Results 81-100 of 802 for speaker:Catherine Ardagh

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: All of us in the Seanad and the Dáil have had much communication from people and proponents against the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. Some are well-meaning and others are not but for many people, there is a huge feeling that we need to properly debate this Bill. The House should be used as a forum to deliver legislation on racism and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the witnesses for their two interesting presentations. Recently, as a committee, the Chairman, myself and Deputy Brady visited Stockholm to attend the EU Defence Conference and it was notable that Ireland does not spend as much on defence and we are very much non-contentious when it comes to our European counterparts. Europe has adopted a more offensive stance whereas Ireland is a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I also want to mention the auto-enrolment scheme. When the Deputy Leader was Minister for Social Protection it was something she was working on. Ultimately 750,000 are possibly holding off getting a private pension because they are waiting on the auto-enrolment scheme. It is great to see the Oireachtas committee working on it but we have been waiting on it a long time. I hope that finally...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I wish to mention today’s presentation by Cara Darmody in the audiovisual room, which was organised by my colleague, Senator Keogan. Cara has been here 13 times since January. She is a 12-year-old girl who sat her junior certificate last year in aid of her local school and the school of her young brothers who have severe autism and are non-verbal. She is now sitting the leaving...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Apr 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: Today I raise the issue of July provision. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Autism which is chaired by my colleague, Senator Carrigy. Last July that committee issued a report which made a number of recommendations relating to July provision. We are getting a lot of feedback from parents who are telling us that many schools still do not have their July provision in place for this...

Seanad: Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Seanad: Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I welcome the Minister. I am pleased, together with my colleague, Senator O’Loughlin, to bring the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023 before the House today. This Bill is of significant importance to me. A huge amount of time and effort has gone into bringing it to this point, including hours of consultations with patients, doctors, stakeholders and meeting with the...

Seanad: Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: It has been really worthwhile coming in today. It is great that the Minister has been able to give us an important update in regard to the AHR Bill and the work that has been going on in the background, including the criteria and the roll-out of the fertility hubs. I commend the Minister on all the work he has done in women's health and the facts speak for themselves in regard to spending....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Global Progress and Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (18 Apr 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. I will first focus on the contribution of Ms McKenna. When we have witnesses before a committee we always try to find how we can help them and further the causes we are all trying to pursue together. You might be able to assist in the matter, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. One of the big asks is to make representations to the finance Ministers...

Seanad: Independent Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St John Ambulance Ireland: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Senators who have tabled this important motion. As my colleague mentioned, we are inundated with report after report of current and historical abuse of women, children and men who are vulnerable people. Fianna Fáil believes in the delivery of fundamental public health services to the highest standard through investment, innovation and reform. We will not oppose the motion,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I second the proposal that No. 23 be taken before No. 1. This is a Bill I and my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, have been working on. It essentially brings in publicly-funded IVF. It is something I have spoken about previously in this House. My husband and I had to go through five rounds of IVF to create our beautiful family. It takes an emotional toll on you and also a huge financial...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (23 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today. One of the first acts of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, was to open Our Lady of Hope School, Crumlin, with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. The school is a beautiful art deco school in Crumlin village and is a real flagship for what the Department can do in terms of retrofitting buildings. There is a stunning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (23 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister of State. We will know the school is working well and has the therapists when I do not hear from it. Principals and parents do not contact me when they have the proper resources. These parents, principals and teachers now have to be not only OTs and speech and language therapists, but also advocates. That should not be the case. They need to concentrate on the kids...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Services and Supports Provided by the State for Autistic People: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: It is great to see what a huge body of work has been done, which the committee was probably previously unaware of. That is great to see. It is also great to speak with adults with autism to see how they are getting on in workplace environments and clearly thriving with the right supports. I thank all the speakers for taking time out of their day to give their presentations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Services and Supports Provided by the State for Autistic People: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: Dr. Doherty spoke about Oliver's law in the UK. Should we bring in similar legislation in Ireland? I have a three-year-old child with severe, level 3 autism, and I avoid taking trips to the doctor's or dentist's with him. If it is possible, I will choose to get him the drugs on the phone or from an online doctor. It becomes very difficult for the children. I have not really interacted...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank all the witnesses for coming in and Ms Nolan for her presentation. It has given us a real feeling of how the organisation works and the spirit of volunteerism. I have a few questions, the first of which is regarding drone use. Like my colleague, Senator Craughwell, and others, I commend the Civil Defence. Obviously, someone in the organisation really bit the bullet and decided to...

Seanad: Remuneration Information and Pay Transparency Bill 2023: Second Stage (28 Feb 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, for taking this debate. The Bill was laid before the House by my colleague Senator Crowe and me. Across the world, there has been a pay transparency movement. Our former colleague Deputy Bacik, who is now in the other House, brought in the original pay equality legislation highlighting pay...

Seanad: Remuneration Information and Pay Transparency Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: It is not in this Bill

Seanad: Remuneration Information and Pay Transparency Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: It is just asking for former payslips