Results 461-480 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan
- Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I was out last night in Mullinavat and I spoke to a pensioner who has voted Fianna Fáil all her life. While she will probably continue to vote for that party, I will work for her to the best of my ability. She spoke to me last night about the great fanfare in the last budget to the effect that pensioners were to receive â¬10 extra and of the withdrawal at the same time of the â¬9 fuel...
- Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Purchasing power is the issue. As is typical of Government speakers, Senator Mansergh referred at length to 1997 as though it was the beginning of a bright new age. When the current Administration took office in 1997, the annual growth rate was 10%.
- Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Over 1,000 jobs were being created every week in the economy when the Government came to power. While that rate of increase could not continue forever, it has already slowed. It is disgusting that the Government motion should be moved in the context of the scandalous waste of money which we saw, for example, with electronic voting. Despite the serious issues people face daily, we have...
- Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State. I wish to raise a number of issues with him which concern my area of Kilkenny. It has been brought to my attention that some schools are seeking funding for new buildings and development facilities for autistic children. One of them is the School of the Holy Spirit in Kilkenny City, which currently caters for 12 to 15 autistic children from the city and its...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I join with Senators who have expressed their concerns about what has happened and continues to happen in the Middle East. I support my Independent colleagues who have called for an amendment to the Order of Business so that we may have a discussion on that issue. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for Transport to come into the House in the near future to discuss motoring? I have...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Serious questions have arisen over the past couple of years as regards the national car test and the degree of fairness with which it is carried out across the country. We should have a discussion on that. There are issues in the capital, not specifically in the centre but in outlying areas, as regards clamping. In effect clamping is being used as a revenue generating mechanism by the people...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: The fear exists that the people who operate the national car test are doing the same thing. I am not saying whether that is correct, but we should certainly have a debate on it. Clearly, the motorist is being neglected in the midst of all this. We need a discussion to bring the issues affecting these people to the top of the agenda as soon as possible.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Will the Leader contact the Ministers for Agriculture and Food and Environment, Heritage and Local Government about the nitrates directive? The House had a debate on agriculture a number of weeks ago but, as is the case with many issues, no action has been taken. The proposed limit on organic nitrates under the directive is 170 kg per hectare per annum, which is in stark contract to the 250...
- Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I support the Labour Party motion. I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss this important issue in the Seanad this evening. I was surprised by many of the contributions from those on the Government side, particularly that of the Minister of State. I did not realise he was as out of touch as he is clearly. I listened to his attempts to explain, incredibly, that the affordability gap is...
- Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)
John Paul Phelan: A few months ago when the issue of development charges first arose, I listened in absolute amazement to the Minister, Deputy Cullen, say that this was an attempt by the Government to get something back from the developers and invest it in local communities. Was he seriously suggesting that developers would end up out of pocket, that they would not pass on these charges to the people buying...
- Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I echo what the Minister said in his conclusion. It is appropriate that we should be discussing this Bill today, a number of weeks following further serious revelations in the financial services sector. I agree wholeheartedly with the comment he made in his final remarks there. I broadly welcome the Bill, which is a step in the right direction. I note from the Minister's comments that we are...
- Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: No.
- Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I concur with what Senator Mansergh has said. This Bill is noteworthy for its improvements in the consumer protection area, in light of recent issues that have arisen with certain members of the commercial banking sector in Ireland. I welcome its passage. Senator Ross spoke at length about increasing the fines applicable under the legislation but it is a significant step in the right direction.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Why did it not introduce it in the first instance?
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: That is nonsense.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: They have been sanctioned.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: The Senator is making it up as he goes along.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I agree with what has been said by the previous speaker and by most speakers who expressed concerns about this Bill. Senator Leyden, in the midst of other things, said this money belongs to the public, which is crucial and goes to the heart of the matter. The Bill proposes to change radically the original plan to distribute these public funds. Senator Henry is correct in saying the Government...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
John Paul Phelan: It is because it is not seeking re-election.