Results 301-320 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: Yes. It is fitting that the Minister visited Portlaoise to record and acknowledge an event that took place 30 years ago. Today, the Dáil will pass the Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill, which will pay tribute to and finally honour the Irishmen who left the Irish Army during the Second World War to fight against the forces of fascism in Europe. The record...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: This is an important point.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: As I do not usually go over time, perhaps the Cathaoirleach will bear with me. The State should find a mechanism to recognise the role played by gardaí, prison officers and soldiers at a time when the law and institutions of the State, including the Oireachtas, were being subverted and placed under severe threat by subversive elements. This is the least we can do.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (8 May 2013)

John Whelan: It is with some degree of disappointment and dismay that I raise the issue this afternoon once again of narcolepsy sufferers and their families in this country. On the advice of the Cathaoirleach - which was very good advice and which I took - I raised the matter on the Adjournment on 27 September last year. At that stage the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, indicated that the...

Seanad: Wind Energy Guidelines: Statements (15 May 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and thank her for agreeing to this debate which was sought only a short time ago by the Seanad. She is receptive to our views and not dismissive of our position on the issue. We are not looking for anything more than a little balance to be brought to the policy on wind energy production. I am pleased and heartened that the Minister of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: I beg to differ with Senator Leyden. It is not unpatriotic to ask people to pay tax. In fact, it is the contrary.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: We pursue people in this country if they are overpaid social welfare payments.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: I spoke to members of a family last week which received a small tax rebate and a year later, the Revenue Commissioners decided it was an overpayment and sent debt collectors after them with penalties. The issue has been discussed in Europe for some time and Ms Nessa Childers, MEP has brought it up when speaking about tax justice. We are the envy of Europe and the UK with what was regarded...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: We need the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation or the Minister for Finance to come to the House to clarify the effective rate of tax.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: We will be paying a double whammy as the issue will not go away. The G8 will address it in Fermanagh next month.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

John Whelan: We will lose jobs and tax. The effective rate of tax in this country for ordinary workers is 51% for anybody earning over €35,000. Are we to say that multinationals are not paying their fair share? All we are seeking is the 12.5% rate to be paid on profits. There is nothing wrong or unjust about that and it should not jeopardise foreign direct investment into the country. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: I wish to add my voice to the cross-party call by Senators Landy, Kelly and Ó Domhnaill with regard to home help services. This is not a party political issue and no one in the House would not be concerned about care of the elderly. I commend the Leader on the expeditious manner in which he facilitates debates on issues raised on the Order of Business and brings Ministers before the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: I am seeking a debate. I support the call for a debate. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, stated a fortnight ago that she was appalled to have been misled with regard to the recruitment of staff to mental health services.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: Now we have the same craic with regard to home help services because the hours have not been restored. The hours have been cut and the service is being privatised by stealth.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: One cannot care for someone with only 15 minutes allocated services. It is absurd. We will not let go of this issue. We will pursue it until we have proper answers.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: I am glad to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House, and I am pleased that she is taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. Over the past two years we have raised many issues in the House, particularly health and social matters, and none can really be classed as more important than another. Nevertheless, I am convinced that I have raised nothing...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: I take the point and I do not mean any disrespect in that regard. The case pertains to a man to whom I can relate in a personal capacity as he is only 48 years old, which I would regard as very young. For him to be confined to a nursing home for the past 14 years is distressing to me and his family. He has a caring and loving family and his siblings do everything possible for him, although...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (23 May 2013)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am a little heartened that she went off script because up to that it was the standard HSE position, which sets the alarm bells ringing for St. Joseph's House and which seems to be on the way to being phased out. I understand the policy. It would be great if everybody could be cared for in their own homes and in a non-institutional setting....

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

John Whelan: I refer to the future of Coillte, an issue raised by colleagues from all sides. There is consensus in the House that Coillte should remain in public ownership. As my colleague, Senator Comiskey, has pointed out, the Government has moved to appoint a new Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Tom Hayes, and I wish him well in his work. He will have...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

John Whelan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his forbearance and ask the Leader to inform the public and this House of the proposed date for the referendum on the abolition of Seanad.