Results 481-500 of 1,714 for speaker:John Dardis
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: Mr. Cox is a member of the European Liberal, Democratic and Reformist Group.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I welcome figures that have emerged in the last 24 hours reporting that revenue of â¬750 million was collected from taxation in April. The Minister, Deputy McCreevy, has shown himself to be extremely capable of managing the economy efficiently and prudently. I am sure that will continue.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: We look forward to the budget later this year to see how the Minister will distribute the funds available to him. I am sure that a debate on the issue would be helpful. I do not disagree with such a proposal. I will try to organise such a debate. I share Senator McCarthy's sentiments in respect of the welcome statement from the Sisters of Mercy. It gave victims the reassurance they require....
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: That is not to say that they should not be encouraged to be interested in politics.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I do not regard that as surprising.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I agree with what Senator Henry said on spurious cures and that there are different criteria for medial practitioners and others. Either everybody should be regulated or nobody should be. I noted the appalling consequences of one treatment given for cancer. These matters will be brought to the attention of the Minister for Health and Children. It would also be appropriate to debate the matter...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: The sojourn on the platform at Mallow was a pleasure. One meets all sorts of interesting people on that journey and I am sure Senator Coghlan would fall into that category. Investment in the rail infrastructure is ongoing and hopefully it will apply to the Killarney line.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: Senators Hanafin and Ross raised the issue of media coverage of the House. I accept that only rows in the Houses attract the media's attention while important legislation is ignored. Deputy Cassidy, when Leader of the House, with members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges met the national newspapers and RTEââ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: ââto express our concerns about coverage. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach will consider another meeting through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I agree with Senator Norris that the establishment of a press council should be debated along with the whole issue of citizens' rights to privacy. The use of long focus lenses to photograph chief mourners at private funerals is increasingly prevalent. It is objectionable that people under pressure at the funeral of a loved one are splashed across the national media, particularly when the...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I doubt it will be in time for the local elections.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I am sure a decision in principle will be reached. Senator Jim Walsh referred to the National Roads Authority and a wider issue of the speed limits. The National Roads Authority has been the subject of debate in the House before and it should be again.
- Seanad: European Refugee Fund: Motion. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I move: "That Seanad Ãireann approves the exercise by the State of the option, provided by Article 3 of the fourth Protocol set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to notify the President of the Council that it wishes to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Refugee Fund for the period 2005 â 2010...
- Seanad: Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Order for Second Stage. (6 May 2004)
John Dardis: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: We could have interesting debate on the origins of the commission but it is a separate matter. The question was asked as to why the electronic aspect should be included in the legislation. This is entirely prudent because virtually everybody agrees that electronic voting will be introduced and is desirable. The only question to arise concerns the accuracy or value of the system selected. It...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: There is certain merit in Senator Brian Hayes's argument that there should be some sort of independent body to conduct elections. I had the privilege of meeting the election commissioner for India and I am grateful to the ambassador for India for circulating to the members of the Committee on the Environment and Local Government, if not all Members of the House, a document called "Celebrating...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: What a load of nonsense. Every day in Europe we are being encouraged to have qualified majority voting and to eliminate vetoes. The Senator's amendment proposes to reintroduce a veto. This will give one party or perhaps a small group of Independents an effective veto. Our parliamentary democracy does not work on this basis but on the basis of a majority. This amendment would confer on a...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: This is not the same kind of matter as was addressed by the committee on the Constitution.
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: It states "all parties".
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)
John Dardis: I wish to clarify the reference to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution of which I was a member. Senator McCarthy was correct that the committee produced a report on property rights which reflected a consensus. Nobody had a veto in that case and what emerged from the committee was a balanced view across all parties and independent members. That is not the same as what is...