Results 761-780 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (26 Feb 2004)

Derek McDowell: I join other Senators in thanking the Minister of State for the way in which he dealt with the Bill today. I appreciate it can be difficult to come into either House with what I expect are overriding instructions from the Department of Finance not to give a great deal. Even in that context we have had a useful discussion and at least started the process of teasing out the details. Details...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I join Senator Leyden in his comments. I apologise for being three minutes late for this debate.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I congratulate all concerned on their expeditious treatment of Committee Stage.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I congratulate them on their efficient treatment of Committee Stage. I accept that this is a partnership Bill and an issue of the partnership process, into which we are all bound to a greater or lesser extent. However, a greater issue is the right of people to be represented by a trade union which, in turn, is recognised by employers as a negotiating body. Sooner or later we will have to deal...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: The experience of the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Fahey, at the weekend reminded me of the Labour Party convention in Dublin a number of years ago when the then MEP, Ms Malone, was nominated in circumstances which were not too dissimilar to the nomination of Mr. Ó Neachtain MEP. We know what happened there, but...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: The Labour spokesperson, Senator Ryan, is unfortunately not able to be here today, so I am filling in for him. I confess to being a little confused about the purpose of the Bill. I am aware that it essentially re-enacts 14 sections of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, but I am not sure what happened to those 14 sections in the interim period. Perhaps the Minister of State could clarify...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I know that. I am not clear about the position in between. Are we now saying the law was bad and was not enforceable during that time?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am not trying to be combative; I am just trying to clarify an issue.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: He will not.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I can reassure Senator Dooley that I have no intention of delaying the Bill.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: Indeed no. It is one of those frustrating Bills which sets out a convention the negotiation of which did not involve anyone in either House and which we cannot change. Nevertheless, it is a product of international negotiation over some years and improves conditions for passengers and cargo which is positive. This is necessary because the nature of international air travel has changed quite...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I will address the issue of decentralisation before I finish, but I will begin with some general remarks about the economy. This must be the shortest Finance Bill the Minister has published during his time in office. Certainly, it is almost completely devoid of the grand gestures, ideas and the singular ideological shifts, swathes of tax cuts, cuts in expenditure and various other traits for...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I thought the Senator was a socialist.

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: It never got me anywhere.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: In recent years, the phrase "stealth taxes" has been much in vogue. I am sure the Minister will agree that it is a much used and abused term, not least by elements of the Opposition. Most of what are termed "stealth taxes" are actually user charges. Some I agree with, while others I do not, depending on the importance of the particular service being provided. However, the failure to increase...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am trying my best to forget it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: There is significant merit in the recommendation being made by Senator Browne and the Fine Gael Party. I can anticipate some of the Minister's response. I know he has altered the nature of the tax form so that people must at least declare income even if it is not subject to tax. It is important that we assess the amount of tax that has been foregone because of these tax breaks, but it is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I wonder what the real position is and to what extent the Revenue knows the number of taxpayers availing of particular reliefs. Even more pointedly, I wonder to what extent the Minister knows. I ask the Minister if he has statistics which he can consider each year in the context of the Finance Bill. Is he aware of the number of individuals or companies who are availing of a particular relief?...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I do not think they have been this year, unless I am mistaken. Have the TSG papers been published?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: They used to be published after the budget and before the Finance Bill. I remember well because I spent many a night having a good look at them.