Results 1-20 of 176 for section:Dáil debates speaker:Noel Harrington

Fodder Crisis: Motion [Private Members] (7 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this motion. The crisis that hit our agricultural sector was extremely difficult for many farmers. It was clear that certain areas were particularly badly hit including parts of west Cork, north Cork, west Limerick, north Kerry and other counties. Equally, other areas were better insulated and did not feel the effects of the shortage until...

Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the Bill. It is interesting to note some of the differing views put forward by members of the Technical Group. I welcome Deputy Finian McGrath's support for the Bill. However, I am disappointed with those Members who have used this debate as an opportunity to attack the Government for not funding local government and roads infrastructure throughout rural Ireland. To be honest,...

Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (30 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Arcáin was below the designated number of eight for the retention of its second teacher on 30 September last, but this number has now increased to ten. This is why I ask the Minister of State to allow the enrolment figure on 30 April to be taken into account before the school would lose its second teacher. It...

Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (30 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to recognise the special position of primary schools on our offshore islands by extending the qualifying date for minimum enrolment from 30 September 2012 to 30 April 2013 so that some unique factors in island communities can be taken into account fully. I am not sure if the...

Public Sector Pay and Conditions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I have to wonder what is the purpose of this motion given it is proposed by the last people in this House qualified to say anything credible about public servants and sustainable pay, conditions and work practices - those in Fianna Fáil. The hypocrisy, as I see it, is that the previous Government in dealing with any proposal surrounding public service pay and conditions simply...

Leaders' Questions (17 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: Does the Deputy want jobs?

Other Questions: Hospital Acquired Infections (20 Mar 2013)

Noel Harrington: To ask the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle MRSA in Mercy University Hospital, Cork; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14277/13]

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2013. It is obviously not a pleasant experience to introduce property taxes and so forth but we must concentrate on the positive measures in the Bill. The SME sector has been spoken about a lot in this Chamber today and it will benefit from the Bill. We must take corrective measures because this Government inherited a country...

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: Difficult decisions must be taken and Deputy Ferris knows exactly what I am talking about. I know that Deputy Ferris's compass is generally working but maybe once there was a slip-up along the line. He knows exactly what happened. We are doing the best we can. It is acknowledged that Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputies are working extremely hard to rebuild the country's reputation...

Other Questions: Road Safety Statistics (19 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Minister. If we are to tackle the safety figures, we need to know the reasons. Fatigue is one such reason, but another reason for single vehicle accidents is linked to a different strategy, namely, our suicide strategy. That there may be a link is regrettable. That the evidence is only anecdotal is a pity. The RSA's figures make no reference to this link. Perhaps something...

Other Questions: Road Safety Statistics (19 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of road fatalities in 2012; if he will provide comparative figures for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8394/13]

Other Questions: Road Safety Statistics (19 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I congratulate the Road Safety Authority, Garda Síochána, Department, road users and everyone else involved in achieving a substantial improvement in the figures relating to road traffic fatalities in recent years. While one death on the roads is a death too many, we are on the right track. I am concerned, however, about what appears to be a spike in road traffic fatalities so far...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Water Services Bill. It is vitally important legislation. While I recognise that it will introduce charges for domestic consumers of water, that is necessary for many reasons: fairness, water conservation, future investment and the continuing safe provision of water. It must be noted that, globally, wars are fought over adequate, secure water...

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the promissory notes arrangement. First, I congratulate the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and his team on a job well done. It has been generally accepted by all independent commentators that this was the best deal available in all the circumstances. In fact, some were either shocked or disappointed, perhaps, that such a good deal was...

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: The Deputy has spent most of his life on TV3.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the National Lottery Bill. Much of the Bill is concerned with the creation of an independent regulator for a new national lottery brand and amending the original legislation regarding the issuing of the next licence. At the outset, I wish to declare that until a few years ago, I was a national lottery agent but, thankfully, I am no longer such.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: Indeed and it is a lot more volatile. I welcome the provisions in the legislation to create a regulator for a new national lottery but I have some concerns, nevertheless. The idea of creating yet another regulator is somewhat problematic. We have regulators for communications and energy as well as various other independent regulatory authorities, and I agree that they should be...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services (19 Dec 2012)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Minister for his reply and for his commitment to delivering what he regards as vital infrastructure. I join him in welcoming the appointment of Lord David Puttnam as our digital champion. It is a brilliant appointment and I believe his passion and knowledge will bear fruit. I was in his home and I have seen what he can do, which is quite remarkable. While I do not want to pour...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services (19 Dec 2012)

Noel Harrington: I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topic. It is one of those debates that comes to this House and its committees quite often - the idea of providing adequate broadband to the country. It is parallel in importance to railway, road or other infrastructure in terms of driving economic activity. Broadband, literally, is vital in this day and age, not just for home use...

Order of Business (13 Dec 2012)

Noel Harrington: The Deputy is wrong.