Results 281-300 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

John Whelan: Let me finish on this point. It would be damaging to the Government, the country and democracy if we were to go down the road taken in Bulgaria - the Bulgarian Government has resigned en masse- or Greece in which there are ongoing national strikes by public sector workers. I am imploring the Government, particularly the two Ministers involved, to re-engage with the trade union leaders who...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

John Whelan: What about the church's role?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

John Whelan: What about the church's role?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: I was a journalist for 30 years before becoming directly involved in politics. There is mounting concern and anxiety throughout media and journalistic circles about the consolidation and virtual monopoly that is developing in the Irish media. Almost every leading title and radio station in the country is now in the ownership of one company and is effectively under the control of one man....

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: I support a call made in the other House by Deputy Willie Penrose that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government impose an immediate moratorium on all planning or development of further wind farms until such time as the Government and Department conclude the review into the guidelines for the development of these massive wind farms. Proposals have been made for 2,500...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: The Seanad should have a debate and discourse with the Minister or Minister of State to allow Senators to feed into the policy directive on the control of and guidance pertaining to the development of new wind farms. Community interests and concerns are not being adequately taken into account and must be considered.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: I will raise the burning issue across the country which concerns every householder; this is the vexed issue of the property tax. We must have a property tax and broaden the tax base, as there must be a fund to provide local services. Residents around the country cannot believe what is happening, as bills are emanating like confetti from the Revenue Commissioners. They are being sent to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: Out of respect for the Chair and the time constraints, I will park an issue I intended to raise and take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Jimmy Walsh. I have known him for many years and I count him as a colleague. As a journalist for 30 years, I am only in the penny ha'penny place compared to Jimmy, who has 52 years on the clock. One would not think that to look at him or meet...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: Indeed. I am certain Jimmy has a good book in him, if not a great book and bestseller, but knowing the calibre and integrity of the man, it will not be a kiss and tell book.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I would like to take up the point raised by Senator O'Donovan. It is no secret that most of this country is swamped and water logged and that there has been a huge loss of crops and livestock this year. Last winter and the preceding year were the wettest on record yet bizarrely water in Dublin and the surrounding areas has been rationed during the past month. It is absurd that despite...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: -----and the construction of a new reservoir.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to the House to explain when water metering will be introduced, in respect of which we are getting mixed messages from the Cabinet, and when water charges will be introduced. The new CEO of Irish Water took up his post this week, which is important. We need a coherent plan to ensure...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to the House. I am grateful that she is taking this question on behalf of the Department of Health because no one in the country doubts for one second the commitment, care and compassion that the Minister of State brings to her role in the area of elderly care. The question is particularly topical and interesting...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. It is good to hear that a decision by the Minister is imminent. I have heard the word "shortly" in recent months.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: He has had the report on his desk since before last Christmas. Six months is a long time to consider this issue. The hospitals are not even running at the level for which HIQA has cleared them. For example, the Abbeyleix facility only has 22 patients. The community fears that moves are being taken to close it by stealth, to wear people down and to procrastinate. I urge the Minister of...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nessa Childers, MEP (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I have great pleasure in welcoming Ms Childers to the Seanad today. She is a valued and respected colleague in the Labour Party. I had the good fortune only last week, at Ms Childers's invitation, to visit Brussels along with a group of 35 delegates from Laois and the midlands area. Not that we were in any doubt about it, but we could see at first hand her level of activity and work, the...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nessa Childers, MEP (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I am a serious fan of all sports, and I remember not long ago when Formula 1 cars looked more like cigarette boxes with wheels on them going around the tracks. Now we have people telling us the whole world will fall apart if we do not have alcohol companies sponsoring big sports matches and field sports. I will not single out anybody, whether it is GAA, soccer or rugby. We must face up to...

Seanad: Charities Regulation: Motion (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister to the House and commend him. On the first day of summer there is a great deal of warmth in the room and I would like to continue in that vein. The Minister has embraced the motion, not just in letter but in spirit. I also commend my colleagues in the Independent Group. Senator O'Brien has championed the issue, with other colleagues in the Independent Group. To an...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, on visiting the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, on Friday last to attend a long overdue and fitting memorial service for Mr. Brian Stack, at which a bust of the late chief prison officer of Portlaoise Prison was unveiled. Mr. Stack, a serving prison officer, was murdered 30 years ago outside the National Stadium on the South...