Results 1-20 of 35 for speaker:Máiría Cahill

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I had not intended to speak as I was sitting in my office listening to everybody else’s contribution, but I decided I would. I did not believe I would ever in my life use the phrase "Senator Scobie." I thank the Senator very much for his remarks. I became a Member a very short time ago. I was somewhat nervous coming here because, although one is used to watching people on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I am calling for an urgent debate. I understand the Minister may not be available today but, hopefully, she may be available tomorrow. The issue concerns allegations of abuse within a foster home, and particularly what the HSE knew and when. First, I want to put on record that my heart goes out to the woman at the centre of this case who has become known as Grace and to her family because...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I am raising an issue of great importance today because I was contacted directly by victims yesterday and this morning regarding a story printed yesterday by Allison Morris in the Irish News. I am calling for an urgent debate on the matter. The story states that the IRA broke into Special Branch headquarters in 2001 and stole thousands of documents, which it decoded. It discovered its...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I am looking for an urgent debate on this issue. The victims, who are the most affected, are always at the bottom of the pile when it comes to action. People with broken hearts and broken minds are living with the legacy of grief to this day. There are people who can put a stop to it but they will not because self-preservation and political expedience are more lucrative for them. I will...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: This Government is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and should exercise its responsibility in this regard and hold to account those who blatantly abdicate their responsibilities.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I welcome yesterday's publication of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-21. I commend the Minster for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, on her efforts in this regard and, in particular, on giving political priority to an issue that will always to be the fore of society. Abuse permeates every section of society. Importantly, the strategy...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I thank the Minister and her officials for this Bill, which is a very comprehensive, well researched and well thought-out piece of legislation. It is clear that the consultative process has been wide-ranging and that the Minister has listened to all sides of the argument. The lone voice against this Bill is potentially out of step with every other Member who has voiced support for it. As a...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Second Stage (20 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I welcome the Minister and thank her for bringing forward this Bill. I will not be as eloquent or, indeed, get as worked up as Senator Norris, but I will focus on three general areas of the Bill that are important to the heritage of Ireland - canals, wildlife and the Heritage Council. First, the provisions in Part 4 relate to the Heritage Council. The council was established to identify,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I, too, call for a debate on the issue of homelessness. Country to what Senator Cullinane said, I raised the issue in November as a Commencement matter. I am quite disgusted that someone can come in here for less than ten minutes on the Order of Business and profess to care so much about the issue of homelessness that it becomes a party political point, and then leave without listening to...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jan 2016)

Máiría Cahill: I would like to record my support for Louise O'Keeffe regarding recent media interviews and how she has been treated by the State over successive years. She has demonstrated, not only on her behalf but on behalf of other abuse victims, tenacity and a thirst for justice over many years. She took her initial complaint in 1997 and went to the High Court in 2004, the Supreme Court in 2006, and...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I find this discussion nonsensical. We are dealing with serious issues that affect people. In this serious legislation, to have an almost humorous debate on whether someone is one month older or younger than another and whether that is an offence does a significant disservice to victims throughout the country. I would appreciate it if we could stick to the Bill-----

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I am glad the Senator put on the record that he is not attempting to be humorous but I still stand over my point that this discussion is almost nonsensical at this point.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: If we could stick to the very serious-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: A few weeks ago, I called for a debate on repeal of the eighth amendment. I am disturbed by some comments today. I respect the right of anybody to have an opinion on any issue and I have listened, but I find some of the distortions that have been raised about a particular programme on RTE absolutely horrific. The national broadcaster was not found to be biased in favour of abortion. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: -----they should probably behave in an adult and mature fashion which commands the respect of the House. It is not conducive to debate when the Senator shouts across-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I am, but it is not conducive to the debate when Members shout insults across the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: If we are going to have this debate, we probably need to behave in a responsible fashion around it.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I had not intended to speak today but I ask Senator O'Brien to withdraw his remark. I think you said the Labour Party felt that people with religious instruction were inferior. I take offence at that statement.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I think you should withdraw it.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: You should withdraw it because quite clearly I do not feel that people who have religious belief are inferior.