Results 401-420 of 10,977 for speaker:Timmy Dooley

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: I wish to share time with Senator Kitt, by agreement.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: I welcome the Minister of State and his comprehensive statement to the House. It is obvious his statement is baffling to some on the other side of the House because we listened to contributions which were prepared in advance of the events of the past two weeks. No recognition was given to the substance of the Flynn reports and there was not acceptance that decentralisation is not something...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: Senator Bannon is talking rubbish. He is like a goat tied to a pole, going around in a circle with no concept of what is going on. The Senator decried the Government for the fact that house prices would drop. This is appalling given that he repeatedly complains in the House in regard to the price of houses and that young couples cannot buy houses. His point is self-defeating. We will not need...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: It is wonderful to hear the type of rhetoric Senator Bannon throws at us on an ongoing basis.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: The point which many emphasise is that there is no understanding or care for the staff involved in decentralisation. The Opposition rightly identified an issue when decentralisation was first mooted. It asked the Government the question——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: Will the Senator wait to hear what I have to say?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: Senator John Paul Phelan might not want to hear what I have to say, although, to be fair, he made a relatively good contribution.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: If it is hurtful, I apologise. The point I was trying to make was that the Opposition rightly asked a question of Government when decentralisation was announced, namely, whether the Government would force people out of jobs in Dublin into parts of rural Ireland. The answer from Government was that the moves would not be forced, that it would work with the unions-——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: ——and that it would work to ensure staff were appointed to positions they wanted, where possible. This has obviously proved a greater difficulty than some might have understood it to be. We accept that staff cannot be forced into jobs they do not want or to areas to which they do not want to go. However, Opposition Members are still not happy. They decry the fact that the towns are not...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: The Opposition would force civil servants into jobs they do not want.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: If that is to be the policy of the Opposition in its response to the decentralisation programme in the run-up to the next general election, I would be delighted to see it on paper.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: I would be delighted to challenge Senator Bannon as he stated the Government parties will suffer the effects of this at the next elections.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: The one message coming from Senator Bannon's contribution is that he and his party, Fine Gael, which opposed decentralisation for so long, now accept it is required for balanced regional development and the development of rural Ireland, and to promote life outside Dublin. However, as a result of this, Fine Gael will force people out. It is a serious move. It was worthwhile having this debate...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: I am particularly delighted that County Clare is part of the first phase and that jobs are being transferred to Kilrush as part of the Revenue Commissioners' response, as Senator Finucane stated, in the context of the cluster which includes Newcastle West and Listowel.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: I have no doubt this will be welcomed, as was the past decentralisation programme in which Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick were clustered. Decentralisation is an evolving process. From the time Fianna Fáil set about this programme, it has ensured the regions were developed and built up.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: We are at one with the Opposition in terms of recognising the importance of decentralisation to the growth of the regions. Senator O'Meara referred to Ryanair's announcement today that it will invest approximately €180 million to €200 million, which is a fantastic recognition of the mid-west and west. I am delighted the Western Development Commission in recent days began encouraging...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: Of course it was. To the best of my recollection, nobody on this side said that 10,000 staff would be delivered in three years. It is the use of a selective quotation, a practice with which the Opposition is familiar.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: A Member referred to the Fianna Fáil-led Government as being over-ambitious. This is the first time an Opposition has criticised a Government for being ambitious. This is what the Opposition lacks, irrespective of whether it can see it. The reality is that the Government has been ambitious in regard to delivering jobs to the regions, removing the clog in infrastructure from Dublin city and...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Timmy Dooley: The Senator is making a false assumption.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Timmy Dooley: Concern has been expressed over the emergence of off-licences following changes in the habits of people consuming alcohol. The concern relates to a deficiency in the planning laws which allows someone to change the use of a premises without the approval of the planning authority. Local councillors would like an input into the change of use of a premises from another commercial activity to an...