Results 5,381-5,400 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: As I am at the end of the queue, I will try not to repeat questions that have already been covered. I welcome the witnesses. As representatives of a lead agency, it is important that they were given the opportunity to come back in when they expressed a desire to do so. Would it be their wish that there be absolutely zero tolerance?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: If Ms Murdock was the Minister, would she be proposing that someone with 0.1 mg of alcohol should be banned from driving?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: I am trying to get at what the Road Safety Authority wants.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: What is the limit for coach drivers and bus drivers? Is it 20 mg?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: I thought that was the situation and was surprised that it was not zero for a coach driver who carries 50 or so passengers.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: It would appear to me that it would be nearly more important for coach drivers to be subject to zero levels than for the motorists we are talking about. However, I will rest that point.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: From the data the witnesses have given us, it appears that in 2011, when the limit was brought down to 50 mg, there was a reduction in road deaths. The witnesses have made the point that the lower limit was the reason for the reduction in deaths. Are the witnesses now putting the blame for the recent increase in deaths on the level of the threshold or the severity of the penalties?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: There was other data given in the presentation which Deputy Catherine Murphy and others have questioned, about people with blood alcohol levels under 50 mg and between 21 mg and 50 mg. I am still confused by that evidence and I think it is undermining the witnesses' case. If I felt one life could be saved by making whatever reduction, I would support it. However, I have not heard...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: I accept that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: The witness is arguing for zero tolerance and 0 mg-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: It is important that we challenge what the witnesses are saying and that is done in a totally genuine-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: I would not agree if the vintners were to attack the witnesses and I do not agree with the witness saying that vintners are disingenuous. I have been in pubs that are controlled places for people to drink. The publicans have been caring, have brought people home and stopped people from getting into their cars. The witnesses can blame the legislators in the Oireachtas rather than the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: The witnesses indicated they cannot produce files because of data concerns. There was a graphic road safety campaign last Christmas that was excellent. I praise the courage of the families who were affected. If we had the permission of the relatives of somebody killed as a result of a driver having 55 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood in his or her system, could the information be given...
- Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: As there is no Member present from the Independents group-----
- Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: -----I call Senator Tim Lombard.
- Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: In the last Dáil I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Therefore, I have an interest in this subject. Public service broadcasting is hugely important and it is hugely important that it be balanced and fair. At times there is a blurring of the line between what I would call entertainment and politics. For the most part, current affairs and news...
- Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: In recent times I have seen the same comedian on programmes discussing serious political issues. I do not know whether he is a comedian, an analyst, a pundit or whatever else, but he cannot be all of them. I have seen this problem not just on RTE but also on other national stations and it is an important matter to raise. It is welcome that the local radio broadcasting levy is being done...
- Seanad: Order of Business (31 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: As spokesperson on sport, I raise the farcical situation that has come to light in recent days in regard to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.One could not make up what has happened and what is emerging. There are two different boards, each saying it is in charge. A team has been picked by a high performance director who has not been sanctioned by the committee. There are people not...
- Seanad: Tourism: Statements (31 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: Like other Senators, I do not want to go over the figures but we all know that since 2010 or 2011, tourism has been a reason for the stabilisation of our economy. In 2016, 20,000 extra jobs were created in the tourism industry. Along with agriculture and foreign direct investment, it has been the saviour of our economy. The 6% drop in the number of British tourists coming to Ireland in the...
- Seanad: Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 May 2017)
John O'Mahony: I understand that Senator Reilly wishes to share his time with Senator Byrne at four minutes each.