Results 4,521-4,540 of 5,192 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: It is not in conflict with the Minister of State's ambition to see An Post compete and adapt to the market place; there is no incompatibility here. The amendments enshrine in this legislation that whoever delivers the service, private or public, there is a legislative imperative to do so with regard to cost, efficiency, universal delivery and low pricing. I do not see the difficulty; surely...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: If I understood the Minister of State correctly, it is being accepted. On that basis it is not being pressed.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: The Minister is accepting it.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: All right.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 16: In page 19, subsection (5), line 26, after "designated" to insert the following: "and having regard to the cost to the consumer and to the quality of service".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: To ensure the efficient running of the House, I will not reopen the debate, but I advise the Minister to read the transcript to see the arguments we made. I appeal to him to either accept our amendments or tell us that he will come back with proposals to achieve the same objectives which should not be disputed.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I strongly support Senator O'Toole's amendment to delete "five years" and substitute "three" because three years is a reasonable period. Five years would put An Post into a straitjacket. As I said on Second Stage, I am concerned that we should preserve the universal service obligation and the excellent next-day delivery levels to every part of Ireland that An Post has achieved. That is the...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State's acceptance of the spirit of amendment No. 14. I am happy that is the case because we should maintain a democratic basis for what we are doing. The ultimate authority in the State should be the Oireachtas which should have the power to review and make decisions. I strongly support amendment No. 11 to which my name is also appended following discussions with...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I fully accept the Minister of State's thesis and Members would have taken that as a given. I believe reference was made on Second Stage that Members are more than aware of the degree to which information technology has caught on and is being used. In a way this makes it more necessary to be supportive of the universal service obligation and supportive of An Post. It will not simply face...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: Tributes have been rightfully paid to the generosity and resilience of our people in the snowy weather during the past few days but it is worthy of mention yet again that the level of restraint and control our people have shown during the economic crisis in recent months is remarkable. Because they have shown this they deserve fairness and hope. What was contained in the Central Bank report...

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I will be brief because previous speakers have expressed the sentiments we all share. I acknowledge how courteous, good humoured and pleasant and efficient Shay has been. We are all very grateful to him for the manner in which he has treated us all and for being highly approachable at all times. He is a perfect gentlemen and has done a great job during the years. I wish him well. I join...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: Senators on this side of the House are uncomfortable with leaving the wording as it stands. We are concerned that the provision may be used to undermine the principle of a universal service at some point in the future. In order to make a fast buck by providing a cheap service, it may be decided to require people from a dispersed community to get their post from an installation, that is, a...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I strongly support this amendment. Yesterday I contacted the Bills Office to append my name in its support. Obviously, it goes without saying that trade unions and workers are important stakeholders in An Post and in the delivery of the postal services. We can be very proud of them, something I say in an unpatronising way. Our postal staff at local level and up the line, those with whom...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: He is one of An Post's best customers.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I am also a former temporary postman.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: On behalf of my party, I wish to acknowledge that the Minister is going back to the drawing board in respect of this matter. I take on board what he said. The approach he has adopted is appreciated because there is no logic in dividing the House in respect of such a central issue.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: The general thrust and purpose of these amendments is - while accepting the diktats of Europe and the requirements of the relevant directive - to preserve the universal service obligation that applies in this country. In other words, our aim is to ensure that, with no exceptions, people's post will be delivered to them each day regardless of where they live. That is what we are trying to...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: That is not workable.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, subsection (1), between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: " "distribution centre" means the main hub location where efficient automatic processing of mail takes place in large volumes sufficient for the operation of a national mail collection and delivery network;". The objective of this amendment is to ensure we will continue to have a clear...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Reilly: There has been considerable investment in the existing centres - €100 million of State funds and personnel - and that is investment worth protecting. I appeal, therefore, to the Minister to consider this amendment on the basis that we should provide statutory protection for them. Access to the market should not be below the level of existing centre, in other words, a smaller unit. While...