Results 661-680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Our Whip was not informed that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would not be present.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: We agreed to this debate on the strict understanding that the Minister would move the motion.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is an important issue. I ask for the assistance of the Ceann Comhairle's office in this matter, which is designed to facilitate Deputies.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Where is the Minister? Earlier the Tánaiste said he was holding a press conference and she knew this important debate was on the——

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is a gross offence to the House that the Minister is not present.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: On a point of order, the Ceann Comhairle asked for approval by the House of the Order of Business, which includes a debate on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill later. When will the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform attend the House? Is this another example of government by press conference? This is the most important motion of the week. I do not have a difficulty with Deputy Barry...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: On a point of order, I do not have any problem with the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews. My understanding was that he is Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: This is an important issue. I would like to see the Ceann Comhairle privately on the matter if I could. I would like to discuss this matter with him privately following the debate.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, he is.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: As a measure of assistance to the Ceann Comhairle and in view of what he said, I ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform why it is intended that he should sit silently beside his junior Minister when dealing with this important legislation.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is a gross discourtesy to this House that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, or any Cabinet Minister, should engage in a press conference at a time when——

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is a disgrace and arrogance on the part of the Government.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: On that matter, a Cheann Comhairle——

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: He has agreed to do it. This is not a concession to the House.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: This was an avoidable row which was started by the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and can only be finished by him.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: This is the most important legislation in which the House will ever engage. This is the main body of all counter-terrorism legislation.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform wishes to pull a stroke.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister must remember his presence is not a concession to the House. It is his constitutional duty.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: This is one stroke too many.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Charles Flanagan: In view of what the Minister has said, it is proof — if proof were needed — of the importance of having the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform present in the House to move this motion. The manner in which the business of the House was disrupted this morning was shameful because of the Minister's attempt to pull a stroke.