Results 481-500 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (5 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: How dare you talk about the House.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (5 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: You are a disgrace.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Care of the Elderly Provision (5 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House because I know she shares an interest in, a concern and a genuine regard for the issues we are discussing, namely, elderly care and the respect we must always show for our senior citizens. Nothing defines us more as a society than how we care for young children and senior citizens in the autumn of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Care of the Elderly Provision (5 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. I am heartened to hear that a substantial and significant fund of €400,000 has been allocated for ongoing works at St. Vincent's Community Hospital. By any prioritisation standards or reasonable criteria, St. Vincent's in Mountmellick would be top of the list because it is at the heart of elderly care in the midlands. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: There were far worse consequences. I echo the sentiments voiced by Senators Bacik, Mooney and Barrett regarding the House's debate yesterday on Irish Water. I commend the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, on the good grace, dignity, poise and humility he displayed. He put his hands up and acknowledged that unacceptable mistakes had been made in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: Yes. Can anyone explain to me how we can fix or replace lead pipes, stop pumping raw sewage into our rivers, streams and seas, replace 490,000 septic tanks, secure a sustainable water supply for this city, build new reservoirs and ensure a safe supply of water for companies like those attending the web summit about which we have been boasting without investing in a creaking Victorian...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: We should reconvene the debate so that the House might continue teasing out these issues.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: We do not all have to agree, but we should at least show respect for the other person's perspective until we arrive at the right solution for the country's good.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I will be particularly brief in speaking to the Title. As someone who broke ranks early on without any direction or instruction from anyone and who is still here to tell the tale, I would say that the Whip system is not as cruel as people make out. I defied Government direction and policy on the referendum and, along with other colleagues, prevailed in preserving and retaining the Seanad....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: It would be remiss of me today not to pay tribute to the Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, and to commend her and our colleague, Senator Katherine Zappone, for their dignity, courage and composure and for the consideration they showed at all times for the welfare, well-being and safety of others, with no regard for their own welfare. It is sufficient to say that what we saw and what was...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: With respect, a number of other speakers spoke on four and five items. I am addressing only one issue with regard to industrial peace-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I appreciate that and I will conclude. I would also like to extend the same invitation to the ASTI and the TUI leadership to withdraw from the proposed strike action with regard to reform of the junior cycle. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has brought forward very fair concessions which have not been put to the membership. Many teachers I have spoken to are...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Health Services (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I have long been of the view that how we treat our senior citizens in the autumn of their years will be one of the crucial yardsticks by which we will be judged not only as a Government but as a society. Every since I was fortunate to be elected to the Seanad, almost four years ago, I have always tried to address issues by looking at the bigger...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Health Services (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister for the reply. It provides clarity but I am dismayed and disappointed. I will not leave it at that. The grant of €3,700 per annum is paltry considering the scale and extent of services. The HSE is downplaying the significance of the role of this day care centre because it goes well beyond the remit. In terms of the well-being of the senior citizens who enjoy...

Seanad: Geological Survey of Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (2 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: I propose to share time with Senator John Kelly.

Seanad: Geological Survey of Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (2 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am pleased we are discussing this issue because geography is a subject near and dear to my heart. The Minister of State touched on the educational aspect in his contribution. I was very fortunate to have an enthusiastic geography teacher, Noel Maher, principal of St. Paul's secondary school in Monasterevin, who instilled his love and regard for the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: I have every respect and serious regard for the comments and contributions of Senator Barrett, who is an expert in this area, as he has raised genuine issues and concerns. However, I thought the purpose of today was to start again. When Governments do not listen to people and when Ministers ignore people they are accused of being arrogant and detached. The Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Having made this admission, he was accused of capitulation and performing a U-turn. I wish we could be honest and fair with each other and stop playing politics, because this issue is too serious and important.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Colleagues on the other side have raised serious issues. Senator Feargal Quinn mentioned PPS numbers, and that was a genuine issue, but it has been resolved.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: The issue of public ownership was raised by Senators on all sides. Fianna Fáil tabled a motion on a referendum, which was supported by this side of the House.