Results 301-320 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (15 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State for his summary of the services available. I particularly welcome the positive news that the waiting list has been reduced and that there are no under-18s thereon.

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (15 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I am aware of that.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Bill which is another step towards ensuring the nation and the economy become more competitive. The EU-IMF agreement requires a number of structural reforms and strengthening our competition law and enforcement will form part of these changes. The Bill deals with white collar crime and such offences must be prosecuted. This type of crime affects consumers and anti-competitive...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2012: Statements, Questions and Answers (6 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2012: Statements, Questions and Answers (6 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister for his brief outline of what he can do because there are 270 elements to the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, which is very welcome. The most important element of the plan is the tracking mechanism for the end of quarter results. We will be able to judge the performance in each quarter and the Minister will report on how the recommendations have been implemented. This is...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: On 13 March.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (1 Mar 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I hear what the other Senators are saying. No one wants to get caught up in a situation where the provisions of legislation have to be implemented retrospectively. Nonetheless, as the Minister of State said and as the Minister pointed out on Tuesday, the advice from the Attorney General is that we are obliged to implement the directive as and from 5 December 2011. A consultation period...

Seanad: Child Abuse: Motion (29 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on both motions. I welcome the Minister's commitment to consider fully the mechanism of blocking in the context of the sexual offences Bill, which he will bring to Government shortly and that on its enactment, the State will fully comply with the UN protocol on the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe Convention on the...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: This is important legislation, as it is important that agency workers, particularly temporary workers, have protection. When the directive was first mooted, it was about ensuring potentially vulnerable workers across the European Union would be afforded the same rights. It is unfortunate that the Minister was forced to introduce legislation and stipulate 5 December 2011 as the date from...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: We were in a position where the directive had to be implemented as and from 5 December 2011. Many members received correspondence on the issue when the legislation was going through the other House. That the Bill will apply retrospectively from 5 December is a source of concern, although I heard what the Minister said. I read the transcript of the debate on Committee Stage and the advice of...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Next Thursday.

Seanad: Committee of Selection (28 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: It is in the memorandum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: It is in the memorandum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I raise the issue of the proposed sale of some State assets. I commend the Government on its commitment from the troika that one third of the moneys raised will be kept for jobs initiatives and to develop employment. That is a far cry from the original commitment whereby all the money was to go into the black hole to-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: There was.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I can requote it but I will not as I do not wish to waste my time as it was already quoted by Senator Bacik. In regard to the word "strategic", the Government's commitment is clear. The Bord Gáis transmission networks and interconnectors will not be put up for sale because it is recognised that they are strategic. The energy business, however, will be put up for sale, although the ESB is...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I ask the Leader for a debate on the proposed sale of non-strategic assets. It is clear they are non-strategic as outlined in the statement from the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Deirdre Clune: In regard to Coillte, the land will not be sold but the crop, the forest, may yet be sold. That issue will be looked at. No decision has been made but it is up for consideration. The clear statement is that land will not be sold but merely the crop.