Results 441-460 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: In the spirit that this is a very swift, pragmatic and important Bill I refer to the case of Godsil v. the Attorney General. The citizens of this city require and need to be directly involved as to whether they should have a directly-elected mayor.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I am endeavouring to widen the scope of the Bill and I am trying to set out my argument under section 1.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: How can I make my point if I have not put forward the full argument? The Minister needs to hear the whole argument.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I wish to make the argument that the scope of this Bill should be widened. We have both Committee Stage and Report Stage to deal with it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: In my Second Stage contribution I referred to the Local Government Reform Act among many other Acts. I have no issue with the pragmatic and swift response to the Godsil case and we should look at a pragmatic and swift response to the fact that the citizens of Dublin are being denied the right to have a direct say on whether-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: -----they wish to have a directly-elected mayor. I would like to continue to make my argument and to hear the Minister's response.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the Minister for his courteous response. There is a sense that he is disappointed with the vote. I do not wish to single out one council over another but the combined vote in all four council areas is 98% to 19%, which is significant. I do not wish to put words in the Minister's mouth but there may be a legislative opportunity for the plebiscite to happen in the lifetime of this...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I would like to finish off-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I am speaking-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: We are debating section 1.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: Taking all Stages of a Bill on one day presents a problem if Members table amendments, because we cannot respond. I accept the ruling on this but my concern is not so much about the councillors but that the citizens, residents and electorate of the metropolitan area have a direct say in how their city is run. Some may disagree with the idea of a directly elected mayor, but a plebiscite...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the Government for introducing this pragmatic Bill. We are all in unison about its importance and the pragmatism in swiftly enacting such a Bill. We are proud to have been a part of it. We thank a citizen who moved the Oireachtas to introduce a Bill that will enhance the democratic right of a citizen to become a Member of this House or the European Parliament. I do not know her,...

Seanad: Racism in Ireland: Motion (4 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I move: “That Seanad Éireann: notes–- that tackling racism and promoting diversity is not just the responsibility of Government: everybody in Irish society, including individuals, organisations, businesses, governmental and non-governmental organisations have a responsibility to address racism and its impact on the people who experience it; - that the programme for...

Seanad: Racism in Ireland: Motion (4 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I, too, acknowledge Senator Mooney's personal statement earlier. He showed great courage, and long may that continue in the House. I also welcome the Minister of State here again. I have a huge amount of respect for her and am a great admirer. However, I cannot help but think - not of her personally - that her speech was completely kidnapped by the Department. It has been completely...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentations. I do not live in the docklands but I work on the edge of them as I run the Abbey Theatre. Heads 5 and 6 deal with the consultation process and community involvement. The delegations are concerned that the in-depth and integral community involvement in housing and education might be dissipated when the forum and the housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: Would they draw up the list of nominating bodies or nominate the members?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: There is a vote in the Seanad. I ask the witnesses not to infer any discourtesy on our part when we withdraw. I apologise.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Discussion (19 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: No, I am going to stay. When Mr. Fitzmaurice has responded to Deputy Stanley's questions I will then ask mine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Discussion (19 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: I better put on the record that I am very much against nuclear energy as a solution to climate change. There are other areas around climate change where we could resolve this issue. What does the RPII believe are the advantages to a merger from the Government’s point of view? Professor William Reville was re-appointed in January 2012 by the Minister for the Environment, Community...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Discussion (19 Jun 2014)

Fiach MacConghail: Was that given in writing?