Results 201-220 of 6,967 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Charlie would not have that.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I accept what the Leader of the House has said. However, there is a circular argument to this issue. There are two roles within the regulatory authority. The role that the Consumer Director has to play and the functions of the authority in the area of consumer protection come within the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. I am not disagreeing with what the Leader said but surely there...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 8: In page 45, to delete all words from and including "in the name of" in line 22, down to and including "Authority" in line 26 and substitute "after consultation with the other members of the Regulatory Authority". This amendment seeks to change the subsection dealing with codes and requirements under statutory instrument which the consumer director may have to enforce....

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: There is a "but" here.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 9: In page 46, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following new paragraph: "(e) comparisons against best practice in other comparable countries in relation to the cost of financial services and the range and quality of services offered.". This subsection deals with the annual report of the authority, which the Minister referred to earlier. Such a report is an...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Minister of State. He is a little like his aunt in that he is difficult to dislike. It is good to have a Minister who can clearly articulate an argument without needing to constantly refer to notes passed to him by officials. I appreciate that he has devoted his time to this important legislation. Although he was not, unfortunately, able to accept amendments, he duly considered...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (9 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I support the Bill introduced by Senator Higgins and I commend him on the efforts he has made in drafting it. I am somewhat disappointed by the Government's failure to take on board the provisions of the Bill. As has been outlined by previous speakers, it is not overly technical legislation; it simply tries to place a legal framework on a system which has no legal standing. Electrical...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, in asking the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend the House to discuss the recently published crime figures, as well as the appalling events that occurred last weekend. Senator Finucane spoke about Mr. Barry Duggan, the unfortunate gentleman from Sligo who was brutally attacked on the streets of Dublin at...

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am glad of the opportunity to make a few points on this important issue. As the Minister of State may be aware, there is no designated home for the elderly in Kilkenny city, although it is an issue which has been used by political parties over the course of many elections, with repeated promises being made. The last election was no exception,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Light Rail Project. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: My Adjournment Matter concerns recent media speculation about the Luas flyover facility at the Red Cow roundabout. It was originally proposed that a flyover for motorists to gain access to the park and ride facility on the Naas Road would be provided as part of the programme. Recent media speculation seems to suggest that the planned flyover will not now be built and that in its place there...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: What about Kilkenny?

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - School Closures. (8 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House again. The matter I wish to discuss today centres on St. Brigid's secondary school, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny. Notice was received by the board of management of the school recently that it is the intention of the Department of Education and Science to phase out education at St. Brigid's over the course of the next two...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator Hanafin's point about decentralisation. However, after what happened in the national hurling league, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism would be better suited to Kilkenny, for which I put in my claim.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: On a more serious note, I wish to raise an issue which I have previously raised, one which was also raised by other Senators, the possible reintroduction of third level fees. The Minister for Education and Science has not, as yet, outlined his strategy for the future. I ask that he do so as soon as possible. Last weekend's newspapers highlighted a report conducted by Professor Malcolm...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It is beyond belief that the Taoiseach could make such comments. I ask that he come to the House to explain how he could be so misguided and deluded about the situation in regard to agriculture.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan on the Redundancy Payments Bill. As the only Kilkenny man in the Seanad, I wish to make special reference to the Comerama plant in Castlecomer to which Senator Coghlan also referred. I was present at a number of meetings where commitments were entered into which, apparently, will not now to be honoured. Castlecomer has been an unemployment blackspot...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State and the introduction of this legislation. It is not always that I concur with Senator White, who made a good contribution. This is important legislation. I referred earlier on the Order of Business – many Senators have previously referred to this – to a particular aspect which may be the nub of any problems that may arise with this legislation, namely,...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad Senator Mansergh is aware of that. Long ago, there was an established tradition of coal mining in north Kilkenny and the greater Castlecomer area in particular. However, the mines in that district became redundant in the 1960s and 1970s. As a result there is no longer a coal mining industry in the Castlecomer area. The population in that corner of north Kilkenny is quite large. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: They got them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join my colleague who expressed concern about third level fees. Senator Bannon was correct. The absence of the majority of the Progressive Democrats from the Chamber today is certainly conspicuous.