Results 2,981-3,000 of 12,886 for speaker:Paul Coghlan

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I also welcome the Minister of State. I found much of what Senator O'Toole had to say refreshing. We all accept that he is fair and independent-minded. He told us that he was surprised, if not disappointed, that some of the good proposals from this side of the House had not been accepted by the other side. We all know from those involved in the business world that we are in a bad place....

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I know what the Acting Chairman means.

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: A sensible proposal was made by Senator O'Toole in regard to pensions and restrictions on pension funds. It would be worth examining in the national interest and the amending legislation should be introduced as a matter of urgency in order that we could invest in ourselves, so to speak. Fine Gael also agrees that the debt to GDP ratio must be reduced to 3% by 2014, the target agreed by the...

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I have no doubt the Minister of State is top of the class. I would not expect him to be anywhere else. However, there are Departments which we are led to believe are lax and I have no doubt this is true. I was appalled recently to hear about an official in a certain Department - I will not name the official or the Department - who had told a person in a body under the aegis of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Hundreds of thousands of euro has been spent on the construction and staffing of a hospital which does not yet exist. I understand planning permission has not yet been sought. This is a huge waste of money. On the other hand, a new state-of-the-art hospital - I have only seen it from the outside - in Dingle, County Kerry, which has been in place for the past two years-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: You are right, a Chathaoirligh. My sincere apologies. I did not even know the damn thing was in my pocket.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I am being distracted. Friendly fire.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: The situation in Dingle is serious. Approximately €16 million has been spent on the construction of a new hospital. While this hospital has been in place for the past two years, patients currently located in the 19th century building have not yet been transferred to it. That is shocking waste. We now know that a number of Departments are lethargic in terms of what they should be doing...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I am pointing out what is going on in terms of waste and setting out how we can make savings. We are all aware of the scandal in this regard. We should be doing something to address this issue. If a debate is what is needed, let us have it. I call for a debate on banking. The Joint Committee on Economic and Regulatory Affairs held an interesting two and half hour session yesterday with...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: The Leader will be aware of the pertinent points made yesterday by Senator Ned O'Sullivan and others, with which I agree. Much of the nitty gritty of this issue which has not yet been resolved could be debated in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: There is nothing historic about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Members on this side of the House are right behind Senator McDonald. I hope the Leader takes note of this.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: We also need a debate on CIE.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: We are all interested in seeking consensus, but I wonder whether there is something phoney about it all. We all agree on the broad parameters and everyone has signed up to a debt figure of 3% of GDP by 2014. I have no doubt my party will respond positively to this initiative, but there is something suspicious, not least about the reaction of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I do.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paul Coghlan: I appreciate that and will try to come to my question.