Results 521-540 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: I move: That Seanad Éireann noting:

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Ennis bypass maybe.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am sorry Senator Dooley is not here because I wanted to offer him my solidarity in terms of the way the people of Clare have been treated by Fianna Fáil over the years. I am very familiar with that county because my wife comes from there. I have become rather over-familiar with places such as the Ennis Road in Limerick, Newmarket-on-Fergus and the wonderful town of Ennis. I have even had...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Minister of State suggested that we on this side of the House were reading Harry Potter novels during the summer. My life is much sadder than that. I have been reading the New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport, published by his Department in August 2002. The nature of its fantasy makes Harry Potter seem rather mild. I read The Proposal on Public Transport...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: All of us have an interest in ensuring that projects, which most of us supported, are completed. The Government's record over six years is not encouraging. I hope we can come back here in two years' time and look at a much improved record of delivery in less time. Amendment put. Tá

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: I endorse the comments of Senator Brian Hayes. It is not unusual in early July for Opposition Members to condemn the Houses going into recess until October. Sometimes one can reasonably cast doubt on the bona fides of those who make those protestations but no Member in either House believes that taking next week off can be justified. I do not understand the logic behind it as it makes no...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: We had trams as well.

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am pleased to comment on this good report which is part of an important process. Senator O'Rourke complimented the Government on having commissioned the report even though it is a requirement of the national development plan, at least in regard to the CSF element. Nevertheless, the Government also correctly chose to evaluate domestic spending.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I join others in welcoming the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The legislation is another milestone on a road we will reach the end of on 1 May next. That will be a very important date in the 21st century history of Europe. A line will finally be drawn under the post-Second World War arrangements of Europe. It is remarkable to think back 12 or 13 years to when six of the ten countries...

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: An mbeidh sé faireáilte?

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Bhí díospóireacht shuimiúil againn agus gabhaim buíochas do gach éinne ar achan taobh den Teach a ghlac páirt inti.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: However, there will be changes in eligibility which will primarily affect lone parents. The Minister has repeated serious commitments made by the Government to increase the old age pension to €200 per week and the lowest rate of social welfare to €180 per week in a few years. Her predecessor made no tangible progress last year in that regard. It will be interesting to see whether some...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. The Labour Party supports the Bill, in principle. Our spokesperson in the Dáil, Deputy Howlin, served on the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business which dealt with this issue during the summer recess and endorsed, on our behalf, the findings of that sub-committee, which include a recommendation that the...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: Section 2 provides for the commencement order. When does the Tánaiste expect to be in a position to make that order?

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: Is everything in place in terms of staffing and resources in order to start moving on it from 1 January?

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, line 31, after "actions" to insert "other than an action involving a claim for damages arising from a breach of the Constitution or the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, or a claim for aggravated or exemplary damages". Section 3 deals with the claims that will be allowed to go before the board and these amendments deal with some of my concerns....

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am satisfied with that. Will the Tánaiste address the issue of the volume of claims she expects the board to deal with? Apart from the principle behind the Bill, which my party accepts, we are concerned that the board will have the resources, staff and time to deal with the huge volume of claims which could come before it. Does the Tánaiste expect it will be extended to motor insurance...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Bill proposes that a case must be dealt with within 15 months so 27,000 cases per annum will have to be dealt with. That is an extremely ambitious target. Is the Tánaiste satisfied, based on the staffing put in place by the interim board, that this is achievable?

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am sorry for going on about it but the subject will arise later so we should deal with it now. Can the Tánaiste give an indication of the staff numbers involved from the start and if regional offices will be part of the arrangement, whether from outside or by transferring existing civil servants?

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: When the Tánaiste mentions the private sector, does she mean essentially the business of insurance assessment?