Results 1-20 of 104 for long speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Economic Growth and Job Creation: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Deirdre Clune: ...at the end of this month I hope it will contain measures to help create jobs. It is only by helping people to create jobs that we can move forward. In the area of competitiveness we have come a long way in improving our competitiveness ranking mainly because of reduced wage costs and public sector reform. Energy and energy prices will continue to threaten that competitiveness. There is...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (5 Feb 2014)

Deirdre Clune: ...funding will be required and the Minister has said it will come sooner rather than at the end of 2016. I hope this will be the case. Rather than a fire-brigade response all the time, we need a long-term plan of action to alleviate and to respond to flooding issues.

Seanad: Report on Grocery Goods Sector: Motion (20 Nov 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ..., Tesco is targeting the Aldi and Lidl sector of the market by offering vouchers. I would not say it is a price war. While this is good news for consumers in the short-term, we must consider its long-term consequences. We have had bread wars and milk wars in the past. We will have such events in the future as individual retailers try to increase their market share by targeting their...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Property Taxation Application (14 Nov 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...of the estates I have in mind did not know they would not be taken in charge. There is another category of estates where the process of taking in charge has not been addressed or is on the long finger. I know the Minister of State said it is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. This is an area that needs to be tidied up and a statement made in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Property Taxation Application (14 Nov 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...the local property tax they are at a disadvantage compared to their neighbours? That is an issue that should be progressed and it should be established that there is a norm for everybody. For too long I have witnessed in my area councils not availing of the opportunity to take in charge housing estates, perhaps, because the developer did not propose it but they should be more proactive...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...months away, but the time lag is important and crucial to the success of that campaign will be the publication and the enacting of the Family Relationships and Children Bill 2013. That will go a long way towards changing the tone of the referendum when the campaign takes place. This morning the Taoiseach is launching a report by McAfee, the Internet security company, on Internet safety...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Deirdre Clune: .... Child benefit is provided for that. Maternity benefit is provided as an employment support to ensure mothers receive income support during the time they spend on maternity leave. We have come an awfully long way. Under EU law, we are required to provide for just 14 weeks of maternity leave, but we provide for 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave....

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...has been strong on this issue. Two out of every five Irish adults are overweight, while one in three children is overweight or at risk of becoming obese. These figures have been known for a long time and we need to take action now. The billboard and poster advertising campaign is welcome. I suggest the House support the Irish Heart Foundation, the Minister for Health and the Minister...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Data Protection (8 Oct 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...authorities will be able to sanction firms that violate the rules. There is a difference between how the US and EU, for example, regulate data privacy, and that has been recognised for a long time. In the US, data can be processed unless the act is specifically prohibited but in the EU, personal data cannot be processed unless the task is specially authorised. There is a difference but...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Sep 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...since 2008. That speaks for itself. Nonetheless, the Private Residential Tenancies Board is an important establishment. When cases of anti-social behaviour have been referred to the board it takes a long time to establish whether the board can deal with them, so there is room for streamlining the types of complaints that go to the board. As has been said, not all landlords are...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...read some of them. It is clear that most people who have contributed to the debate recognise that the Seanad cannot continue as it is and needs to be changed. A question has hung over it for a long time and, as we all know, numerous reports have recommended changes. The reports were worthwhile and should have been considered, but this and previous Governments did not do anything about...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Dementia Strategy (8 May 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...support services which are vital in this area. In light of the day that is in it tomorrow and the month that it is, it is time there would be a statement on the dementia strategy as it is long awaited by all involved in this area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Impact of Black Market on Small Businesses: Discussion (16 Apr 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...work in this area by following up on advertisements in newspapers and the mobile phone numbers of those offering services. For the most part, the days of people paying for services with cash are long gone. However, there is a need for a further awareness campaign because the public needs to be made aware of the fact that the level of taxes could be reduced if everyone played ball on this...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...appreciate that it will lower their costs. We have discussed the impact of CO2 emissions on the environment, but the redesign of the axles will have a direct impact on the purse and could have long-term implications by reducing the wear and tear on our roads. Everybody is trying to pitch in with ideas that reduce the costs to local government and lessen the negative impact of these...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...are very personal and private in such areas, would remain within the system and not be made available to the public. This was the thinking behind the in camerarule but there has been a call for a long time to have it changed and adapted. I was made particularly aware that this was a concern, particularly of fathers, during the recent referendum campaign on children's rights. I do not...

Seanad: Restorative Justice Process: Motion (20 Mar 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...of a graffiti programme in Cork where Cork City Council and Cork County Council engage with the Probation Service. Dealing with graffiti under the Litter Pollution Act was very difficult for a long time. Local authorities did not have the resources but the Probation Service now works with local authorities in Cork very productively. It gives offenders an opportunity to make amends to...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Emer Costello, MEP (28 Feb 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...is 27% is a difficult situation. As Ms Costello knows, the Government announced the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 last week. A key element will be to provide an incentive for employers to hire the long-term unemployed. The State will pay ¤1 for every ¤4 that taking on new staff costs an employer. The plan contains a number of other measures. I am a member of the Oireachtas committee on...

Seanad: Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (27 Feb 2013)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the opportunity to recognise the Magdalen women for the work they have done and courage they have shown in coming forward to tell their story. It has been a long road for them. As an earlier speaker noted, this is not the end of the road but the start of a new chapter, one which I hope will be bright. I also commend the women's supporters and those who worked with them and helped...

Seanad: National Lottery: Motion (13 Feb 2013)

Deirdre Clune: ...will be built. I note Senator O'Donnell's and the other Independent Senators' proposal to establish a dedicated weekly lottery or draw. I would question that proposal because it could take a long time to establish. Do we have the necessary resources? We need the money now for the children's hospital. The licence is due to be granted and not necessarily to the highest bidder as certain...

Seanad: Private Rented Sector: Statements (6 Feb 2013)

Deirdre Clune: .... It was always a contentious issue trying to get the local authorities - Cork City Council and Cork County Council - to inspect, but the level of inspections has improved in a big way. For a long time, the contribution local authorities received from registration bodies was not reflected in the level of inspections, but the number has increased. Given that the new regulations have been...