Results 3,061-3,080 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: I will ask people of a certain type in terms of the challenges of Government at this difficult time.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: One approach is not to walk away. We must face the problems——

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: We must meet the challenges head on and overcome them.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: I will briefly address some of the points that were made. I agree we face a challenge in terms of energy costs but it is a challenge that is being met by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: I notice the Chair gets an apology. I am not saying the issue is being addressed. It is in the process of being addressed. The position with regard to high energy prices is something that must be tackled——

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: ——but in the medium term energy prices will increase. We must avoid situations where an energy provider like ESB can give a 3.5% wage increase when everyone else in society is not getting that. We must ask questions when average pay in an organisation like that is €76,000 per person. It is worth asking those questions and getting answers to them. It is clear there has been an...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: It does not mean the Government has taken money from the company.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: It does not mean the Government is any less committed to public transport. The debate must be conducted on those terms. The Deloitte & Touche report refers to the need for greater investment in public transport. I believe such investment is forthcoming. One of the capital priorities of this Government is to prioritise public transport. That will have an economic and a social protection...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (29 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: This Bill is narrow in focus. It does not go anywhere near meeting many of the commitments in the programme for Government on electoral and democratic reform. There is already a clear commitment to establish an independent electoral commission and I look forward to that legislation. There is also a commitment to local government reform and democratic reform in general. The Minister will...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (29 Jan 2009)

Dan Boyle: ——and not having two three-seat constituencies in County Donegal. It should be whatever the population demands. I would like to see County Donegal having five or six seats and I would like to see County Kerry having five to six seats. North-east Dublin has three three-seat constituencies and I would like to see two constituencies of five seats and four seats as this would better...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: This Bill is simply intended to allow the borrowing capacity for Bord Gáis Éireann to increase from €1.7 billion to €3 billion. There is an onus on the Government and the Houses of the Oireachtas to allow all State agencies, particularly those in the semi-State sector, to perform to the best of their abilities. There is obvious concern in increasing a credit capacity at a time when as...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: Tomorrow this House will have an opportunity to speak on yesterday's announcements in the other House. It is the first in a series of difficult and unpopular decisions by the Government and there will be more such decisions. Each of those decisions, as they are made, will provoke a response from the Opposition that it is the wrong decision. That is the nature of government. This year our...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: In this House we will debate the bank recapitalisation, how the political system will feel the pain the people are feeling, the added numbers who are unemployed and the changes in the public sector. If the Opposition is serious about dealing with the economic crisis, it is time to come up with common solutions and stop making cheap jibes.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: A problem I have with this evening's compendium Private Members' motion tabled by the Independent Members of the House is that seven items are directly referred to in it but, with only eight minutes in my time slot, it is difficult to divide my time accordingly. However, I will make a valiant attempt to do so. I am on record in this House as having expressed concern and unhappiness about...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: We cannot be churlish about that. The point concerning the abandonment of the people of Tibet in the interests of trade is an issue on which I share many of Senator Norris's concerns. At the time of the Olympic Games last year there was an international impetus to force the Chinese Government to engage in negotiations with representatives of Tibet, but how sincere they are and how that...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: I am not afraid of using platforms like that to remind people of human rights obligations. It was also fair, even though he digressed slightly from the motion before us, that the Minister of State spoke about our having a policy in regard to stateless people here and how we support them. The example of Burma was excellent. I had the privilege of being the only Member of either House of the...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: We have heard of the unpalatable choices that have had to be made in the past week. There seems to be an expectation, fostered by many on the Opposition side, that everything that can be done should be done now. I am not sure whether that is an acceptable economic strategy to be following. We are dealing with an immediate situation where cuts of €2 billion are required owing to the...

Seanad: Child Poverty: Motion (11 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: My background, both professionally and voluntarily, is in community youth work and I disagree with little in the intent and aspirations of the motion. Part of my voluntary career was spent with the National Youth Council of Ireland, which is part of the child poverty coalition, and I am glad a number of my former colleagues are present to monitor the debate. No Member is uncommitted to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: It is good and proper that the House should have an opportunity today to discuss the developing situation of the recapitalisation of the banks. I am aware that the Leader is making every effort to arrange for the appropriate Minister to come to the House to respond. If this proves possible, then the House should have such a debate. The last sitting day of the week is always more difficult....

Seanad: Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Statements (12 Feb 2009)

Dan Boyle: A successful, viable financial banking system needs a number of attributes, chief of which are trust and confidence. It is quite clear that Irish banking, at this time in our country's history, is sadly lacking in both. In dealing with the effects of the failure of trust and confidence, the political system needs to deal in candour and honesty. I must admit I am at a stage where I do not...