Results 3,801-3,820 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I prefer the views of those who participate in the process, irrespective of the parties or individuals for whom they vote. I have some extremely old-fashioned views. Anyone who knows me would state that I would never say something in this House which I would not also say outside. The only difference is that I am making pronouncements on the opposite side of the House from that which I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed). (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: While I appreciate the reasoning behind this amendment, I do not propose to accept it. Senator Wilson is trying to take account of a situation where European elections or local authority elections might be held close to a by-election. We must bear in mind from where we are coming with regard to the proposed amendment of section 29 of the Electoral Act 1992. Up to now the position has been...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thought commissions were set up to ensure there would be no gerrymandering. I am sure they are fair. We cannot have our loaf and eat it in this regard. I was not around at the time, but perhaps the perception - which is everything - was that additions were being made to constituencies to suit a Minister with a strong vote in a certain area.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: In fairness, the commission will be independent. In reply to Senator Wilson who always asks a prescient question, the membership of the commission is set down in law. Section 7 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 reads: A Constituency Commission shall consist of the following members: (a) (i) a judge of the Supreme Court, or (ii) following consultation with the President of the High...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I am very proud that it is known as the Lake County and of everything we have available in Westmeath. We have tremendous facilities. If the Senator ever visits the county, he will find the finest of equestrian facilities, lakes and much more and will be very welcome. I am a little miffed and aggrieved that part of north Westmeath was hived off in forming the constituency of Meath West....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I am quite happy to speak to the section but I like to reply to each individual who makes a contribution. Senator Cullinane, for whom I have the height of respect, is perceptive but he appears to have missed the point. In his Second Stage contribution the Minister, Deputy Hogan, highlighted the Government's intention to reduce the size and the cost of Government. The change to the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: There is no use talking about the average industrial wage. I have brothers on the average industrial wage, and I will not be lectured on that. I have been there. I set up my own business and I know the difference between being employed and being self-employed. Most people work 39 hours a week but my average working week is approximately 70 hours. If that was factored over a period per...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I pay tribute to Senators for their contributions. They ranged far and wide and there were no barriers.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I learned more today than in 40 years of participation in politics.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I compliment Senators for the depth of their knowledge compared to the ignorance I must profess. Their contributions are well meaning and thoroughly researched. My praise is genuine. I do not engage in patronising speech and people will hear from me quicker than they might like if I think something is wrong. Senator Mooney spoke about the fundamental reappraisal of the constituency...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I appeal to candidates to come forward in County Westmeath. They will find a more than willing advocate.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I had some tough times with her.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: That is correct. The Government has made its decision but in the last election, 86 or 15.19% of 566 candidates were women. Of the 166 Deputies returned, 25 or 15.01% were women. Senators will know where I am coming from. The proportion of men to women is approximately 50:50 but this has never been reflected in Dáil representation. In fairness to the Seanad, it has moved far ahead of the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Yes, it is probably harder. I hope the legislation on political funding to be introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, will deal with it. However, I have a view that including something in a law is not necessarily the best way of dealing with it, but who am I but a small fry. I want to address the amendments specifically because people...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is not the gospel on the ground.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I must travel throughout the country now and people in my constituency tell me they have not seen me around. The time I spend sitting at Cabinet meetings from 9.30 a.m. or 10.00 a.m. until 1 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. is time I normally would have spent in the constituency. How does one win? I pose this question to the Senators because they are all politicians, some of whom have been practising the...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Sep 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is open to any person or household to apply to a housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. Each application will be considered by the relevant housing authority to determine whether an applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support having regard to the particular circumstances of the case. When considering an application for social...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (14 Sep 2011)

Willie Penrose: Under my Department's Social Housing Improvement Programme, funding of up to 90% of the approved cost is provided to Housing Authorities to undertake improvement works to occupied and vacant social housing units, including works to improve the energy efficiency and general standard of the houses concerned. Some €31 million is being made available for this purpose in 2011. My Department...

Written Answers — Voluntary Housing Schemes: Voluntary Housing Schemes (14 Sep 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the local authorities. Approved housing bodies are responsible for the proper...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (14 Sep 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department's involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Mayo County Council submitted a proposal under my...