies that there would be a levelling downwards rather than upwards. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I am a member, has been asked this week to review head 13. May I take it that the saving of €500,000 per...