Results 2,861-2,880 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I heard today that people on State pensions will not be entitled to——

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: Fine Gael's health spokesperson negotiated it on behalf of the IMO.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I hope the Leader will arrange a debate on this matter to clarify that people on State pensions with the medical card will continue to hold the card. The only certainty is that those on incomes of more than €650 per week will not have any cover by way of the medical card, the doctor only card or €400 per week. If Members of the Opposition would like to justify why people on that income...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: ——I would like to hear it.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: In terms of who goes——

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I will reiterate the call for clarity because confusion exists. Perhaps the budget has not been well handled, but much of the confusion has been implanted by misleading statements by those trying to make political capital out of the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: The IMO was four times the level.

Seanad: Report on EU Climate-Energy Package: Statements (16 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: Dark green.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: The uncertainty that has accompanied the global economy since we sat all night in this Chamber two weeks ago has not abated to any great extent. It could be argued that the uncertainty has moved away from the financial sector and into the global economy. That we have taken time to put together the scheme and that it is being discussed in both Houses of the Oireachtas should be of benefit as...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: ——which I believe should be restored. It is not something we can do in combination with the operation of this scheme because the scheme already contains a charge. We must look into the medium and long term so that the State can be recognised for the role it is playing in this instance. The role of the two directors who will account for the public interest has also excited some comment....

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I welcome the publication of and debate on this Bill from Senator Shane Ross and his colleagues on the Independent benches. It identifies the key infrastructure we need to get right, especially if we are to meet the much talked about aspiration of becoming a knowledge-based economy, which I admit is a long way towards being met. Most of the criticisms made by Senator Shane Ross are quite...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: The decision to bring forward the budget date was made in the heat of international and national economic uncertainty. It was made on the basis of bringing about greater certainty and confidence in the economy. In doing so, several measures were introduced that were ill-thought out as regards their full consequences. I regret this. The ongoing debate on the budget, led through public...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: Every week there will be an issue du jour and some interest group will be affected by the nature of this country's finances. It is a responsibility of all of us in the political system to suggest how this country can work best.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: Responding to the point of the Opposition leader on incineration——

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: ——just to repeat, the policy of the Government is, in the words of the Minister, that incineration is not the preferred waste disposal option, and that continues to be the case. We await the result of an international review of best waste management practice and I hope that will inform decisions being made in areas like Rathcoole. I agree with, and point out, some of the areas about...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I am glad somebody paid attention to them.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: The role of an Opposition in a democracy is essential. It holds the Government to account and challenges the efficacies of how policies are made and implemented. When successful, it can show that such policies are rushed or even plain wrong. When it is truly successful, it can show that those who are making those policies are incompetent and offer an alternative to voters in terms of how...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: However, the Opposition also has a responsibility to make those challenges without stirring up unnecessary concerns among those most in need of protection.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: I have become accustomed to a lack of respect in recent days. As I said, the Opposition has a responsibility to ensure those arguments are made without stoking unnecessary fears among the most vulnerable and to do so in a way that is proportionate and reflective of the context. There is no doubt that we do not spend enough on education. There is no doubt that the decisions made in the...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Dan Boyle: What we must decide, in government in the first instance, is how that impact can be lessened and how we can get back, initially, to where we are now, before this decision was made, and how we can surpass it in terms of improving the quality of education. That will not be done on the basis of any Private Members' motion in this or the other House. However, I am confident that a debate will...