Results 381-400 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Noel Coonan: One good turn deserves another.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Noel Coonan: Does that include the proposed Garda reserve force numbers?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I am amazed that people are running scared because the Garda may become a political issue. From my experience, gardaí have been politically appointed down through the years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: The Garda Representative Association is not the only body which has concerns about the legislation to set up a reserve force. The association is not concerned about the legislation but rather the manner in which the reserve force is being put forward. It has legitimate concerns. I do not know the reason we are running scared because these people are speaking of their concerns. It is not so...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I appreciate that, but I want to make the point that all ranks represented by Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors also has difficulty with the legislation. The political appointees are the only people who do not have a problem with this legislation. I admire the groups for speaking out.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: These people are not threatening to form a political party but they want their voices heard. They have not been heard up to now despite all their efforts to speak out. We must take on board their legitimate concerns, and they must be aired in this House and the other House. The Minister must listen to the Garda Síochána.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I would much prefer them to be protecting law and order in this country than for there to be some special force. We had the B Specials before in the North of Ireland, we do not want a Garda special force here again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: That is why she is getting the job.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: Top management is politically appointed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: On a point of order, I can prove it. My father wanted to join the Garda. He filled his application form but it never passed the local sergeant——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: ——because he was a supporter of the wrong political party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I can prove it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I can prove it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: They are. For years they have been seeking an independent body to appoint them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: Last week the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced a staffing grant of €100,000 for a crèche centre in Templemore. This is most welcome but the problem is that the centre is not yet built. The planning process is under way at present. Now that the war chest is full and such grants will be allocated over the summer, can the Leader ensure equal treatment for the taxpayers...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: This case could be explained but there are many other examples. The Progressive Democrats are as good at pulling a stroke as Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: Perhaps we can get a response to ensure that all children are treated equally and that the war chest is distributed equally.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I support Senator Finucane's call for a debate on housing. Half the population live on the east coast and the rest live in the remainder of the country. It might be useful if the Leader arranged for us to have a breakdown of the figures pertaining to house construction across the country. In Templemore, which is in my part of the country, not one local authority house has been built in at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: That is an indication of how the Government treats the people in rural Ireland. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on agriculture. Normally when one calls for such a debate, one asks for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to come to the House. However, the Minister seems to have lost control of what is happening in agriculture and we possibly need a debate involving the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: It has had no local authority housing.