Results 821-840 of 4,905 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: These people are insulated in one of seven barracks in the Curragh. These are the people who are making the balls for the Minister to throw. Will the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, as a sensible and reasonable businessman point out to the Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, that no savings will be made by closing these barracks? On the contrary, it will costs tens of millions...

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: On the contrary, we are not. Closures of several barracks by the previous Fianna Fáil Government saved €4 million. What savings will be made in these further closures? That is why no figures have been produced. Senator Gilroy and his party colleagues should check the debates in this and the Lower House when the previous Fianna Fáil Government had to close ten barracks. What was said...

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Fianna Fáil is a responsible party. I am raising this matter on behalf of those Army personnel in my county who will be affected by these closures and the other 600 personnel in the four other locations. This is a serious matter for these personnel. It is also serious for the security of the State. I am glad Senator Paul Coghlan has come back into the Chamber.

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: He, as well as Senator Landy, claimed there would be no redundancies. There may be no redundancies on paper. The reality, however, is some of the personnel in question will have to resign or retire early without full pensions because they will not be able to afford to commute 120 km every day.

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Will the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, bring the message back to the Government from this Chamber this evening that these barracks are essential to the security of the State and that it makes no economic sense to close them? I commend the motion to the House.

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Under Standing Order 62(3), I request a manual vote.

Seanad: Army Barracks Closures: Motion (19 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: All of the books are gone.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister back to the House for this brief visit. I commend him on his willingness to come to the House to address any issue relating to his brief. I welcome this legislation. The disbandment of the board will mean a saving of between €120,000 and €150,000 per annum, which is welcome. The Minister assured us on Second Stage that an audit is being carried out in the banks...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I support Senator Michael D'Arcy's request that the head of financial regulation at the Central Bank be brought before the House in order that we might discuss with him the matters to which the Senator refers. In the previous Seanad, I raised the issue of a lending institution - Friends First - which sent a group of what can only be described as thugs to deal with a young man who had...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I second Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment to the Order of Business. While I accept the Leader has explained the Water Services (Amendment) Bill will be before the House next Wednesday, it is important adequate time is given to debate septic tank charges, a serious issue particularly to people in rural areas who, on the face of it will face a €50 registration fee, when in reality they will...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I join Senator Ó Murchú in requesting the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, to the House today to obtain clarification on the strong rumours that have been circulating, not only today but also for the past three months, in regard to four barracks, three in particular. One is in Castlebar, which is basically a store. I assume it is being closed to make...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: These are points I made well but, unfortunately, they have fallen on deaf ears. I appeal to the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to come into this House to clarify the position for the sake of the human beings involved. The UUP, the DUP and the SDLP are in favour of keeping the barracks open.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Perhaps they are more interested than the Government or the Minister in the security of this State.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: There was a surplus of barracks.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I regret that we will not be taking statements on housing today but I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Deputy Penrose, an honourable and decent man who came into this House on a number of occasions. He was unique among Ministers in this and previous Administrations in that he listened to what was being said and acted to the best of his abilities. I ask the Leader to invite the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I want to know why that is the case. The Minister was misled by the top brass in the Defence Forces. Even while he was telling delegations from Cavan, which I accompanied, and the other three towns that he had not reached a decision, instructions were issuing from Defence Forces headquarters for the Reserve Defence Force units based in Cavan to find alternative accommodation. Is he not the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: On a point of order, what sarcasm was in my contribution?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Any time I make a contribution in this House, it is genuine and sincere. I demand that the Senator withdraw his comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I was being genuine in my remarks about Deputy Penrose. I regard him as an honourable and decent man and he is my friend.