Results 241-260 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: This needs to happen, and there should be dialogue between local authorities, the OPW and insurance companies. Individuals are being left uninsured, and they feel it is unfair, particularly where it can be established that investment has been made and the risk of repeat flooding has been reduced. The Minister of State mentioned minor capital works, which are very important. In my experience...

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I also want to raise with the Minister of State the flooding in Cork in November 2009. I will not deny that Cork has had flooding problems for many years. I recall as a young child my father, who ran a shop in Cork city centre, regularly being called out by the fire brigade in the early hours of the morning because the shop was under two feet of water. Traditionally, flooding in Cork was...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Like other speakers, I am glad the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has announced the wording of the proposed amendment to the Constitution. It is an important day. We will be asked to insert the new Article 42A which will ensure that children will be visible and will be afforded the protection of the State. It is important to state at this point, as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Unemployment and Youth Unemployment: Discussion (18 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the delegation for its important contribution. Sometimes the word "entrepreneur" can be a bit offputting. It is about somebody who has an idea and can start a business and create employment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Unemployment and Youth Unemployment: Discussion (18 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: It is a word that many people do not really relate to or else feel is not for them. They feel it is above them, which it should not be as it is as much about somebody selling jelly beans as somebody working in the IT business so it is for everybody.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Unemployment and Youth Unemployment: Discussion (18 Sep 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the participants for their submissions. I follow the Forfás report regularly and know it has been for many years tracking the skills needs of industry. We are in a situation where we had an over-dependence on one sector, the construction sector, so diversification is very important and the STEM subjects will be critical in this regard. The point about languages seems to come...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It is an extremely important measure and was a commitment in the programme for Government. Much has been done to try to reduce the excessive cost of prescription drugs in this country. There has been much debate previously on the matter. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act focused on the wholesale mark-up...

Seanad: Flood Relief (19 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the need to support householders in the Cork area who were victims of flooding almost three weeks ago. Some of those whose homes were damaged did not have insurance, although others did. In all cases, people will find it difficult to get insurance following this episode of flooding. Even if they can get insurance, it will come at a...

Seanad: Flood Relief (19 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State. As his reply has provided the clarity I was seeking, I have no further questions.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbite, to the House in the autumn to discuss energy policy. The Government produced a policy document on infrastructure yesterday, to which Senator Byrne referred. We also had the recent announcement from Element Power that it will go ahead with the development of 40 wind farms in the midlands,...

Seanad: Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister and his officials for their efficiency in dealing with the Bill. I also thank the Members for their contributions. We had a most interesting debate on it last week. The Bill is an important element in supporting small businesses, particularly those that employ fewer than ten people. It is a niche area. This Bill is an important step and it will help increase...

Seanad: Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: That is what this is about.

Seanad: Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill which paves the way for the introduction of the microfinance loan scheme. The legislation is an important plank in Government policy and I know it is close to the Minister of State's heart. I am delighted that he has been given the opportunity to introduce the Bill in this House. As he indicated, the legislation will, I hope, be...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Two weeks ago, severe flooding took place in areas of Cork. In that context, Douglas, Glanmire and Clonakilty were particularly badly affected. We are now dealing with the aftermath of the floods, and reports from Cork City Council and Cork County Council in respect of what occurred are due to be submitted to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Minister of...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I refer to the sale of alcohol. Yesterday, following the concert in the Phoenix Park, Members focused on the volume of alcohol young people and not so young people had consumed at the concert. Last week we heard from Senator Averil Power about an irresponsible supermarket promoting alcohol products. We are in the summer season. The leaving certificate results will be released next month...

Seanad: School Curriculum (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me the opportunity to raise this issue. I have a particular interest in the issues of competency in mathematics and the need to address the teaching of mathematics and the attainments of students in their examinations. Last week the National Competitiveness Council circulated a paper by Mr. Seán McDonagh and Mr. Tony Quinlan which examined the...

Seanad: School Curriculum (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Bonus points are available for mathematics this year and it will be interesting to see the progress made and the results achieved. The Minister has an open mind on this issue and nothing is set in stone. This is no ordinary document; it is from the National Competitiveness Council and we should take it seriously.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The reforms in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill which I welcome are far reaching. The complete overhaul of the JLC and registered employment agreement structure is appropriate at a time of economic difficulties. If the Bill had been introduced ten years ago, it would not have received the same reception. We must ensure we are competitive, that employers can survive and...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The individuals in question were willing to work for a lower rate, but because of the agreement they were precluded from doing so. I hope some sense and balance will be brought to the issue with a recognition that there are two sides to the story. The Labour Court can now take into consideration the economic environment in which the employment is based. It can recognise the particular...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: That is what the discussion is about.