Results 5,401-5,420 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony

Seanad: Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I want to be associated with the many tributes that have been paid to the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, who is stepping down. I do not intend to go over them again. As a colleague and a fellow Teachta Dála of his for the constituency of Mayo for two terms, I would not be in politics if it were not for Deputy Enda Kenny. I pay tribute to the way he led this country at a time of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, on his reappointment. The Minister of State might feel I am back to haunt him again.I suppose that is the case, but I want to raise an issue I have raised in a Commencement debate twice previously. It relates to the motorised transport grant, which was removed in 2013 and has not been replaced. I raised the matter with the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I accept what the Minister of State says but I know him long enough to see that there is some obstacle here which is not him. I have seen in the Dáil over the years how he has highlighted from the Opposition benches the need for people to be treated equally. He said it will not be the old scheme, but when it comes in it must be equal. The response to the example I gave him might be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Criminal Legal Aid (5 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I will be very quick. This Commencement matter is on the need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline criteria for free legal aid eligibility and the need for reform. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, and congratulate him on his appointment. I am a little disappointed that the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Minister of State at the Department of Justice...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Criminal Legal Aid (5 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I am not commenting on the outcome of the cases.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Criminal Legal Aid (5 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: There was a case recently of a white-collar crime and it was reported in the media last week that the legal aid was three times the normal fee allocated. It was in a case involving Anglo Irish Bank. I think everyone will know what I am talking about. If I have mentioned Deputy Paul Murphy, Seán FitzPatrick can also be mentioned.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Criminal Legal Aid (5 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I withdraw it. I am not commenting on the cases at all. I am merely commenting on the fact the State has so many demands on it. Here we have a situation where, in general terms, criminals are being given free legal aid on multiple occasions. In many of those cases they have assets and there does not seem to be any cap. It is time it was addressed.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Criminal Legal Aid (5 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the last part of his answer, which states that the new Bill will address the contribution system. This is a matter I have raised, along with means testing and increased sanctions for false declarations. By all means, it should be given if the accused is totally penniless or whatever. However, it should not be given in many cases. I look forward to...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate and to support the Bill. It will ensure that Ireland's bid for the 2023 World Cup has every chance of success. There has been some suggestion in recent days that this has been rushed and is exposing the State to enormous costs and risks. I do not subscribe to that. The Bill ensures that everything is above board and transparent and...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: It was laughed out of town at the time. Here, however, we have a realistic opportunity to showcase this country. As the Minister stated, a successful bid will bring financial benefits. Quite apart from the sporting aspect, the fact that the tournament is to be held in late September and October will extend the tourist season. The projections have been thoroughly explored and it is...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Motion for Earlier Signature (11 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I move:That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: Amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I also welcome the Senator's friends from Doohoma. I know that part of the country.

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: Amendment No. 5 comes later. We are discussing amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive.

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: Does Senator Devine wish to come back in?

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: The impression has been created by some of the speakers that the Government is in favour of a loans scheme. As far as I am concerned, that is not true. It was one of three options in the Cassells report and I personally will be lobbying within Government not to have a loans scheme.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I do not accept that the Government has made a decision and the Minister of State might clarify this later. We do not need to burden students with debt when they qualify because they will have many other demands at that stage. Having met the USI on numerous occasions, I know students are against it, and we need to take that into consideration. That is the basic point I want to make. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

John O'Mahony: I was in the Seanad yesterday evening and I think the Minister gave all the explanations I would ask for there. I wish him well. I think he has all the angles covered. As has been stated so many times, it is a huge opportunity, and I think that it is vital that we win this and that we showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Money could not buy the exposure that we would get during the...