Results 441-460 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

John Whelan: I would have thought that by now we in this country would have learned the consequences of turning a blind eye. We have seen in no uncertain terms what happens when we have light-touch regulation in the financial services sector, and we are all still paying the price for it, as the previous Senator stated, and we will continue to do so. We have also seen what happens when we have lax or no...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

John Whelan: It does what it likes with immunity. Thanks to the Cathaoirleach I was able to table a question to the Minister on the Adjournment last Thursday and I was horrified to learn the EPA is accountable to no one. It is not answerable to the Minister or the Department and it is not accountable to the Oireachtas. It is a law unto itself and it is going about the country on tyre-kicking exercises...

Seanad: End-of-Life Care and Bereavement: Motion (16 Apr 2014)

John Whelan: I welcome the opportunity to address this motion tabled by Senator O’Donnell who deserves all credit and thanks for providing us with the chance to have a constructive discourse around this important topic. I am relieved the Government, through the influence of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, decided to withdraw the amendment to the motion. I do not know how we would...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I am grateful to the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad this afternoon to respond to what I have to say about local authorities being allowed to put out to tender the contracts to stock Irish libraries. I was appalled to learn that many similar contracts are being farmed out to overseas companies and multinationals at a time when we should be taking all opportunities to sustain and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State. I am glad the Government realises there is an issue at stake here. I am pleased it is embarking on a range of positive and constructive initiatives to address the problem. While I accept that we need open, transparent and fair tendering and procurement processes, I do not think it is fair for multinationals to be able to undercut and underbid Irish firms. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I am looking forward to the imminent Cabinet reshuffle, which cannot come soon enough. I hope it is robust and radical and that the Taoiseach takes the opportunity to appoint Ministers and Ministers of State who will listen to the public and their representatives.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: It is a reasonable point.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: The Taoiseach said this week that he would like to think that we would learn from the situation in Rossport. I would also like to think that we would learn from it. However, there is no evidence in the planning process that we are. Only this week, An Bord Pleanála overturned the decision of Offaly County Council and Laois County Council to grant planning permission for gigantic and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Yes. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to explain the reason planning permission for wind farms the length and breadth of the country is being granted at a time when there is a vacuum in terms of planning regulation and guidelines in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I believe the delay in introducing the guidelines is a tactic to ensure that the planning permissions have been approved before they come into force. It is a scandal and must be stopped.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Thanks to extensive media coverage over the past week, most people in the country are aware of the dastardly deed that took place in Dalkey earlier this week - the cruel and callous attempt to poison peregrine falcons nesting in the quarry. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, and we have records of recent attempts to kill, poison or shoot protected species such as white-tailed...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Bacik, and Senator Ó Murchú, who have highlighted that in this country we have had more than our share of miscarriages of justice. In the week that we mourn the passing of Gerry Conlon, one such victim, it is appropriate that we bring to the notice of the House, the Tánaiste and the Government that we should not have any truck...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Why are the people of Laois not being afforded the same opportunity to have high-voltage power cables placed underground?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I will tell the House why. This EirGrid expansion is being built for the benefit of big wind-farm developers who want to destroy the countryside with industrial wind farms within 500 m of people's homes.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I do. I want the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to come to the House and explain why the planning laws are different in two different parts of the country. Why do we have the biggest conflict of interest in this country between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, EirGrid and the wind-energy developers who want to impose these giant industrial wind farms...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I want to alert the Leader and the Government that the public's patience is wearing thin and people will not have these wind farms imposed on top of their farms, families and houses.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Back to School Costs (3 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. As he will be aware, despite the fact that the school holidays have only commenced, issues surrounding the back to school clothing and footwear scheme are arising already. This is a particularly stressful and arduous time for families and parents and many thousands of children benefit from the scheme annually. My concern is those families who, because...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Back to School Costs (3 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive response. I am heartened to see the commitment of the Minister to the book rental scheme, of which there is a good take-up across the country. However, there are blind spots and schools that are reluctant; therefore, some effort and co-operation are required between management of a school, the teachers, parents and students. Perhaps the...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency: Motion (9 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I move: That Seanad Éireann:- commends the policy as set out in the Programme for Government for environmental protection, environmental controls and regulation, with particular reference to encouraging the use of recycling, resource efficiencies and to establishing a rigorous enforcement regime; - commends the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for his...