Results 1-20 of 1,862 for speaker:Mary Seery Kearney

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. We do not know each other. I have only gone to Kerry on holidays. However, I look forward to working and serving with the Cathaoirleach. I also look forward to serving in the Seanad and serving the people of Ireland in all of their diversity. I look forward to working with the Leader and Deputy Leader. It is a great honour to work...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I am delighted to welcome the Covid-19 app and I hope its use will grow. I must confess that I was somewhat cautious when I heard about it as it was being planned. I was very nervous regarding the privacy implications. Last night, when I downloaded the app I read about the extensive data privacy impact assessment that was done. I also read the privacy notice published about it. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: The global pandemic has brought about changes in workplaces and how we envisage the workplace in ways that we thought would never change. In recent months the concept of working from home has brought about extraordinary and great benefits. However, there are other elements to the situation. I appreciate that today it was announced that there will be a remote working consultation. We must...

Seanad: Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome the Minister of State, though it seems bizarre to welcome him to our Chamber when we are in his. It is a wonderful and awe-inspiring surrounding. I welcome this legislation. As so many of us have said today, small businesses are significant contributors to employment across our country. As the Minister of State noted, they account for over 99% of the total enterprises and 69% of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: We heard news reports this morning about the major security breach relating to Twitter last night. This morning, the European Court of Justice has struck down the agreement between the EU and the US facilitating the transfer of data between those two parties, which generally occurs where there is a parent company within the US. That is at a macro level. My concern is at the micro level...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I very much welcome the Bill and I am particularly delighted that the implementation of the legislation will put the climate action fund on a statutory footing. I welcome also the commitment that once the Bill becomes legislation and is commenced there will be a second call for projects to be announced. It is on the subject of one of those projects that I wish to address the Minister. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: The previous Government piloted a scheme in Limerick and Wexford for the provision of baby boxes to all newborn children. The concept has been championed by Deputy Richmond as a means to ensure the State gives all newborn babies an equal start in the form of a box containing all of the essentials, including blankets, recyclable nappies, thermometers, clothes, and information on nutrition and...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment. I welcome the amendments proposed in this Bill and wholeheartedly support them. I particularly welcome the provisions that allow for meetings to be held virtually as it will be a particular relief to companies anxious to fulfil their corporate obligations but constrained by their constitutions and company law heretofore barring the...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome the Minister and wish him every success in his role. It is a daunting task to take on at any time, but particularly at this time, and I admire thus far how he has carried out the role and his presentation of the Bill, which I very much welcome. As Senator Murphy said, the GP relationship is such an extraordinary one of trust, and possibly one of the last bastions of our society...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I am sharing time with Senator D'Arcy. The Minister is very welcome. I will also forgo the formalities for the sake of time.I sat on South Dublin County Council's tourism policy committee. I am amazed by how much tourism can bring to an area in terms of investment and employment and the potential it possesses. I congratulate the Minister on what has been put together in the July stimulus...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I was particularly heartened to see the provisions in yesterday's plans when it comes to ASD and the provisions for special needs assistants. However, I want to draw her attention to a particular lacuna in the provisions, that is, in the areas of Dublin 6 and Dublin 6W. As a result of interventions and lobbying by the Involve Autism group and...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome the Minister. I congratulate her on the changes which the Bill brings in. They are creatures of necessity. While they are temporary, I look forward to them modernising how we conduct the business of justice in the State. Many of the measures are welcome and long overdue. I particularly welcome the video link and warrant arrangements. They will lend themselves to a more...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It will probably be a surprise to most people as they go about their normal lives that no matter where they are in the country, be it in a rural or urban setting, they are probably in close proximity to someone who has been or is experiencing being trafficked. Trafficking does not follow typical patterns or even a stereotype of victims. It...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Minister for making herself available at such short notice which, in itself, is a strong statement of how seriously she is taking this situation. I have heard her assurances in that regard and that she is closely monitoring the situation in Cahirsiveen. I congratulate her on her forthright response and willingness to act. It has been, no doubt, a very difficult time for the...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Cathaoirleach. As I was saying, we were all facing an unknown and fearful enemy in the virus but most of us at least had the comfort of our own hall door to close and to feel secure behind. I can only imagine that the pandemic and the sudden, albeit necessary, relocation to emergency accommodation in the hotel has been difficult for the residents of the Skellig Star, given that...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and address the requirement to legislate to put these powers in the hands of An Garda Síochána. In this most unusual time, we must remember that the virus - not publicans, the gardaí, the public or even the Government - is the enemy. These legislative provisions are brought about to embellish the State's armoury in fighting the...

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for making time available to us. It is a great excitement for me to speak for the first time in the actual Seanad Chamber. I begin by congratulating the innovation. I am very happy that the Department includes in its name the further education element because it is instrumental. I founded a college of further education and vocational...

Seanad: School Transport, Leaving Certificate 2020 and Reopening of Schools: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I want to begin by congratulating the Minister on the enormous success that school reopening has been for her and her Department.I thank the principals, parents, boards of management, teachers, SNAs, school staff, ancillary staff and students who have made this a great success. I want to address the Minister on the topic of the algorithm and the prejudice relating to schools with a large...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Mary Seery Kearney: I want to highlight that today is Make Way Day and that we need to ensure our footpaths are clear for wheelchair users. I call on homeowners and the councils to cut back hedging, and call on people to stop illegally parking on footpaths and to make way and be considerate. I acknowledge that the councils, from what I have observed of Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council, have...