Results 441-460 of 6,030 for speaker:Brendan Ryan

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Will the Leader ascertain from the Minister for Environment and Local Government if there will be significant amendments to the Local Government Bill 2003 in this House or does the Minister intend to rush it through and deal with the amendments in the other House when they become troublesome?

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (27 Feb 2003)

Brendan Ryan: This is one of a number of debates we have had in this House in which normal political confrontation is left aside. One of a number of purposes Seanad Éireann can serve is to provide a forum for serious and reflective discussion. I am not saying anything negative about the normal political confrontation which is a necessary part of the way democracy functions. This issue is among the most...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: On a normal Tuesday there are so many issues I would like to raise. The decision by the police authorities in London to reintroduce officers on the beat, having discovered, as everyone knew, that this works or the heroic display of democracy by the Parliament of Turkey last weekend in the face of the most extraordinary bribery are issues we should debate. I wish to be associated with the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I was dealing with Stalinists when Members opposite did not know what they were. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I was talking about the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: In terms of the way the House does its business, to produce a Bill of such gargantuan impact on a Friday morning and demand that we dispose of it by Tuesday night is an example of the Fianna Fáil of old, which I thought had been consigned to history. Some things emerge after a period: first, a leopard does not change its spots; and, second, a poodle is no match for a leopard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Six.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Six feet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I was obviously wrong. "Subversion" understated it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: What about the staff? They do not know when they can go home because the Leader will not tell them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: She used to be.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: The Minister will not give them enough money.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: That is a travesty.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: That is rich on the day that is in it.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: It has been accentuated by today's business.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: That was another Labour Party idea.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: I welcome the Minister of State and agree with Senator Henry that if ever a man was made for a job, it was he. Just like the Dalai Lama it seems he was being formed for it since he was born. The country is well served by the political representatives we have attached to the Convention. It is good that, for the first time, we have a broad range of political representation. The two main parties...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Perhaps five minutes is too short. What we are seeing in each of these debates is that people have much to say about the European Union and the European project. Perhaps we should look again at it. I compliment the Minister of State and all our representatives for the work they are doing in Europe and also for their willingness to participate in a wider debate. I cannot resist concluding by...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: No. I am saying that I suggested that we have this debate.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Brendan Ryan: Please do.