Results 281-300 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Animal Diseases: Statements. (20 Oct 2005)

Noel Coonan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs congratulated Mr. Mandelson on his efforts at the WTO. That is on the record.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Coonan: I support my colleagues seeking a debate on education. I ask the Leader to extend that debate to agriculture because while the agricultural sector was never more educated, it was never more under threat than at present. It is important that we have a debate on agricultural issues, particularly sugar beet and the WTO talks, to encourage and support our Minister in her fight to keep the farming...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Coonan: It is vital for the farmers of this country. We need to debate the matter as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Coonan: We are very keen to hear from her.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Coonan: I support the call for a debate on Northern Ireland, particularly in regard to local government. However, I caution that we should first have a debate on local government in this State, particularly with regard to better local government and customer-friendly services. The Government has imposed an embargo on 860 local government posts and the quality of service has been affected as a result....

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Coonan: I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business tabled by Senator Bradford. There is a crisis not only in the sugar industry but in agriculture. The farming community has suffered dreadful pain through CAP reforms. Sugar proposals that devastated Tuam, Thurles and Carlow now put the Mallow plant under threat. I have called for this debate over the past two weeks and I am disappointed...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: I welcome the Minister back to the House. I am sorry she has concerns about the security in the House but I assure her the glass was not placed between this side and the Minister's side of the House.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: I can vouch for the Minister's safety today. I thank her for briefing us on this issue which is of major concern particularly to Irish farmers, and for Irish agriculture. There were many words in the Minister's statement but she did not use two words that cause me considerable concern, namely, "sugar beet". This indicates the present crisis in agriculture. Last year, the malt and barley...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: I refer to the impact of the Minister's negotiating skills on Irish agriculture. She can see that it is disintegrating all around her. In a few years there will be no farmers. A recent report stated that in 15 years time when the regulations and WTO agreements take effect, only 10,000, or fewer, of the 40,000 present full-time farmers will be in business. Who can blame young farmers running a...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: He congratulated Mr. Mandelson and hailed his work and the great deal he achieved. It makes me wonder. These policies, and the importing of foods from South America, especially Brazil, and other countries, will put the health of future generations here at risk. They will have sub-standard, cheap, untraceable, unlabelled, imported foodstuffs. The Minister's text reads that the EU already...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: Mr. Mandelson is rowing back. The Minister accepts that these trade talks in Hong Kong are unlikely to bear fruit and it may be necessary to meet again in mid-summer. Last week in the European Parliament Mr. Mandelson stated: Let me be clear. I have no plan to make a further offer in agriculture. This is not justified and would further unbalance the negotiations. The time has come for others...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: Part of our negotiating position should be a demand for a level playing pitch. Last year, the World Bank wrote off a debt of $20 million for Ghana but imposed regulations on sugar production there that cost it $26 million, meaning Ghana was worse off by $6 million. Peter Mandelson and company would lead us to believe that these reforms at EU level at the WTO talks are to the benefit of poorer...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: Is the Minister taking me? I must declare an interest as a member of the farming community.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: I did not get my cheque. These trade talks present a glorious opportunity for Ireland to enhance the clean and green image of its agricultural produce. It is an opportunity to highlight research and development in quality agricultural produce. The message must be sent to Europe that our products are what it demands and are of a high and safe quality. However, we will see this afternoon what...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: That is nonsense. Last Friday, the story was that 85% of farmers were paid. It is a disgrace the way farmers are being treated. If one telephones the Department, one cannot get through or the call is not answered. When I telephoned, I eventually got through but nobody could tell me anything. The officials promised to telephone me back but never did. Farmers late in applying are to be...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: Why is it that the Department could not contact farmers until now to inform them there were problems with payment applications?

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: Why did the Department's switchboard collapse on Friday and Monday?

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: There is no division now because no one is growing sugar beet.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: With the boat gone, it makes no difference whether the tide rises.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Noel Coonan: The Senator could act as her adviser.