Results 721-740 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: The Government tried it last year and got its answer.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: The Government is cutting the allowance.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: He does not know.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: On many occasions I have raised the issue of road safety, particularly with a view to our motorway network and the lack of service stations on it. I have focused on the M9, to which we referred today. I am disappointed that it seems there has been political interference. Has there been interference with the decision of the NRA and Kildare County Council to open the M9, which was due to...

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister of State. The Bill provides us with a good opportunity to reflect on the forestry sector, management of our forestry resources, the sustainability of our forests and on new opportunities to exploit this significant natural resource to its full potential. Coillte has played a major role since 1988. Its remit has expanded and it is engaged in many activities other than...

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I second the amendment. Essentially it is a genuine attempt by Fine Gael to introduce an element of oversight in regard to what is quite a substantial figure of €400 million of temporary borrowing power to Coillte. We do not doubt the competency of Coillte. The Minister of State has outlined its competence in many areas. However, I have outlined one area where it may not have been...

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I accept and understand where the Minister of State is coming from. I mentioned briefly one specific case for the reason of oversight. It is an obvious case in which Coillte was involved. It had a 150 year lease on almost 1,000 acres of prime forestry land since 1933 which would have taken it up to 2083. Unfortunately something was wrong because the lease was challenged by the private...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Leader of the House for his input in listening to Senators yesterday who called for the opening of the M9. I am glad that people are listening. The Minister for Transport obviously listened to the strong voices on that issue yesterday. The opening of the motorway is now going ahead on Monday. There has been confusion about the situation, which is a pity, but maybe we can learn...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: We will look after them.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Paudie Coffey: Keep it close.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: What is the big secret then?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: I also welcome the re-election of Senator Mooney. I do not know the Senator but I am sure we will engage with each other during the coming months and years. I support the calls for a public inquiry into banking. I do so not because other politicians are requesting such an inquiry but because ordinary people, who understand what is happening, are seeking it. We are doing a great disservice...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: That is not the same thing.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: That is the high moral ground.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: We all want that.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: Is the Senator happy with it?

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister for enlightening us on the main provisions of the Bill and why he is bringing it before the House. Fine Gael welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this Bill. Fine Gael is supportive of this Bill in principle and recognises the great need to improve and regulate dog breeding establishments and the management of dog breeding in this country. We have all seen...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: Of course, and I argue that anyone involved with working dogs or hunting dogs looks after animal welfare better than most people understand. The Minister needs to understand this point. The dogs are in their prime and are reared, primed, fed and cared for better than most family pets in many instances.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Paudie Coffey: The Minister should acknowledge this.