Results 1-20 of 35 for speaker:Máiría Cahill

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I thank everybody for their good wishes and particularly Senator Craughwell for his constructive advice. I hope to watch Senator Craughwell in the debates over the next few weeks and follow his good example.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Máiría Cahill: It is a huge honour to serve in Seanad Éireann and I have my friends and family here, including my five-year-old daughter, Saorlaith. I was going to say she was being uncharacteristically quiet, but she has actually fallen asleep.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I also pay tribute to Senator Jimmy Harte, who has experienced a horrific number of years. I had the privilege of speaking with him last week and I am glad to say he is slowly but surely making a great recovery. I also thank the Harte family in its entirety for their support, particularly Jimmy's daughter, Amy Rose, who has looked after me so well over the past number of weeks. There has...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I also note the announcement of the impending resignation of the First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr. Peter Robinson. I met Mr. Robinson last year and found him to be very courteous and respectful. He should be given credit for moving the Democratic Unionist Party from a policy of "Never, never, never" to one under which, for the most part, his party has had a respectful...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I welcome the publication of the scheme of a Bill from Labour Party women yesterday with regard to repealing the eighth amendment. Far from being disturbing, as some Senators have said today, it is actually an attempt to deal with the issue in a very sensitive way. It is a constructive attempt to deal with an issue that has been repeatedly been pushed down the line. It is not good enough...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today. Recently I have been asked to help with a number of cases specifically around the issue of domestic violence and abuse. One of these cases involves a woman in her fifties who was resident in council accommodation for over 30 years. I do not want to identify her due to the very real danger that she may find herself in, and because...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I welcome the Minister of State's comprehensive answer. I note with some concern that the direction made by the Minister only extends to 31 January 2016. I will obviously be calling on that to be extended for much longer. We are talking about the need to remove barriers for those who urgently need to leave their homes. We are not talking about emergency accommodation but about long-term,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I echo Senator Barrett's comments in regard to Fr. Gerry Reynolds. He was a champion of dialogue in relation to obtaining peace. I knew him and am deeply saddened at his death. I echo also the comments of Senators Marie Moloney and Michael Comiskey on the recent storms and pay tribute to members of the emergency services who worked hard in the past week to keep people safe. I convey my...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I am filling in for my colleague, Senator Kelly, who cannot be here today. I welcome this Bill and note that it will further enhance the corporate governance structures of all port companies, that the oversight functions make sense and are useful and that the transfers support the Government forums in the area of local government through enhancing the role of the local authority in regional...

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.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: My daughter attends----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: Gabh mo leithscéal, Senator O'Brien. I think you should withdraw the remark. Rather than coming from a place of religious conviction, his remark is coming from a place of political prejudice. I have a daughter who attends a Catholic school----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I am not withdrawing that remark.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: You are here to defend yourself and have done so. In respect of rule 68----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I am not withdrawing the remark. Rule 68 is an archaic rule. Children have a human right under the European convention to a neutral studying environment, and that is clearly not the case in this country. There is a lack of choice for parents who do not wish for their children to receive religious instruction. We have seen the difficulty this country has had over the years with how...

Seanad: Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Máiría Cahill: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank Senator Quinn for initiating the Bill as it is great to be discussing something positive. I believe there is a very interesting debate to be had around the merits of the system and I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute on the topic today. I recognise the positive intentions of Senator Quinn in proposing it. There are many Irish citizens...

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-----