Results 2,481-2,500 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I fail to see how any of the additional spending in yesterday's budget went anywhere other than to the most needy in society. That is the challenge being addressed on this side.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: That is next year's projection. This year's is 4.9%.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: At least we are singing in tune.

Seanad: Water Quality: Statements (6 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: If a word cannot be pronounced it must mean it is something bad.

Seanad: Water Quality: Statements (6 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: This is a timely debate, especially considering the recent announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the largest ever allocation of funding in terms of water services. That announcement has been added to as a result of yesterday's budget. It is important to note the focus the Minister for Finance gave to water services in his Budget Statement, which...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I make two requests to the Leader for possible debates in the near future. On the conclusion of a court case yesterday involving the unnecessary death of a man's wife three years ago, through medical negligence, I seek a debate on how medical negligence is dealt with, how people receive information and whether such information is of a terminal nature. I have worked directly with the man...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We served together on the Committee of Public Accounts for five years, during which we learned the value of spending public money wisely. While this is a virtue in the running of any business, unfortunately it is not always properly recognised in the expenditure of public moneys. I represent the Green Party which, through political discourse,...

Seanad: Broadband Access: Motion (12 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I second the amendment to the motion. The motion is stark and simple and is difficult to argue against in its own terms. I suggest the motion should not be taken in terms of the historical situation, because that is as it is. We are below average and behind where we need to be, and we need to improve our game by putting in place the communication infrastructure that will allow us to have...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: In answer to Senator Bacik's request for debates this week, the Leader of the House will respond to the status of the motion relating to Íngrid Betancourt and I will take responsibility for responding to Senator Bacik's Private Members' Bill on targets for climate change. Contrary to what is being said elsewhere, in particular by Friends of the Earth in current e-mails, it was not a promise...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: The Senator has made a second contribution and any additional Government time will be to allow her to finish her contribution and no one else will be allowed make a contribution. A decision must be made on whether the Bill can proceed to Committee Stage and the Cabinet has not made that decision. I am happy to put the record straight.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I am next to speak.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: The Senator should wait for it.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I am especially grateful to be able to respond so soon to Senator Buttimer, who seems very anxious to hear what I have to say in this debate. The Social Welfare Bill builds on the announcements made in the budget, and Senator Buttimer and others are correct in that I have had the opportunity for the past five years of being an Opposition spokesman trying to dissect proposals and make better...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: The four budgets introduced by this Minister for Finance have started to address this. Each one has been more balanced to the more needy in our society, and that has not always been the case. Given the budgetary choices available, I am glad this budget has erred on that side of the social equation as well. The increases granted are the maximum which could have been sanctioned given the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: ——with regard to proper wealth distribution in our society. I have had many arguments in the past regarding the definition of poverty. Although Government policy is that we should use the measurement of consistent poverty, the concept of poverty is relative. We are a relatively rich society but the extremes of wealth and those without in our society is still unacceptable. We should...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: Where would we be without them?

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: I am not sure whether Standing Orders allows for votes of confidence but it seems that the Opposition's litany of complaints today should be tested by such a measure. Government exists to perform in several modes, it can impose decisions, or propose them for public debate and consideration and react accordingly. I am glad to be part of a Government that on two issues, the water charges and...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: We might remedy the lack of consultation on the Standards in Public Office Commission by proposing Senator Regan as a member of the tribunal in which he is excessively interested.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: A rescue.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Dan Boyle: Look at the lights.