Results 21-40 of 3,225 for speaker:Paul Connaughton Snr

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I did and, what is more, I read it. The Minister is not the only one who can read. He might be a senior counsel but--——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: It is this type of glib performance which makes the Minister so arrogant. He is not the only one with a monopoly on intelligence.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: The Minister had his chance to speak and should listen. One of his problems is that he does not listen. The Taoiseach said there was not to be a referendum on 11 June, which is on the record. What has happened in the meantime so that, as a matter of great urgency, it is necessary to hold the referendum on 11 June? I thought the Minister would come to the House today with dramatic figures to...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: It is reasonable to assume that an increasing number of babies would be born to people who are in this country correctly. While Fine Gael fully accepts there is a problem and has no difficulty with section 2, I cannot understand why the Government has created division for no reason other than the desire to hold the referendum on 11 June. I am long enough in the House to know there must be a...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: However, the four masters afterwards said they did not in any way ask the Minister to do that. It was obvious they were asking for extra investment and greater facilities. The Minister was not able to distance himself from this and buried his head in the sand.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: If that is the case, the Minister should tell the House that the masters of the maternity hospitals were wrong.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: That is not what I asked.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I will.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: As I gave way, I will put a straight question. Did the masters of the maternity hospitals ask the Minister to have a referendum to solve the problem? I want the Minister to answer that question now.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I know that, but I gave way to the Minister.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: They did not ask him to have a referendum.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: He denied that. The referendum is being held on a flawed basis. Why was that matter not put to the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution? It exists to deal with such issues. There is no more appropriate place to discuss it. The referendum could have been held without any bitterness next October.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: The people would like to see some change, but it must be done in a fair and even-handed way. I have heard enough from the Minister today to know that this referendum is being held on a flawed basis. Everyone in the House accepts there is a problem. Why foist this referendum on the people on 11 June when electronic voting will be used, which will be a major problem for many citizens? There...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I am surprised at the Minister because Fianna Fáil are masters in this area. Canvassers will be asked many searching questions on the doorsteps about the Government's stewardship of the economy for the past two or three years. There is a significant gap between the rich and the poor in this country. The Minister thought the best way to camouflage the problems was to introduce an issue which...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Fianna Fáil is having a holiday because it allowed the Minister to take the rap for it, which is what Fianna Fáil always does. Given the importance of this issue, why did the Minister not decide to hold the referendum on its own next October? Why did he not consult with all the groups, such as the SDLP? I hope there is no racism. It is only being mentioned because the Minister decided to...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: She was probably not consulted.

Written Answers — Bus Stops: Bus Stops (4 May 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the procedure for the location of bus stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11024/04]

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (4 May 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 117: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the development of the metro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11029/04]

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (4 May 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will reduce the severity of the three-year rule for participation in community employment schemes; if her Department and the FÁS authorities are aware of the effect the present three-year rule has and will have on community employment schemes, particularly in rural based schemes; if her attention has...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 May 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the penalties which will apply as a result of a decision by his Department to penalise a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the bovine schemes for 2003; the level of penalty which will apply to the suckler cow grant 2003 and other livestock grants applied for; if such a penalty will apply to this person for their ewe...