Results 30,161-30,180 of 33,214 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council Meeting and European Parliament Elections: Minister of State for European Affairs (6 May 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman and members for the opportunity to be present. I will start by giving an update on the forthcoming General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. As the Chairman has indicated, I will comment on the forthcoming the European elections across our Union, and the political and economic backdrop against which the elections are taking place. Of course, any wider reflection on...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: There are significant differences though because, as I said, what happened in Kosovo was in accordance with international law and a UN resolution but that did not happen in the case of Crimea. I suggest that is the point of difference. I agree with the point Senator Jim D’Arcy made that the most important principle of all is international law. I also agree with his point on Kosovo...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Senator Walsh is correct to refer to the role of individual leaders. In the 1980s we would not have considered it possible that the USSR could have a leader like Mr. Gorbachev who would make the decisions he did.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes, but the point on which I wish to conclude is that we should not rule out possibilities that could occur in the future-----

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: -----regardless of how implausible they are now. In tandem with the condemnation of what happened in Crimea it is vital that we continue talking to all of the players involved to explore the possibility of bringing the situation to a peaceful end, which we all want to see happen. While we are cognisant of the deep challenges we face elsewhere in the world, most notably what is happening in...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank all Senators for their contributions. I want to make four overall points in response to the issues raised by Senators. I will then respond to the comments made by each Senator. The first point I want to make is about the concept Senators used during the debate to the effect that the European Union was in some way forcing Ukraine to sign an association agreement. I ask them to...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome this opportunity to speak about the crisis in Ukraine. This is not a recent crisis. It began last November as hundreds and thousands of peaceful demonstrators took to the streets to protest against the decision of the authorities not to sign the association agreement with the European Union. I met with many of the demonstrators myself when I visited Ukraine and Kiev for the OSCE...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I understood the speech was being circulated. I apologise if Senator Norris has not received it.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I apologise to the Senator for any inconvenience caused.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Senators are as aware as I am that at this time in Europe 100 years ago a regional crisis spilled over into events that had consequences for an entire continent. Senators are aware of the role of momentum, incident and accident in leading Europe to a point 100 years ago where we faced consequences and events that were absolutely catastrophic and that resulted in the loss of life of so many...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Perhaps I might have an opportunity to deal with the points the Deputy raised at some future date. In the context of his analysis to the effect that an asset price bubble can only happen when there is a credit bubble, I must point out that lack of supply, not just what is happening at the demand end of the equation, is also a major factor in driving the development of asset price bubbles.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I am responding to the points the Deputy made and it is up to him to decide whether he wants to listen to what I have to say. In view of his continual requests for dialogue, I would have thought he might be interested in my response. From my recollection of the contents of the reports compiled by Regling and Watson, Professor Honohan and others, the Deputy is correct to state they place a...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate and I will respond in the same vein. In reply to Deputy McDonald, I do not know whose contribution she was listening to this morning but she was not listening to mine. I made it very clear that I am acutely aware of the strain this is causing people because I meet them so regularly. I am acutely aware of their difficulties. When...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: -----includes strain, sickness and worry. We are conscious of what needs to be done. We have put measures in place and we will continue to evaluate how they are performing and make changes if proved necessary. I do not recite the figures with any sense of looking to take credit for them. I know the great effort being made by people to deliver the figures which have been referred to. We...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As I said in my contribution this morning, the Government is focusing on those people who find themselves in these situations either through no fault of their own or at least very little fault on their part. I emphasised the figures at the beginning of my contribution and I will emphasise them again. These figures show the engagement and the agreements reached to date. A total of 59,668...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I am sure they have no reason to be worried.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Pearse Doherty for giving me the opportunity to discuss this issue. I wish to focus on three areas. First, I shall respond to the Deputy's claims on what the Government has and has not done. Second, I shall examine the progress achieved, while being very conscious of how much more needs to be done. Third, I shall comment on the Bill and its provisions and outline the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Senator for the points he raised. I will make two brief points in response to two key points he made. In respect of his comment about the role of consultants in the process being a kick in the teeth, I urge him to wait for the conclusion of the public consultation and the Government's response to it before he decides whether or not the role of consultants has been a kick in the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Before the Senator makes a judgment in respect of the consultation process he looked for-----

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not being flippant.