Results 421-440 of 6,030 for speaker:Brendan Ryan

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I support the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes on the Local Government Bill; the Labour Party shares the views of his party. This is too profound an issue to be entered into without seriously considering the constitutional issues. The idea that individuals could be precluded from participation in elections because of membership of the Oireachtas is full of constitutional implications. The idea...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: The fact that things are done wrong once does not justify them being done wrong twice. Senator Mansergh of all people should understand the way the world is organised.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I did not interrupt myself.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: With all due respect, the reprimand ought to be directed elsewhere. Yesterday the Data Protection Commissioner was reported as being concerned about the issuing of what he described as a secret directive on data retention. Interestingly, he said the person responsible for this secret directive was the Leader of the House. Perhaps she would like to explain what he meant by this secret...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I do not know him but I do know what his job is.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I have great respect for his job. I raised the issue of data privacy on an unrelated matter yesterday morning. Sometimes Fianna Fáil does not understand these things but it is extremely important. After the behaviour of Fianna Fáil councillors in Loughrea in rezoning land on which the motorway was supposed to be built perhaps the Government is right to introduce the Local Government Bill....

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I will not respond to that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: There was a lack of consultation.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: When Mr. De Rossa and I arrived in the Houses, at around the same time, we were both on the Euro-critical wing of politics. Our views on Europe have not changed much since. We are still concerned about the same issues – it is a question of perspective. Perhaps Mr. De Rossa will elaborate on the extending of the Petersberg Tasks, as Senator McDowell mentioned. Second, how does he see...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Perhaps we could make him permanent here.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I am just looking to swap with the Minister.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I listened to the debate about competition, health insurance and related matters and then I saw the complexity of what has to be done in terms of risk equalisation and preserving both community rating and lifetime coverage. It is as well to consider whether competition via multiple insurance agencies is necessarily the best route. I do not have an ideological issue about competition; I have...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Yes, the people intervened. There was a lack of regulation, transparency and accountability which has nothing to do with the current Minister. On the other hand, we all know that if one goes into a private hospital and one has reasonable VHI cover, there is an argument as to whether 90% of the tests, each of which commands a small fee from the health insurance agency, is necessary. There is a...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Yes. For what it is worth, I support the Bill. No sensible person could object to it. The idea that competition is the best route to providing efficient health insurance is wide open to debate. EU competition policy, which is ideal for so many areas, should not stretch into an area where people are not able to make free choice and where risk equalisation and community rating comes in the...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I understood that part of the function of Second Stage was to ask the Minister questions about the Bill.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: That is fine. I can do a lot in a minute. My final point is that the Minister's Department can afford printers that can print the € sign.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Something extraordinary happened yesterday. It relates to a matter which the Leader and I have often discussed. The Convention on the Future of Europe was discussed at great length in this House, although one would not pick this up from the newspaper coverage. I hope the media in general will spare me their sanctimonious editorials over the next six months about politicians not doing their...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: That is, effectively, what he said in his letter – that it was up to individual gardaí to make the decision according to no criteria. He wrote to the National Safety Council. That gave extremely bad example and is not the way to inculcate respect for the law in the population at large. Let me also ask the Leader what is happening to the Local Government Bill 2003. We have read of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Every journalist in Leinster House appears to know more about the differing views than this House in which the Bill is being debated. I invite Senators on the Government side to let us have a little of the action on their inside rebellion. We might even throw in a contribution to their constitutional challenge if they speak nicely to us. Senator O'Toole reckons we have loads of money. We...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: My favourite Deputy in Cork North-Central is also threatening to contribute to the fund. It no longer involves Deputy Ring alone – it has broadened out further. Perhaps the Senators are in total agreement and will not object. Nevertheless, it would be appropriate for the House to hear of these matters and have a real debate and, of course, a free vote.