Results 21-40 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Seanad: Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: There will be an opportunity for Senators to raise these issues by way of an amendment to the Finance Bill. In response to Senator Mansergh, the 90% agricultural relief also stands, even though Senator McDowell may not agree with it.

Seanad: Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: I am glad that his view and that of the Minister have matured during the years, although they still continue to differ. The Bill consolidates the law relating to capital acquisitions tax which is contained in the Capital Acquisitions Tax Act 1976 and provisions in subsequent Finance Acts. The new consolidation Bill continues the very successful process of the ongoing modernisation of the tax...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: I am speaking this evening on behalf of the Minister for Finance who is attending the ECOFIN meeting in Brussels today. I very much welcome this motion which endorses the recent measures introduced by the Government to improve the management of public expenditure and underlines the need for continuing effective control of public expenditure in 2003. In my address I will outline the context...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: I thank Senators for their substantial contributions. I noted the quality of the contributions, which helped make for a good discussion of the 2003 Estimates. There was no attempt on the part of the Government to be over-congratulatory. Its purpose was to point out where the outturn was to come in light of the serious misconceptions that were held in regard to it. The reality is that we ended...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: Senator Higgins painted a grim picture in regard to job losses and it is true that we have some difficulties in this regard. He mentioned the issue of competitiveness, which came up throughout the debate. This appears to be a problem particularly in regard to our traditional manufacturing industries. The point was made that the bulk of these industries were owned by multinational companies...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: The Senator certainly looks very fresh. The fact that such people are concerned about job security is an indication of the changed times. I have been through phases in my life where job security was a major issue, as is the case with many of the Senators here. The Government is concerned about job security and the need to be competitive and has attempted to tackle these matters in the budget....

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Tom Parlon: She made a valid point about the issue of competitiveness and about the euro versus the dollar. The uncertain global political situation is a major issue for us going forward.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I would not be asked that question in the first place.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: Wishful thinking.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I have heard the Senator say nice things about me previously.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: That is not true.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: While listening to some of the thoughtful contributions, I was thinking of places where I spent previous Ash Wednesdays. This is an unusual venue in which to spend such a day.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I hope that in the future we will remember this Ash Wednesday for more positive reasons. I refer here to developments in Northern Ireland. It is interesting that we are here at this early hour. I have no difficulty with being present and I found the debate stimulating. I thank Senators for their contributions. The debate reflects generally on the high esteem in which the Freedom of...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I was moved by the personal expressions of interest and concern for the future of my party. Senator John Paul Phelan was concerned that we would become redundant. Many commentators said likewise before the election. We doubled our seats, which is not a bad performance for any party.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: The Senator's party would have been pleased with such a result.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: At this early hour, I will avoid any further political retorts.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: We all accept that when the FOI was introduced—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: —it was regarded as radical and reforming and had the potential to make a significant contribution to the way public bodies conduct their business and how they relate to the public. By and large, the Act has achieved this. No Member has given credit to the fact that since the Act was passed, 67 bodies came under its remit but that number has expanded to almost 380. One of the first jobs I...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: —is intimately related to such discussions. The Government has also moved to protect the decision-making process of Government, which is vital. Like myself, a number of Members are new to the House and may not appreciate the sensitivities of Government decisions.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I was not referring to the Senator.