Results 821-840 of 5,046 for speaker:Paschal Mooney

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: That suggests we live in a real country. The bad news, however, is that I agree with much of the criticism of Eircom. I have had the unfortunate and unhappy experience of dealing with Eircom since I first tried to get broadband in Drumshanbo in County Leitrim, so I could be more like those esteemed Senators from more cosmopolitan areas where broadband had already been rolled out. I decided...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: The opposite is true, we have lost — I am one of the unfortunate shareholders who lost. I am probably telling the Government what it already knows but until it accelerates it policy of unbundling, there will continue to be problems with a company that, to put it bluntly, is one of the most inefficient and incompetent outfits I have ever come across. If it was in the public sector, we...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: That is why we cannot do anything specifically about it but, in terms of policy, I fully support the view that something should be done. Consumers themselves must play their role in comparing providers to ensure they get the best deal. The best way to get a company to sit up and take notice is to vote with our feet.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: The Department is operating a website, www.broadband.gov.ie, to help consumers and business to find the best deal. There is also a broadband awareness television campaign running in conjunction with Northern Ireland that highlights the benefits of broadband for households and businesses.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: In Northern Ireland, the British Government subsidised BT to ensure 100% roll out in the Six Counties. I said to the Minister that the Government should bite the bullet and, if necessary, subsidise the extended availability of broadband. That would bring us further up the league. Our present lack of progress will not help us to arrive at the level we should be reaching. The Government is...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: The framework is contained in Government policy and the statistics show that the Minister and the Department have been so focused on this area that there has been a significant increase in broadband facilities. I welcome that and encourage them to do more. We have a lot done but more to do.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: One hundred per cent.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I share Senator Ryan's criticism of the outrageous example of elitism in which University College Dublin engaged last week in stealthily conferring a number of degrees which, I understand, are not worth the paper on which they are printed.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I appreciate that but the House passes legislation on universities. Given that nobody has raised this issue, it appears it is to be accepted. Two distinguished Members of the House, Senators Maurice Hayes and Quinn, have honorary degrees. It does not reflect well on a university that it would devalue something for purely elitist purposes. I understand the degrees conferred are not worth...

Seanad: Current Situation in the Middle East: Statements (18 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I too welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to the House. I am pleased he has returned refreshed from his recent exertions. The assertion by some elements of the media that Deputy Treacy needed that type of publicity to gain a profile showed an appalling ignorance of the political system and the role he has played not only here and in his Galway East constituency, but representing...

Seanad: Current Situation in the Middle East: Statements (18 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: The Israeli Government and the IDF dropped some 300,000 cluster bombs, mainly in civilian areas. I understand there is no international legal prohibition on this. However, there are moves to introduce such a prohibition and it will not be before time. One could not help but be moved by stories, graphic photographs and television footage that we have seen of innocent south Lebanese...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I support Senator Henry in her remarks. I have read much of what she has contributed on this subject in the House, which was like something from a Charles Dickens novel. I could not believe what was going on in an institution that was supposed to be engaged in the rehabilitation of young offenders. We talk in this House about road safety and responsibility among young people, yet here is...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: In that context, I support Senator Henry because——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I will give the Cathaoirleach as much brevity as I can.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I will be as brief as I can.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: If we are to have a debate on road safety, I ask the Leader to consider drawing together the various recommendations, especially in light of the establishment of a road traffic authority. If that authority is like any of the other statutory bodies set up recently, Members of this House may not have any direct input whatsoever because the authority will make its own rules and regulations. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: Earlier this week the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body met in Belfast. The Secretary of State, Peter Hain, was asked a question about the development of the Ulster Canal, which has been debated in this House on a number of occasions. Last week the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who is responsible for Waterways Ireland, indicated he was awaiting...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2006)

Paschal Mooney: I was astonished at the response of the Secretary of State to the effect that the British could not make any immediate move because they did not have the money, whereas the Irish do. That is farcical and a complete reversal of the historical position. I ask the Leader for a debate on the North-South Implementation Bodies, particularly Waterways Ireland, which, along with the all-Ireland...

Seanad: Address by the European Union Ambassador to the United States (8 Nov 2006)

Paschal Mooney: Does the ambassador's mandate extend to the relationship between the European Union, the United States and the Middle East, specifically Israel? A lack of consistency exists in foreign policy attitudes towards Israel because of diverging views. The US has an extremely consistent view. What is the ambassador's role in this? The ambassador mentioned the United Nations although he did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Paschal Mooney: It is a long way from Baghdad to Croke Park, and he started so well. I support Senator Mansergh. I also ask the Leader to convey the thanks of the House, since the European Union and Ireland, by extension, issued a very strong condemnation of the death penalty sentence. Tensions are running very high in Iraq, as I am sure Members are aware. Essentially, the Shia community is delighted at...