Results 141-160 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Selection Panel for Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Discussion (25 Sep 2012)

Katherine Zappone: May we note, as Members of Parliament, the way in which Ms O'Reilly has offered an example to us of her way of responding to another aspect of the head of the Bill?

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome this opportunity to speak on Seanad reform and in particular to hear the considered views of my colleagues. I thank the Leader for his very prompt and gracious response to Senator Quinn's request for this time to allow Senators to put on the record their initial responses to our document that argues for retention and radical reform of Seanad Éireann through legislation. This...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I start by welcoming the comments by the former President, Mary McAleese, regarding marriage equality for LGBT people. In an interview due to be broadcast tonight, Ms McAleese expresses her support for the institution of marriage being open to same sex couples. On a related civil rights issue, I note the European Union's strong criticism of Serbia's decision to ban a gay pride parade from...

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (Resumed) (9 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Senator Colm Burke and the Acting Chairman. I again thank the Leader for making available this time to respond to our document, "Open it, Don't Close It: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change", as well as to the wider issues of political reform to which it points. I thank the Leader for his request that I respond to all Members' contributions and will begin by thanking...

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (Resumed) (9 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I seek one or two more minutes. Senator Cummins mentioned six to eight minutes.

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (Resumed) (9 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I apologise but that was what I understood from him. I have approximately one minute left. Is it not the case the Government does this in respect of referendums put to the people? Is this not the case in respect of the forthcoming children's referendum? Much analysis, committee meetings, reports, etc., went into the preparation of this referendum. However, no such analysis and...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (18 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: Goodness, the Minister has a lot on her plate. I welcome and thank her for being willing to return to the House to answer Senators' questions. She has identified many ways by which her vision for reform and change is being implemented. I commend her for this. Senators appreciate the opportunity to exchange views with her on the choices she and her Cabinet colleagues will make in the next...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (18 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: Goodness, the Minister has a lot on her plate. I welcome and thank her for being willing to return to the House to answer Senators' questions. She has identified many ways by which her vision for reform and change is being implemented. I commend her for this. Senators appreciate the opportunity to exchange views with her on the choices she and her Cabinet colleagues will make in the next...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (18 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: Goodness, the Minister has a lot on her plate. I welcome and thank her for being willing to return to the House to answer Senators' questions. She has identified many ways by which her vision for reform and change is being implemented. I commend her for this. Senators appreciate the opportunity to exchange views with her on the choices she and her Cabinet colleagues will make in the next...

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Sub-Committee on Penal Reform: Penal Reform: Discussion (24 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I wish to make one of two comments. I feel very affected by the witnesses' presentations and they have really put it up to us. I have not been a member of this sub-committee or a public representative for very long. I would have sat where the witnesses are sitting and like them would have an extraordinary commitment, passion and academic rigour but would have still felt a little powerless...

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Sub-Committee on Penal Reform: Penal Reform: Discussion (24 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: Professor O'Donnell started it.

Seanad: Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Statements (25 Oct 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I begin by complimenting her on her presentation, particularly in respect of our Presidency and all the ways in which she has been preparing for that. It is good to hear that information, particularly the ongoing work to promote greater equality, social cohesion and inclusion in Europe, areas in which I am particularly interested. I also want to...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I move: That Seanad Éireann notes: - the importance of transparency and independence (actual and perceived) in a social welfare appeals system; further notes that: - social welfare appeals have more than doubled in the last 5 years with 51,500 live appeals in 2011; - despite a reduction of 2.6 weeks since 2011 the average waiting time for appeals dealt with by summary decision making is...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry. I also welcome the noting of the importance of independence, actual and perceived, in the amendment. However, the amendment states that there is no sustained or concerted criticism of the independence of the office. My colleague, Senator Norris, has referred to evidence to the contrary, highlighting a statement of the former chief appeals...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and his positive update on the Action Plan for Jobs. One fact that I notice he has left out of his positive update relates to the job creation exchange he has had with Washington State, from where I come. The Minister hosted the state's governor, Ms Christine Gregoire, in the summer and has been on a trade...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister. I also welcome the long-awaited legislation which is desirable for many reasons, some of which the Minister outlined in his speech to us, but in particular as protection of the principal, primary residence in the various new schemes. There is still room for significant improvement in the Bill. The Minister indicated that was the case, in particular in order that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Commissioner and members of his senior team and thank him for his presentation. I have a couple of questions about the community policing area. As he will be aware, LGB issues form an official part of his community policing remit. My first question relates to his diversity strategy and implementation plan which will conclude this year. It contained a commitment to develop...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I thank the Commissioner. As he said, it is a work in progress. I would like to make a recommendation or a suggestion that he would consider including the issue of transgender members in the context of his upcoming plans. My second question relates to the incident at last year's Dublin pride where LGB members of the force were denied permission to march in uniform alongside uniformed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I appreciate from his perspective, the Commissioner's suggestion that it may produce confusion. I suppose I am offering a view in light of the importance of the symbol that members of the force could have provided in terms of supporting the development of increasing trust between the Garda and the gay and lesbian members of the community.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2012)

Katherine Zappone: I have a number of remarks and questions, particularly on amendment No. 6, and what constitutes a reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses. The Minister refers to both in the Bill. My speech last week indicated that one of the very positive aspects of the Bill is that the insolvency service will prepare and issue guidelines on what constitutes a reasonable standard of...