Results 681-700 of 881 for speaker:Peter Power

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: It was not, but the Senators picked up some very important points that will be incorporated into the Bill.

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: While I acknowledge the intention behind amendments Nos. 1 and 2 and the Deputy's sincerity in putting them forward, there would be considerable practical difficulties in putting them into effect. In regard to amendment No. 1, section 2 contains the definition of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service with its title in both the English and Irish language. This presentation is consistent with...

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I understand the distinction the Deputy is drawing as between the Long Title of the 2003 Act and the definitions section but while there is a difference in the ordering of the names as between both of those, the definitions section of the 2003 Act has them in the order in which they appear in this Act. That is just a matter of presentation and being consistent with normal drafting in...

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: The effect of amendment No. 3 would be to require consultation with the Committees on Procedure and Privileges of both Houses in addition to what will take place with the Standards in Public Office Commission in respect of the code of practice for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, which is provided for in section 5. The statutory requirement for consultation with the...

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I accept the latter point with regard to the Deputy's party being represented on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of the Dáil but not on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. However, I must point out that the commission represents Members rather than parties.

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: I have no difficulty in concluding my remarks on amendment No. 3 immediately in order that Deputy Bruton might move the amendment in his name.

Committee and Remaining Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: Unfortunately, this amendment ignores the reality that the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission operates on the basis of annual Estimates, which it prepares in accordance with section 13(3) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003. The commission, having taken full account of the funding provision as set out in the Bill before the House, has already prepared its statement of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: Uganda is one of the nine Programme Countries where Ireland has a commitment to long term strategic assistance. An important aspect of our programme of support for Uganda is a focus on good governance and respect for human rights. I am very concerned about the implications of the Private Members Bill which was tabled in the Ugandan Parliament in October, which is described by its proponents...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (17 Dec 2009)

Peter Power: The Taoiseach will travel to Copenhagen today to head Ireland's delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in the final days of the negotiations for an ambitious new climate change agreement. Earlier this week, I attended a meeting of EU Development Ministers in Copenhagen in order to underline the importance of the links between climate change and development....

Banking Crisis: Statements (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: When the Governor of the Central Bank came before an Oireachtas committee and suggested there should be an inquiry into the scandal that beset the Irish banking and financial system in recent years, he reflected the widespread views of our citizens that we need to find out what caused the scandal, who caused the scandal and how we can avoid it happening again. Anyone in this House listening...

Banking Crisis: Statements (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: The mechanism for conducting an inquiry was passed by this House. We recognised a way of doing that so that we could protect the constitutional rights of people and their reputations, which are strongly protected by our Constitution. We must recognise the situation. The commission of inquiry legislation and the report suggested by the Government provides us with a mechanism in which...

Banking Crisis: Motion (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: With respect, he was the first Minister for Finance to start eliminating tax breaks. That is also on the record.

Banking Crisis: Motion (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: Bipartisanship. Has Deputy Burton decided already? That is not bipartisanship.

Banking Crisis: Motion (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: I support the amendment. The debate arises from a public demand to find out what went wrong with our banking system and who is responsible for it. The people want to ensure this does not happen again and to restore our reputation on the international financial markets in a way that does not prejudice ongoing criminal investigations. People have lost their savings and pensions. Businesses...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Relief: Humanitarian Relief (19 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: On Tuesday, 12 January, at approximately 16:53h local time, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale was recorded off the coast of Haiti, only 17km from the capital Port au Prince. Casualties are believed to be in the tens of thousands and widespread destruction of infrastructure has been reported, including to schools and hospitals. Water and electricity supplies are down, and there...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (20 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: The Government's Rapid Response Corps is a roster of skilled and experienced volunteers who make themselves available to deploy at short notice to work in humanitarian emergency situations. The Corps comprises 130 individuals with specialised skills in logistics, engineering, public health, humanitarian coordination and protection. Most will have worked extensively overseas in humanitarian...

Haiti Earthquate: Statements (21 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: On behalf of the Government I extend our sincere condolences to the people of Haiti and, in particular, those who lost loved ones in last week's earthquake. Our thoughts go out to the family of Andrew Grene, who tragically lost his life in the disaster while serving with the United Nations. The Government also extends its sympathy to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban...

Haiti Earthquate: Statements (21 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: Would the Deputy subscribe to the one-party concept?

Haiti Earthquate: Statements (21 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: I thank Members on all sides for their contributions, which were extremely constructive and, in many cases, complimentary. It is very much appreciated by the Government, given that this is a non-partisan issue. There were so many constructive suggestions that I would like to discuss every one of them, but time will not permit. Thus, I will discuss the two or three themes that were common to...

Written Answers — Disaster Relief: Disaster Relief (21 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: The entire world has been deeply moved by the plight of the Haitian people following last week's earthquake. The devastation which it has wrought is almost beyond belief and the impact on peoples' lives has been made all the worse by the levels of poverty experienced by most Haitians. Casualties from the earthquake are believed to be in the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands and widespread...