Results 4,681-4,700 of 12,886 for speaker:Paul Coghlan

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2013)

Paul Coghlan: Senator John Kelly has ten minutes.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We often hear the word "democracy" and phrases like "democratic principles" and "democratic ideals". They are easy to say but difficult to establish and even more difficult to maintain. Democratic principles establish a rule of law, respect human rights and promote active politics. It should be an unwritten commitment of every public...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: Another sterling performance.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I refer to Senator MacSharry's colleague. I have never been populist. I am sure Senator Leyden was well able to handle those Anglo Irish Bank tapes while he was in Strasbourg. We should remember, despite all of their contribution to the mess this country is in, that none of its representatives was present on the night of the bank guarantee. I agree fully with Senator Comiskey on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I can travel some of the road with the Senator. We discussed this here the last day.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I have not lost my way yet. Senator MacSharry should examine his own conscience. Respectfully, there is an element of misinterpretation, which is why we should hear the Minister. As the Leader said the last day, we should take a little time. We need balance in all matters and must be calm. We cannot have a properly functioning economy without the banks, whether we like it or not. Of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: Hopefully, they have enough under their belts to proceed. Certain cases have been initiated although they will not be heard until next year. The DPP and Garda should be encouraged. If the Chamber must have some dialogue with them, I encourage the Leader to consider the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I join the Cathaoirleach and others in extending a very warm welcome to our esteemed Northern colleagues and to our good friend Paddy Harte and his wife. There was a very measured contribution from Senator MacSharry this morning, and I agree with much of it. All Members would agree with it. It is very disturbing that Ulster Bank will let approximately 1,800 people go and close a number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: As I said, the banks have to suffer some pain for what they have inflicted on so many people by virtue of their actions. They have to face up to their responsibilities, and allow people to remain in their homes and pay a proper market rent or whatever is in accordance with the suite of options and the code of conduct. I know the Leader is prepared to facilitate such a debate. Perhaps he...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I agree with the general thrust of Senator Darragh O'Brien's remarks on the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. I also have a slight disagreement. He talked about it as though it were Government policy. This document was agreed, drawn up by the Central Bank in consultation with all the stakeholders.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: Senator Gilroy makes my point. The Central Bank has a certain independence. I agree there is a need for balance. We cannot have the banks being allowed to ride roughshod over so many in society given their recent history, particularly regarding harassment. On that I agree strongly with Senator Darragh O'Brien. The Leader is on our side on this. There must be arbitration and we must...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: The parish priest would not know what else to do with himself. There are many one-horse battles.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: We were all honoured

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: We are all good democrats in this House, living as we do in a constitutional democracy which is what this little republic of ours is. There have been many complaints, even on the Order of Business, that this is a Bill the objective of which is the abolition of the Seanad but its Title refers to the 32nd amendment of the Constitution, which implies the holding of a referendum. We cannot...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I hope the Minister of State is right, but I do not think Deputies really see themselves as legislators. They see themselves as glorified county councillors.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I watch them and salute them. We have all engaged in it. I go to county council and town council offices, although possibly not as often as Deputies do. I do not get as much of that kind of work and do not want to interfere with councillors. A Deputy is continuously focused on his or her re-election. That is human nature. He or she has to watch the constituency. In fairness to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I have ten minutes.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: You are joking me. I have three pages left.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I do not believe in shrinking the democratic space. This measure will lead to a huge loss on the democratic side. It is wrong to blame the Seanad for any lack of reform. It has repeatedly shown a willingness to engage with the reform process and the Minister of State was part of that process at one time. Every previous Government failed to address this matter. In 1979 we had a referendum...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Paul Coghlan: I will conclude.