Results 861-880 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: National Lottery: Motion (23 May 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Senator Daly's language gives the game away.

Seanad: NAMA and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Transparency Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: At the outset I take the opportunity to withdraw some of my perhaps excessively harsh criticism of Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell on the last occasion we had a debate. I was disappointed with her contribution and considered it to be all style over substance. I was harsh because I consider Senator O'Donnell to be somebody of substance. I reviewed the speech I gave in the other Chamber during...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I wish to raise again a matter I raised a couple of weeks ago, as I was not satisfied by the complete lack of response to it. I refer those schools which should have DEIS status but which do not, that is, those schools which did not meet the criteria in 2005 but that certainly would meet all the criteria now. These schools are experiencing the same cuts as any other school, which is...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Senator Norris is getting that, with his salary and pension.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I support the pardon announced by the Minister for Defence yesterday. The people from this country who went to fight against Nazi Germany could only be considered as heroes and nothing else.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: That is not the matter I wish to raise, however. I wish to refer to an instance of pointed unfairness in regard to social welfare. Perhaps the Leader will pass my message on to the Minister for Social Protection. If somebody has an investment property and is now not working, the value of that property is used in means tests by the Department. However, if the loan on that property is not...

Seanad: Disadvantaged Status (13 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: An important issue I have raised for some time concerns several schools that met the DEIS qualifying criteria in 2005 but were not awarded DEIS status by the Department of Education and Skills. I am eager for it to be realised these schools cannot take the same cuts as normal schools. Courtown, County Wexford, is in the second fastest growing area in the country with a population of 5,000....

Seanad: Disadvantaged Status (13 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: The Minister has stated he will not identify the schools in question but that "a key priority for the Department is to prioritise and target resources in schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage." He has clearly decided to abandon those schools which should have DEIS status and have met the criteria for it. That is wrong. I will be moving an all-party motion on...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Senator Mooney has had a long and distinguished career in broadcasting. If it ever finishes, he could take up a career in comedy. He certainly made Senator Wilson laugh with his comments earlier.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: For some time I have raised the matter of schools that qualified for DEIS status but were not awarded it. Last night, I raised it again on the Adjournment and requested the schools to be identified. The response from the Minister last night stated they would not be identified.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Let me finish, a Chathaoirligh. Will the schools be identified so that we can see the scope of the problem and the extent of how much money may be required to ensure the most vulnerable pupils are catered for? I will be putting down an all-party motion on this matter and hope all parties will support it.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Without the referendum, we would not have this Bill. Much work was done by Fine Gael and the Labour Party to get the proposal passed. That tends not to be noticed, because the expectation is that Government parties will get a proposal over the line. I have long been critical of the stance Fianna Fáil has taken on various issues, and I have always believed its members put Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: The Senator has not allowed me to finish. He should hear me out.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Sinn Féin is the new Fianna Fáil on the basis that it puts the party ahead of the nation. That is not good for any political party. I do not say this lightly, as I respect Sinn Féin's three representatives in the Chamber. They are people of ability, but anyone with ability could see that passing the referendum was the right and intelligent choice on behalf of the people. There is a...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I welcome him to the Chamber. It is good to see that he is wearing clothes. Three of the five countries that have required funding to date did not experience deficit-led difficulties but banking difficulties. The banking institutions within Europe managed to ensure the sovereigns took on the debts and were locked out of the market. It is clear that we will contribute €1.27 billion of the...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I referred to Sinn Féin's emperor.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I agree with the views on corruption of councillors expressed by my colleague from Waterford, Senator David Cullinane. I support that fully. As the matter is before the court today, one may not comment. I remind Senator Cullinane that in the same week the gentleman in question was found guilty, some Sinn Féin councillors were convicted of murder in Northern Ireland. I think Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I think it should be noted that Senator Cullinane has a very selective memory when it comes to former councillors.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Michael D'Arcy: I wish to raise the subject of anaerobic digestion for consideration. Compared with other jurisdictions, in particular Germany and Austria, which produce 15% of their electricity requirement from anaerobic digestion, this State has no such plants. The energy produced is sold for a similar price to offshore wind energy. It is more expensive than normal and it is considered to be too...