Results 61-80 of 1,013 for speaker:Colette Kelleher

Seanad: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2016)

Colette Kelleher: I accept the detailed report and that a copy of the report on the effective tax rates will be circulated. We will withdraw the amendment for now but we may resubmit it.

Seanad: Public Bodies Review Agency Bill 2016: Second Stage (7 Dec 2016)

Colette Kelleher: I am speaking on the Bill proposed by Senator Ó Céidigh to establish a public bodies review agency. I commend the good work of public bodies, of which there are some 257 according to the Institute of Public Administration's report in March 2016. There is the Citizens Information Board, Gaisce, Teagasc and the much-needed Charities Regulatory Authority for which we had all been...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2016)

Colette Kelleher: I welcome today's announcement of the rental strategy and commend the Minister for delivering the strategy before the end of the fourth quarter, as promised. As referenced by Senator Ó Clochartaigh, we all know that this is a really important strategy. One in five now lives in rented accommodation and depends on us, legislators, to regulate and manage the sector effectively. I look...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Colette Kelleher: Having worked with a disability organisation, I put myself forward for the working group on personalised budgets. I am still waiting to hear about a date for a meeting. The ordinary rights of citizens are not realised if one has a disability. I was at a meeting in Cork on Monday about a massive shortfall in access to education in spite of legislation which was introduced. Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Colette Kelleher: On the night we had a meeting in Cork, we had Deputy Micheál Martin, Kathleen Lynch on behalf of the Labour Party, Deputy Mick Barry on behalf of AAA-PBP, and Sinn Féin all agreeing. We had a great turnout of parents who were angry and upset. The Minister of State has an opportunity to ensure those schools which cherry-pick do not get the chance to do so anymore.

Seanad: Health Service: Statements (25 Jan 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I commend the Minister on the range of work outlined in his statement today. I listened keenly to what he said on older people and people with dementia and other disabilities. I commend him on the attention he has given to home care on foot of the documentary on RTE by Brendan Courtney. Deputy Mary Butler and I, co-convenors of the all-party group on dementia, are going to visit Scotland...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Jan 2017)

Colette Kelleher: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Jan 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I have some sympathy with the petitioner. We have taken the petition as far as we can go within the remit of the committee. However, as I said, this is something one is required by law to do, yet there is no ceiling to the cost it might incur for the individual. This is a difficulty for many citizens, particularly young people starting out. On top of rental costs and other things, it can...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Jan 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I absolutely concur with Deputy Denise Mitchell. This is absolutely the wrong signal to give for the reasons I outlined in private session. There are real threats to democracy and democratic institutions, the likes of which we have not seen since the 1930s, and that is not an exaggeration. We need only look at the landscape of Europe and some of the elections coming up there and what has...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Jan 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I am a member of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and have asked the Library and Research Service to produce a paper on best practice in parliaments connecting with citizens, not just in terms of the remit of a committee such as this but also in terms of how it engages in public consultation. I will be happy to share that paper with this as well as the other committee for which it...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I welcome the Leader's motion on the report of the justice committee on the recognition of Traveller ethnicity. I also very much welcome the report. I welcome the Taoiseach's indication that the Government will act on its recommendations, that Travellers are de factoa separate ethnic group, that this is not a gift to be bestowed on them but a fact the State ought to formally acknowledge,...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: The nation was shocked by the harrowing stories exposed on "Prime Time Investigates" last night. It is a shocking shame that it takes a television programme for notice to be taken rather than our calling out these issues long in advance of such programmes. Patricia Connolly told her story of waiting over a year for a gynaecology appointment in Cork. She is condemned to a life of pain on...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I thank the Minister for coming in again. He has had a long session with us today but we are delighted that he is here to hear us out. I am delighted to second this Bill which I believe accelerates measure and improves existing housing policy at a time of a national housing crisis. This Bill will improve the cities and towns we live in. Above all, this Bill will make a real difference to...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: This is not the first time that the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, has had to substitute for the Minister for Health for a debate in this House. She is very welcome. For the sick children of Ireland and their worried parents it is utterly disappointing that the proposed national children's hospital has been plunged back into question and crisis. The amalgamation of the three Dublin...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: Can I still speak when it is being moved?

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: No, I am still back at group 3 because amendment No. 1 in my name relates to the same issue.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: I thought it was being presented.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: Okay.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Colette Kelleher: People in Ireland are living and even dying on waiting lists. It is right that this is of concern to everyone. The nation was shocked by the stories that were revealed on "RTE Investigates: Living on the List" on Monday, 6 February, which was not much more than a week ago. The harrowing stories we heard on that programme have served to connect us in a powerful way with the people behind...