Results 2,901-2,920 of 32,547 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Censorship of Publications Board Repeal Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Jan 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to make a statement on general principles in the area to underscore what the Minister said and to respond briefly to the points various Deputies have made this morning. I agree with Deputy Kelleher’s point that for the vast majority of purchases or engagements people have with art, the ones who should determine whether it is acceptable – be it music, film or books...

Censorship of Publications Board Repeal Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Jan 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I am certain that given the principles the Deputy outlined earlier about the ability of people to determine what they read, he will exercise that himself. I assure him that the literature is available in bookstores around the country. He does not need to wait for this process to be served out if he wishes to read it. In terms of how long it is since anything has been banned, I refer to...

Northern Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the opportunity to debate the situation in Northern Ireland. As Members are aware, engagement on Northern Ireland issues is a matter of the highest priority for the Government which, in common with the British Government, is co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. However, engagement must take account of the fact that the devolved institutions are in the lead in ensuring...

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a pleasure to be here. The purpose of this debate is to give the House an overview of the Government's policy towards the European Union and provide an opportunity for Senators to comment on developments in the European Union which may be of interest to them. I will provide an update on the thinking and priorities of the Greek Presidency and some of the changes that are afoot in...

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I understood they had been circulated. If Senators have not received a copy, I apologise and will ensure they receive one immediately. As I stated, I was contacted 12 or 18 months by constituents asking how best they could protect their money and ensure their wealth would be preserved in the event of the eurozone breaking up. A number of prominent economists and commentators spoke about a...

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which will be a huge trade arrangement between the US and the EU, could create an extraordinary opportunity for a diverse range of companies in Ireland to perform even better in the US. It is incredibly important to us that such trading relationships should deepen in a rules-based environment. That is what the negotiations on the...

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I can assure the Senator that I follow in the footsteps of active Ministers such as the Senator. Whenever I am at home and not in here doing this work I do my best to be in Dublin Central. I thank the Senator for his advice.

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I have continued to do all I can to support the development of our relationship with member states and with the EU institutions. I believe we continue to make progress in many areas but I am aware of how much more needs to be done and developed. I am aware of the work we need to do to ensure that banking union comes about and in such a way as to enable our own banking system to develop in...

Seanad: European Union Affairs: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank all Senators for their contributions. I should have made clear in my contribution that I am always available to come to the House to discuss matters in respect of Europe in any sphere. If I have missed out on any of the points raised, I would be happy to come back again, but I will do my best to go through all of them in turn. Senator Leyden expressed the view that Europe may have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman. It is always a pleasure to address the joint committee. I greatly appreciate the committee's decision to change the time of this meeting to facilitate my appearance here. I asked for the meeting to be rescheduled because I am travelling to Berlin tomorrow afternoon for a number of engagements. While I am in Berlin, I will have an opportunity to meet my new...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank members for their questions. The Chairman asked about Bosnia Herzegovina and whether there was fatigue regarding enlargement and a more prominent role for the EU in the Balkans. That is not the case. Consider the EU's strong role in the breakthrough in the Serbia-Kosovo relationship. The High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton, played a pivotal role in that regard. Serbia...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Absolutely. On Senator's Noone's point about the perceived disconnect between European institutions and Irish people, I am well aware of that. However, I see some positive signs of where that is changing. I have been struck by a few small changes recently which when put together could have a cumulative effect. In recent weeks RTE in its coverage has given considerable recognition to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: They will get a text message.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The text message that comes through on the network on my mobile telephone makes reference to the European Union. All these changes with regard to the role of the European Union at consumer level, if nothing else, over time will have an effect on the way people perceive the role of the Union and the work it can do. On Deputy Halligan's point regarding my impressions of Bosnia-Herzegovina...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I will.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I will begin with an issue I accidentally omitted in my first round of answers relating to the question of voting rights. The first point is that this is an area of national competence in terms of how it is organised and provided to the citizens of each country. I am aware of the report mentioned. I am also aware of the fact that the Constitutional Convention is doing work in this area and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman.

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (19 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report Stage (19 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for his suggested amendments and for his support with regard to the overall thrust of the Bill. I propose to respond to each amendment in turn and to offer the Minister's perspective thereon. On amendment No. 1, which proposes to change the period of time from 12 to 24 months, it is the view of the Minister that the 12-month instalment period set out in the Bill is...

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report Stage (19 Feb 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Regardless of the political views that colleagues may have of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, people would acknowledge that he takes his legislative duties and his role within this Chamber and on committees very seriously. That is why I am standing in to take this Bill and address points on it. I have to reach the conclusion that in using this opportunity, which...