Results 361-380 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Deirdre Clune: Or if the Senator had asked a supplementary question.

Seanad: Investment in Science, Technology and Innovation: Statements (11 Oct 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his contribution. I wish him well in his area of responsibility which is vast and extremely important. There are many positive actions which could be taken. The Government and that which preceded it gave a commitment to support innovation and invest in research and development. In recognising that this is so important, we must do things...

Seanad: Investment in Science, Technology and Innovation: Statements (11 Oct 2011)

Deirdre Clune: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the opportunity to contribute on the Bill and the welcome change it proposes. The people will be able to decide whether they want to change their Constitution to ensure the Oireachtas is given powers of inquiry. As other Senators have stated, it will rebalance the power deficit between the Legislature and the Executive. The people will be consulted, an important factor at a time...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I, too, would like to raise the issue of Aviva workers and the rumours that have been circulating in recent weeks. They have been heard in the media both last night and this morning, which is of great concern to the workers in the company. Our thoughts are with them today if there are to be job losses on the heels of other announcements regarding jobs, particularly those in Talk Talk in...

Seanad: Planning Issues. (20 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this matter and I am glad the Minister is present to respond. I refer to the issue of development charges and the impact they could have on restricting economic development. The charges have been with us for a while and they have been a significant revenue source for local authorities. A review of the charge was carried out a few years...

Seanad: Planning Issues. (20 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad the Minister of State will follow up on that. He mentioned guidance and guidelines but will he inform local authorities directly that these are strict guidelines? The planning application to which I referred was granted earlier this month. The Minister of State has said that guidance was given to local authorities after the jobs initiative, but the local authority did not adhere...

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I wish to share time with Senator Maurice Cummins.

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I welcome the Minister. We are focusing on innovation which, as we all know, can be a very wide agenda, something mentioned by the Minister and Senator White. Innovation is not confined to the science lab, rather it concerns the economy, community and the public sector in particular in terms of how it can change and adapt to the...

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I am sure this Bill is not the end of political reform by this Government. The Minister's contribution yesterday-----

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: Nobody is objecting to the fact that by-elections will be held within six months of a vacancy occurring. That is an important step. The issue had to be addressed following the debacle in the last Dáil. The limits on spending in the presidential election campaign will come into effect immediately, so it is important that this legislation is passed before the summer recess.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: The census results were published in the past month and the commission has been set up. The Minister will put forward the terms of reference for that commission-----

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: -----and they will reflect the outcome of the census. Yes, the number of Deputies and Seanad reform will come from the people. They will decide whether they wish to retain this House and it is in our interest to put up a good case if we want it retained.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: There is reform across the board-----

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: There is also the strengthening of local government. There will be far more from this Government. This is not the end of political reform, but the start. I accept Senator Barrett's point about oversight, which we will also have to examine. Recently, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, set up the fiscal council which will be very important. Members on all sides of both Houses...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: It was informative in terms of how the courses developed and the language used in supporting young people not just in sexual relationships, but the relationships they have with individuals such as people sitting next to them on a bus or in the classroom and how to cope with those relationships. It is an excellent programme and is well constructed. I had concerns that, because of reaction...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: Sorry. Reducing the number of examination subjects will relieve the pressure somewhat and ensure that such valuable subjects and courses can be introduced. I am concerned that boys' schools appear to be lax in implementing the programme, particularly when we have such a high rate of suicide among young males. That does not make sense. The high rate of suicide among young males should...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which is the first step in reforming the Oireachtas and the local authorities. Many would have campaigned in the last general election, and I certainly did, on the need for reform because if we are not prepared to change, we cannot ask others to change. Never before has there been such an appetite for reform among the electorate and...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this motion. I support the call for the social, personal and health education programme and relationships and sexuality education to be fully implemented and extended. Senator Healy Eames referred to the difficulty teachers and parents have in finding language to address issues and talk to young people. I was reminded of myself as a teenager...

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

Deirdre Clune: I also welcome to the House the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services and wish her well in the portfolio. It is a highly appropriate appointment. While we do not share a constituency, we are from adjacent constituencies and the Minister of State has had a long-held interest in, and has campaigned for, this area. I am sure she knew exactly what direction she...