Results 561-580 of 12,886 for speaker:Paul Coghlan

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (6 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Staring at the crossroads.

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (6 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I accept his categorical assurance that there are no plans to close, reduce or put into question the future of the Kenmare ambulance station and I am pleased that is the case. I would not have expected less from the former chairman of a joint committee on which I served.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments about the proposed referendum on citizenship which is a matter of vital interest to every citizen, and properly so. Surely, however, the good of our democracy requires that all-party consensus should be reached on this matter. As Senator Ryan has pointed out, such consensus has already been reached with regard to the ninth progress report on private...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Of course not and I do not intend to do so. I am just supporting the points of view he expressed. I have a question for the Leader. The belief is growing that the Great Southern Hotel chain will be sold, including some of the Leader's favourite hotels.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Yes. Two of the most senior men in the hotel group have been rather disgracefully eased out. Is it planned to sell the chain collectively, or to sell the hotels separately? I am repeating my request for the Leader to invite the relevant Minister to attend the House to discuss this matter. It would be timely to have such a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I did not mean to imply that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: He has given tremendous service.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I second the motion. I welcome the Minister to the House. Citizenship is fundamental and vital and is something in which we take great pride. It should be guarded jealously. I am sure the Minister would agree that in a constitutional democracy, there should be the widest possible consultation on citizenship, which may be the Minister's intention. I cannot understand the reason for such a...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: A child born anywhere, including Northern Ireland, would provide a basis for non-EU nationals to establish a right to reside in any other EU state. As we are aware, in 1998 an overwhelming majority of the people voted in favour of amending Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution by way of implicit approval of the Good Friday Agreement. This involved deleting the previous territorial claim and...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: The Minister is a reasonable man and I respect his opinion. I look forward to hearing the arguments he will make on this issue. I appeal to the Minister to consider the possibility that he may be accused of being guilty of using the race card.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I support Senator Finucane's call for an urgent review of the income guidelines for medical cards. At the recent conference in Killarney, doctors were unanimous in their concern that many patients on low incomes who deserved medical cards did not have them. There are not enough medical cards and the Government does not seem to care. The failure to increase these income guidelines is akin to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I support Senator O'Toole's call that constitutional requirements are fully met if the House has to deal with impeachment in due course following a Government decision. My final question relates to the future of Aer Rianta and the Great Southern Hotel group and I know the Leader would like to oblige me and the House by answering.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Will they be sold collectively or will there be a cherry picking sale?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Not the IMI.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: It just so happens that he is next.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Does the Leader think it would be beneficial if Members were to make a unanimous appeal to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to amend the law in respect of under 18 year olds being present in hotels and bars after 9 p.m., particularly during the tourist season? This will have a detrimental effect. All the hotels in my area are concerned. For families and couples with children,...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I will try the Minister out later.

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: Skibbereen Eagle syndrome.

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I admire his combative and assertive style and his fighting spirit. We all know the Minister is an able and assertive advocate and if I was in trouble, I would rather have him defending me than some wishy-washy type.

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

Paul Coghlan: I am not prepared to go that far. As Senator O'Toole said in another context, I know the rules. I am glad Senator Minihan said there should be more consultation, with which I agree. As other speakers said, I also accept that the Minister is not a racist. When I spoke during the debate on citizenship held here on 7 April, I said that I did not want the Minister to stand accused of wrongly...