Results 141-160 of 216 for speaker:Margaret Conlon

FÁS: Motion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this evening's debate. The shocking absence of financial control within FÁS, as set out in a recent report, is disgraceful and utterly unacceptable to the Irish people. It is necessary for the Tánaiste to get to the root of the problem and to ensure this type of activity will not be repeated. She is working and will continue to work...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I wish to share time with Deputy Peter Kelly.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Before I contribute to the debate on NAMA I take the opportunity as a north east TD to record my sincere congratulations to Deputy Seamus Kirk on his ascension to the role of Ceann Comhairle. It is a superb achievement for him and for the people of County Louth whom he represents where he topped the poll in 2007, and is a fitting highlight to a 27 year Dáil career. I express my sincere...

Medical Practitioners (Professional Indemnity)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (14 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I thank Deputy Reilly for introducing this necessary Bill. I respect the Minister for Health and Children's leadership in not taking a partisan stance on this issue. I also welcome the establishment of a group to examine the issues raised, with a view to returning to the matter by the end of January 2010. The Minister for Health and Children proposes the Bill be re-examined fully. Its...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (15 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the benefits that arise from the approval, by the EU Commission, of Ireland's application for official brucellosis-free status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36062/09]

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (15 Oct 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the value to farmers here arising from the relaxation of various controls following the approval, by the EU Commission, of Ireland's application for official brucellosis-free status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36063/09]

International Human Trafficking: Motion (Resumed) (18 Nov 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing time and giving me the opportunity to speak on the motion. I commend Deputy Naughten on tabling the motion and giving us an opportunity to discuss this subject in the House. I mean this most sincerely. The trafficking of humans violently attacks one of our basic human rights, which right we should enjoy at all times. We are very lucky to live in a...

Written Answers — Departmental Policy: Departmental Policy (26 Nov 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be in a position to publish position papers, prepared by his Department and the State agencies under his remit, as part of a public consultative process on relation to the medium term future of the Irish agri-food and fishing sector. [43446/09]

Written Answers — Agri-food Sector: Agri-food Sector (26 Nov 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the need for a comprehensive medium term plan for the agri-food and fishing sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43445/09]

Child Benefit: Motion (Resumed) (2 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing time with me. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We all recognise the difficult economic situation in which we find ourselves. The Government is cognisant of the fact that this is a difficult time for many families throughout the country. We have a growing number of people looking to the State for support. This is, unfortunately,...

Child Benefit: Motion (Resumed) (2 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Prior to this some might not have been in a position to access it. The Minister outlined last night the major resources that have been allocated to children and families. Times are now more challenging and we must cut our cloth according to our measure. The Minister has listened to the various groups and she will continue to protect those on low incomes. I have every confidence she will be...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution. By any standard, expenditure of €21.1 billion is a significant amount for a Department. This represents an increase of €676 million. I am sure the Minister wishes the sum was falling because the increase is due to the fact that more people are signing on the live register. However, it is accepted by all sides that savings of €4...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: It is a very reasonable proposal-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: -----that if one is on jobseeker's allowance and has refused an offer of education or training then one's benefit is reduced to €150. This measure was introduced in respect of 18 and 19 year olds and has been most effective. I commend the Minister on the measures she introduced to tackle welfare fraud. In the past year, I have noticed increased activity by the Garda Síochána, the...

Social Welfare Cuts: Motion (15 Dec 2009)

Margaret Conlon: We all accept that last week's budget was a difficult one. It was framed in a period when we are experiencing the worst economic recession in living memory. However, as the saying goes, this too will pass and there will be sunshine after the rain. In delivering the budget, it was important that it be fair. I accept everyone's perception of fairness is different. However, difficult...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (27 Jan 2010)

Margaret Conlon: Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the way in which greater simplification can be brought to the common agricultural policy in the context of the post-2013 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3691/10]

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Jan 2010)

Margaret Conlon: Question 158: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount paid to farmers under the fodder aid scheme announced in November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3690/10]

Unemployment: Motion (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Margaret Conlon: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate. For me and my colleagues in the Government, jobs are at the heart of everything we do. This is a very difficult period. It is a very difficult, life-changing experience to find oneself unemployed. We must ensure that people are retrained and get back into employment. In the short time available to me I will focus on the...

Civil Liability (Good Samaritans and Volunteers) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Mar 2010)

Margaret Conlon: None of us would think that.

Civil Liability (Good Samaritans and Volunteers) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Mar 2010)

Margaret Conlon: I also welcome the opportunity to contribute. At the outset, I commend Deputies Timmins and Charles Flanagan on the work they have done and on their genuine intentions in bringing this Bill before the House. However, as the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, set out last night, the Government is in the process of preparing legislation which will be brought to finality shortly. I agree with the...