Results 281-300 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: I support this amendment. The Minister spoke about leaving discretion to the court to decide. This is one case where it can be left to the court to decide what is appropriate. This limit is regressive. In a way, it runs contrary to the purpose of the Bill which is to deal with situations where people find themselves unable to pay fines and face the threat of committal to prison. It does...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: The Minister mentioned road traffic offences and that people who are fined have a car and presumably some means. It could be confined to those types of offences and in that way, it would not cut across those who have a genuine problem paying a fine of €100.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: It could be confined to the type of offences to which the Minister referred.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: Yes.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister. We define the term "due date for payment" in a couple of sections of the Bill. As it is now a standard definition, I wonder whether it should be included in the defintions section in order that this overlap can be avoided. I appreciate that the point I made has been taken on board in the amendment. I know there have been many amendments, but having the same...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: It is included in sections 15, 19 and 59. We also have the standard definition. This is not a point of principle. I am putting it to the Minister that as we are repeating the definition, perhaps a standard single definition could be inserted in the definitions section.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: It is a fact that the same definition is included in three sections. I am not arguing with the Minister on the actual definition included, but rather that it would be more elegant if there was one common definition without repetition in each section. Perhaps, therefore, the phrase, "In this section "due date for payment" means," is unnecessary. It is a question of drafting. Amendment...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (28 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: I agree we could finish Committee Stage, but due to the intricacy of the Bill and the number of Government amendments made, it would be better not to move on to Report Stage. I am agreeable to completing Committee Stage.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: Prior to the Easter break we held a debate on the lost at sea scheme and the report and recommendation of the Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly. As a result of that debate, the matter was examined by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where I understand a useful discussion took place yesterday. However, I wish to refer to the debate we held in this Chamber and the intimidation...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: The Cathaoirleach did not allow me to finish. I am not remonstrating with Deputy Fahey for being in the Gallery.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: That was not my point. I made a statement on the lost at sea scheme and the report of the Ombudsman. As I left this Chamber, I was tackled by Deputy Fahey in regard to this statement. This seems to be par for the course for Members of this and the Lower House. It is entirely inappropriate-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: -----that the intimidating behaviour of Deputy Fahey in relation to this matter-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: A more fundamental issue arises. Why is Deputy Fahey going to such lengths to undo the report and recommendation of the Ombudsman? Why is he going to such lengths to deny the justice-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: -----that was recommended by the Ombudsman for the Byrne family? What has he to hide to make him so desperate in carrying out a lobbying exercise-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: I have one question for the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: Will this House uphold the standards of the Ombudsman-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: -----or the standards of Deputy Fahey?

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Second Stage. (22 Apr 2010)

Eugene Regan: I welcome the Bill and the Minister's detailed exposition of it. The Bill contains a number of important considerations which justify it. The Minister has outlined the cases where due to oversight or otherwise people are imprisoned if only for short terms for non-payment of a fine. We have a problem with prisoner numbers and overcrowding in prisons. We have the extraordinary figure...

Seanad: Lost at Scheme: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Eugene Regan: This is one of the most serious issues that the Oireachtas has had to deal with. We have a scheme which was designed in a flawed manner by a former Minister, Deputy Fahey. The finding of the Ombudsman was that the lost at sea scheme was designed in a way that was contrary to fair and sound administration. It is quite a damning report, but she does not make a political finding. She deals...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Eugene Regan: Yesterday I raised an issue about the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly's report on the lost at sea scheme conceived by Deputy Frank Fahey when Minister. The Leader said the report would be debated in committee but that the Fine Gael Party wanted it to be debated in the Dáil. He also said he would have no difficulty in allocating time for such a debate. Deputy Creed, speaking for the party in...