Results 4,521-4,540 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I want to speak on these amendments, in particular, in favour of amendment No. 27 because I see the rationale for it. I would ask that the Minister of State take that amendment into account. Senator Boyhan quite rightly mentioned two words, "accountability" and "transparency". The making of a county development plan or local area plan is the reserve function of councillors but they require...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Having heard the views of various Senators, I want to give an alternative view. I have genuine fears in this regard. My concerns are based on past experience of previous national plans. Senators have mentioned the national spatial strategy, which has been an abject failure. It was diluted too strongly to the point where there was something for everyone in the audience. The Fianna...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: That is what the national planning framework devises. If we are going to bring the national planning framework in here to have it voted on by every Deputy and Senator, it will be torn to shreds. The national spatial strategy that was proposed by Fianna Fáil in the 2000s proved that, as did the subsequent decentralisation programme. It is not good planning and it is not good...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: We saw that with decentralisation.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I must have an opportunity to respond to Senator Kevin Humphreys. That is on the record.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: On a point of order,-----

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: It is not a view. On a point of order,-----

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: -----there was reference to statements that were ascribed to me. That was not what I had said and the record will prove that.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: For the record, and I think I deserve this opportunity, I stated that we were debating a national planning framework and we should not allow that framework to be torn asunder and brought back into parish-pump politics like previous national planning frameworks.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome this amendment. We need to learn from the Apple case in the west of Ireland. The Minister of State did not name the company involved, but I am happy to do so. The delays in that case were such that the proposed communications and data infrastructure did not ultimately go ahead. I believe this was a loss to Ireland, Inc. and to the Irish economy. I appreciate the concern...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation: Motion (14 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minster to the House. This is a very sad debate. It is another very dark and sad legacy from our past that has been brought out into the open and into the light through the bravery and courage of those who have suffered. I, too, want to welcome Jason and Colin to the Visitors Gallery. Without their perseverance, strength and courage, this sad legacy of Irish society which...

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I too welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. I note the Minister of State has been spending quite a bit of time in Seanad Éireann in recent weeks, debating the various issues and challenges society currently faces. At the outset, I too want to recognise the purpose of the Bill, which is to try to address the concerns regarding short-term letting and the impact it...

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Mental Healthcare in South-East Region: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this matter, which is impacting citizens and patients in my area of the south east. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. As previous speakers said, he is always prepared to face up to his responsibilities as a Minister. Unfortunately, I have to agree with other speakers with regard to the unacceptable situation that has...

Seanad: Mental Healthcare in South-East Region: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: It is proposed that we will meet tomorrow at 11.45 a.m. for a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas and, that on conclusion of the joint sitting, the Seanad will adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the witnesses and commend them on their work. I read with interest the more detailed submission that was circulated to committee members. It was clear that the WDC was playing a significant role in the economic development of the western region. I come from the south east, and I would love to have such a voice working for us across various sectors, be it with the Government,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I appreciate that response. It is in the interests of the western region and the region from which I come, the south east, because the Port of Waterford is an access point to continental Europe. It was served by a freight train service that, unfortunately, has ceased. If we want to sustain the port into the future, we must identify new opportunities. If the Western Development Commission...

Seanad: Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (10 Jul 2018)

Paudie Coffey: It is being made available to the Senator. I ask the Minister to continue.

Seanad: Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (10 Jul 2018)

Paudie Coffey: We will now take spokespersons. First I call Senator Ned O'Sullivan. He has eight minutes.

Seanad: Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (10 Jul 2018)

Paudie Coffey: That can be accommodated.