Results 241-260 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: That is my point. Someone decided to put the first tweet into play. Who decided not to put the second one into play?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: There was another question to Mr. Morrison.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I would like on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Labour Party in counties Laois and Offaly, to apologise to the electorate in our constituency for failing in this instance to abide by a solemn pre-election pledge to protect child benefit. To say otherwise is merely splitting hairs and semantics. When I, along with my colleagues, put up those posters and distributed those leaflets during...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: As for the goading from the Opposition, its Members will maintain they are simply doing their jobs. It would be a poor lookout for me if I had to turn to either Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin to set my moral compass.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I will not be chastised by either Deputy Martin or Deputy Adams about doing the right thing. When Bertie Ahern and his greedy cohorts were milking this country dry, Deputy Martin and those who cosy up beside him sneering and scoffing had their chance to stand up to be counted but they chose instead to stand idly by. Then there is the political utopia of Sinn Féin. What about a Fianna...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: These past two weeks I have robustly endeavoured, in private and in public, to change elements of this budget. It is not, however, my function as a Labour Senator to seek to recklessly destabilise the Government. To vote down the Bill would in my considered view lead to such instability that would be dangerous for our country. To what end, to what benefit and who would gain?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I believe it would be a pointless, if populist, gesture, playing into the hands of a grossly irresponsible Opposition. Some of us have a value system and agenda that goes beyond the pursuit of merely looking to the next election and playing to the gallery. I will finish on this point.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I intend to campaign for real change and reform as a committed Labour Party Senator and supporter of this Government.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I take the opportunity to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, back to the House. As I have said for some time, the Water Services Bill 2013 is one of the most significant, strategic and substantial Bills that will be dealt with by this House and the Dáil in the current term. It is just as important as the financial legislation with which we will have to deal. An Bord...

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I will draw to a conclusion because I know the Minister of State has to leave and we will resume the debate on Thursday.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I want to make one further point. People say they support the establishment of Irish Water, but they are not sure if now is the time to establish it. They also support water metering, but, again, they are not sure if now is the time to charge for water. The right time was 20 years ago.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: No. My point is that as the right time to do so was 20 years ago, we have no time to waste. It should not take the troika to tell us to do what is right. We are 50 years behind the rest of Europe on this issue and it is high time we proceeded on it. I commend the Minister of State for his work on this legislation, but I suggest to him, with respect, that we tie infrastructural investment...

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I supported the payment of water charges.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, to the House. I know he will be very familiar with the issues we raise today because he is a Minister of State who is conscientious about his local community and understands these problems and concerns. I second the motion proposed by my colleague, Senator Landy. However, for the record, I am not at all impressed that the Minister for...

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (23 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: With respect, I wish to put the matter on the record. It applies also to the Adjournment debate where the Minister, Deputy Shatter, has delegated other Ministers and does so on an ongoing basis. I am uncomfortable with that. I would prefer if the Minister attended to hear our concerns directly. This motion is timely although it had its genesis some months ago when the Labour Party Seanad...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: On a point of order, are we speaking to the amendments or are we having a party political broadcast?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: What is the relevance of school transport to the Water Services Bill 2013? How can one be against water charges but for taxes?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I see no relevance in the contribution from Senator Cullinane. What he has said has no connection to the amendments and I would like, with respect, that the Chairman would keep order so that the Senator addresses the amendments rather than going off on a party political broadcast, with Sinn Féin being all in favour of services but against paying for anything.

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this motion. I welcome the Minister of State and look forward to his considered response, which will, perhaps, arbitrate on what is an informative debate. I have enjoyed listening to the healthy, non-partisan and open-minded contributions made from both sides of the House. I thank Senator Norris for tabling this motion. During the...

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

John Whelan: I am sure everybody has the public interest at heart. However, I do not believe we should proceed just because this is what has always been done. We must keep this under constant review.