Results 4,521-4,540 of 5,046 for speaker:Paschal Mooney

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: The people have spoken. Therefore, if Europe is to mean anything other than just an economic unit which appears to be the agenda of many of the larger and richer countries, that are controlled largely by banking interests and those not interested in the distress and trauma experienced not only the Greek people but others who have suffered from austerity policies in recent years, they are the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I will leave the House with one specific issue surrounding all the debate taking place between the Tsipras Government and the European institutions. The European institutions have called for a dramatic increase in tourism tax on VAT, from 6% to 23%. That would crush and destroy the Greek tourism industry.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: That is an indication and an insight into the agenda of a number of countries. It is not at all about humanitarianism or the moral imperative that all of us are joined up in Europe, that Europe is more than just an economic unit. It is about real people and their difficulties. We should be doing something about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Some of the money was being sought for Leitrim.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Yes, €3 million is some amount of money.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: There were enough Fine Gael Deputies around yesterday. We know what was the message.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Buying votes.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator White. A few weeks ago, Senator Norris and others raised the issue of an alleged village called Susiya in the West Bank. A number of us had received information on this by e-mail. I decided that in this instance I would contact the Israeli embassy to establish exactly what its position was. Inevitably what happens in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Yes, but I wish to put on the record of the House the Israeli side of the situation. They say that the authorities in the area have offered alternative lands nearby which will improve the petitioners' quality of living, enabling access to civil infrastructure systems and improve access to educational facilities. They state the offer does not obstruct the continuation of the same...

Seanad: Report of Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I welcome our former colleagues to the House. Are 500 people required to nominate somebody for direct election? I saw a figure of 500 mentioned somewhere in this. That seemed to me to be a ridiculous figure. I will rain on somebody's parade by saying this but there seems to be a growing perception that the decision of the Irish people to retain this House contained within it a passion for...

Seanad: Report of Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: We have a bigger support base than was thought.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is comprehensive legislation, however, like the election candidate on the night of the election count who, unsure of the outcome, carries two speeches, one of acceptance and one of concession, I have two documents that relate to the Bill. The first is a briefing note relating to the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 which I...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I am glad the Acting Chairman have reminded me because I want to finish with a flourish. It is always good to finish with a flourish. I have carried out some research on the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Act. Senator Paul Coghlan will be familiar with the legislation because it relates to Muckross, County Kerry. What is extraordinary about the matter is that Arthur Rose Vincent was an Irish...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Mr. Vincent had a distinguished career under the British colonial system which unfortunately I cannot go into. He refused a judgeship in the British courts because of the executions of the 1916 leaders. He was an Independent Member of this House from 1931 to 1934 having been elected in a by-election. He took the seat vacated by the death of the then Senator Patrick Kenny. Mr. Vincent was...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: It is an extraordinary story. History will be made here by the repeal of the legislation.

Seanad: Conditions of Work: Motion (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I will not keep the House long but I add my voice in support of this motion, which is an all-party motion, although particular acknowledgement and tribute is due to Senators Power, van Turnhout and others. Like many colleagues who have already referred to it, I too was happy to meet representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and to sign its petition on having a living wage of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Caller Helpline: Samaritans Ireland and Telecommunications and Internet Federation (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I welcome the representatives and endorse everything that has been said about the wonderful work the Samaritans are doing. Also, the corporate sector should be complimented. It does not often receive kudos, but in this instance it has certainly risen to the challenge. While I understand that decisions have yet to be taken, I am encouraged by the remarks that discussions are ongoing. When...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Caller Helpline: Samaritans Ireland and Telecommunications and Internet Federation (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I presume the telecommunications companies involved are very supportive of the expansion of the service? After all, part of their raison d'êtreis to improve broadband speeds. One assumes, therefore, that it could all work in tandem. Is Mr. Moore saying, however, that the Samaritans will have to put in a significant investment itself?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Caller Helpline: Samaritans Ireland and Telecommunications and Internet Federation (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Is that cost significant?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Caller Helpline: Samaritans Ireland and Telecommunications and Internet Federation (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I am raising this issue because I was indirectly involved, some years ago, in efforts by a group to establish a similar helpline for missing persons. That group had several meetings with the Department of Justice and Equality but the latter refused to give funding on the basis that it was too costly. As I understand it, a missing persons helpline has still not been set up, primarily because...