Results 6,021-6,040 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Funding of Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (4 Dec 2012)

Willie O'Dea: It convinced people that what people with disabilities were entitled to were absolute rights, regardless of the state of the finances of the country, something that did not apply in any other country and which by definition could not apply in any other country. The campaign was led by people such as Mrs. Finlay and her husband who are closely associated with the Labour Party. I tell Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (4 Dec 2012)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future of funding for the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49896/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Claims (4 Dec 2012)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will confirm insurance payment issues in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54490/12]

Order of Business (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has a number of items of legislation on the Government's legislative programme. Is there anything in those pieces of legislation that will be used to reduce commercial rates? These rates are crippling small businesses, particularly retail businesses, throughout the country. Also, is there legislation on the way that will...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: So it is dead in the water and there is no progress on it.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I am not opposing the Order of Business on this matter but I would like an assurance from the Tánaiste that the House will get an opportunity to discuss it.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I did not get an answer - that is the problem.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: They are burnt out.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: When the shinners get in that will all change.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: A press conference is being organised by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation to unveil the results of research carried out by Dr. Keith Hurst, an international expert on comparative medical staffing levels. The results of his research are stark and frightening. They suggest patient safety is being compromised and give the lie to the notion that front-line services are being...

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: The Tánaiste appears to dismiss out of hand the results of this research, even before he has studied it. He must be aware that his colleague, the Minister for Health, in justifying his decision to proceed with a HSE inquiry in the case of Ms Savita Halappanavar, has said he owes a duty of care to the women of Ireland. Is the Tánaiste aware that the recent report from the State...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the consequences for Ireland of EU Commission proposals that aim to cap crop based bio-fuel production to a maximum of 5% of total transport fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53268/12]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the assessment of the International Energy Agency in its World Energy Outlook report that fears of peak oil are unfounded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53273/12]

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: We did this, and we were wrong to do so, but the Government was elected on a promise of reform. Every time there is a vacancy anybody with a hint of a connection to anybody other than Fine Gael or the Labour Party might as well go home. We heard a lot about judicial appointments. Six of the last seven judicial appointments were closely associated with a certain political party.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I could rehearse their names and connections but I do not like to embarrass people who are not here to defend themselves. Sometimes doing nothing at all is better than box ticking or making a pretence at fulfilling electoral promises. In my naivety I was taken in by some of these promises.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I was dubious about the Government's commitments on job creation and the economy - sadly my fears in that regard have been realised - but I thought that on the question of constitutional reform it would be a success. What we find, however, is a flop. Unintentionally the Government may have brought forward the day when we see these much needed reforms because the members of the public have...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I recognise that but the Government made promises and was elected on the basis of those promises. The centrepiece or jewel in the crown of the Government's proposed constitutional reforms was the abolition of the Seanad. The programme for Government states that the Government will "prioritise" this measure but the Government's understanding of "prioritise" is a bit funny, given that two...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: Another difficulty arises as we go further into the life of this Government. I canvassed for the recent children's referendum and was one of very few Deputies who did so. I went out and knocked on doors because I strongly believed in it. Towards the end of the campaign, however, I was seriously worried that the referendum would not be passed because so many people told me they would be...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: I am not referring to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government but to the Minister for Justice and Equality. Where are we with these powerful committees that were supposed to solve the problem of the imbalance in power between the Executive and the Oireachtas? We now have fewer committees than before and they are more starved of cash than ever. In reality, nothing...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Willie O'Dea: Fianna Fáil supports the Bill. The boundary commission has been a feature of the system since before I was elected a Member of this House, which was not today or yesterday. It is fair to say no Government of any persuasion has ever sought to interfere with the recommendations of a boundary commission, which is good. With all due respect to all sides of the House, if politicians were...