Results 621-640 of 881 for speaker:Peter Power

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (24 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: The core objective of Ireland's aid programme is to contribute to the elimination of extreme poverty and hunger. The programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, is sharply focused on the least developed countries, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa. We have long term strategic programmes in nine priority countries, and also work in close cooperation...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: Amendment No. 1 seeks to amend the definition of a bus to incorporate small public service vehicles with a minimum passenger accommodation of five persons including the driver. The Minister of Transport pointed out during the consideration of this amendment on Committee Stage that the word "bus" is defined in the Bill as a mechanically propelled vehicle designed for travel by road with...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: I acknowledge the points and arguments put forward by both Deputies in respect of the amendments. I also acknowledge Deputy Broughan's long-standing attachment to this issue. Amendments Nos. 2 and 7 are linked in that they put forward a proposal under which pre-booked services would be the subject of the licensing system laid down in the Bill. That system is focused on something entirely...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: I do not disagree with many of the points made by Deputy Broughan. However, there is an essential difference between small vehicles booked in a private capacity and buses which can accommodate nine people or more. The national transport authority — which, under this legislation, the Dublin Transport Authority will become — could not possibly deal with the former. I am not stating that...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: I will undertake to convey that to the Minister.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: I thank Deputies O'Dowd and Broughan for their contributions. I have rarely on Report Stage seen such a large group of amendments on varied issues that have been teased out in committee. The fundamental amendment proposed by Deputy O'Dowd goes to the heart of the legislation and demonstrates the key difference that divides the Fine Gael Party and Government on this matter. The core purpose...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: If we were to replace it by competitive tendering——

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: The Deputy's amendment does not serve the customer.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: Ultimately, it would serve the service provider, as it does in all completely regulated markets. I would agree with the points made by Deputy Broughan in regard to the United Kingdom, where it has not worked, either by way of bundling or complete deregulation. There is no regulation of commercial bus services in Britain and the Deputy has cited some examples in that regard which show that,...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Peter Power: We fundamentally disagree with the Fine Gael position. The Deputy says this is a charter for no change. It is a fundamental change in our bus licensing legislation from the 1932 Act and the Transport Act 1958 to deal with the circumstances that suit Ireland. We disagree on one basic fact, namely, if we were to accept the Fine Gael proposal, the obligation would be on the national transport...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: As always, it is an honour and a privilege to address the Seanad and listen to Members' views on this important legislation. Senators will remember that the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission came into being on 1 January 2004, following enactment of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2003. The commission has since overseen the smooth running of services in both Dáil Éireann and...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I thank Members for their thoughtful, incisive and reflective contributions. It occurred to me during the course of the debate that if ever there were an argument to retain this House, it was justified because of the debate or discussion that had taken place. The Seanad provides an environment in which a more reflective debate can take place that can utilise the undoubted diverse...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I said that the Minister for Finance is making proposals in that regard.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: Senator O'Toole's contribution focused almost exclusively on audit matters. I thank him very much for that contribution, informed as it was by his experience and expertise in this area. Before addressing the proposals he made, the first point to make is that although good corporate governance should apply to all institutions, it does not necessarily mean corporate governance is the same in...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I know. That is why I am making a distinction because I do not believe it should be "also" and that the audit committee should report directly to the chairman as well. In trying to explain that, I pointed out that essential distinction. The role of the Secretary General is to account for moneys and to ensure they are appropriately spent. That is not the role of the chairman of the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I cannot disagree with Senator O'Toole's arguments. While he is not making a formal proposal in regard to the section, there is great wisdom in what he said. Many people would find it difficult to make the distinction.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I am distinctly in the minority, although I agree with Senator O'Toole. He is not proposing to oppose the section. The term "Committee for Procedure and Privileges" comes from a bygone age.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: The architecture of the Commission was established by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, which is being amended by the Bill before us.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: After considering the amendment, the Minister for Finance does not think it appropriate to confer such an obligation on a statutory basis. As members of the commission might be deemed to report to their chairman in the first instance, the amendment could affect the balance of power. In any case, section 16 of the 2003 Act provides that the Secretary General may advise the Commission and its...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I do not know the answer to the Senator's questions. However, we cannot prescribe in the legislation the sanctions or warnings which the commission shall set out.