Results 941-960 of 1,714 for speaker:John Dardis

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Those of us who have been in the House for a while can recall a period when the ducks were escorted by the Garda across the road from Leinster Lawn to St. Stephen's Green. They are an integral part of the Oireachtas. Yesterday, we received an e-mail which stated we should not feed them bread because it is toxic.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: However, Dublin Zoo is sending a special supply of feed for the ducks, which is good.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Hopefully, there will not be bodies on which to have an inquest.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: This is a serious issue. I strongly support Senator O'Toole's comments on the issue of farm gate prices. The corporate food industry has got the EU by the scruff of the neck to ensure people who produce wholesome, natural food on farms and try to sell it in their local communities should be prevented from doing so. That trend has been consistent over a number of years. As a member of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: It deserves to be mentioned.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: The port tunnel and associated issues were raised by Senators O'Toole, Ormonde and Ryan. Heavy goods vehicles present a major issue, which was raised previously, and I accept the figures quoted by Senator Ryan. However, it is extraordinary, no matter how often one travels on the dual carriageway out of Dublin towards Cork and Limerick, the number of vehicles that have no number plates on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Ireland is one of the top nine countries in the provision of such aid. Economic growth domestically has provided for an enormous increase in the ODA spend. While it has not reached the target set, as we had all hoped, progress has been made.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: More than €500 million is provided in ODA with no conditions attaching, unlike many other countries.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: We will be delighted to debate the issue in the autumn. The employment permits Bill, which will provide rights to non-nationals who come to Ireland to work, will come before the House. The employee should be the permit holder rather than the employer and the Bill is heading in that direction to ensure the rights of employees are vindicated. Senators Ryan and Finucane raised the issue of cost...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Matters relating to this were discussed earlier at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights but I had to attend to ensure a quorum. Such issues should be debated at this forum and I hope those responsible will attend to debate them. The Leader dealt in detail with the matter of risk equalisation yesterday. There is no proposal to privatise the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: I do not know about the situation with regard to the emergency Bill in the Dáil on the registration of births, deaths and marriages but we will look into that. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has actively tried to deal with the MRSA bug. Senator Leyden is correct, however, this involves a question of hygiene. I noted in Scotland there was a recommendation that telephones...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Resources are available that hopefully can be used to market the region. The Senator's point about the regional tourism organisations is correct and it should be examined. Senators Scanlon and O'Meara raised the question of overruns in public contracts. Senator White also raised the matter of a child care conference on Friday at 10 a.m. in the Berkeley Court Hotel.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: Senator O'Meara mentioned BreastCheck. I noted a suggestion last week that a blood test could be far more accurate in terms of diagnosis than the scan so perhaps that should be studied. That could be a cheaper and more efficient way of doing this test.

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: proposal for a Council Decision on the exchange of information and co-operation concerning terrorist offences, a copy of which proposed measure was laid before Seanad Éireann on 16 June 2005.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: It would be desirable for the House to debate the risk equalisation amendment scheme 2005 but it is essential that the Tánaiste is present for such a debate. She has always shown herself to be very amenable to attending this House and to debate any issues the House wishes to debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: She is unusually amenable, in my experience of Ministers. Perhaps the Leader knows whether she is available but I suspect that she may not be. If we are to have the debate however, the Tánaiste should be present. This is not a question of ideology.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: The only time I hear about ideology is when Senator Ryan repeats the word every week. This is a question of trying to do what is best for patients and consumers of the health service.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: There is no question, to use Senator Ryan's phrase, of "brutal market forces". They have nothing to do with the health service, as the Senator knows. In addition, the Tánaiste is on record as saying that she favours risk equalisation and community rating which will happen eventually. I share the views of Senator Brian Hayes on the imprisonment of the unfortunate people from Mayo. We cannot...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

John Dardis: The House agreed.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

John Dardis: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats group, I am delighted to be associated with the tributes to Mr. Ray Hesse. I wish him well in his retirement, which I hope he will enjoy. It is extraordinary that some of the staff of the Houses, like Ray, have served us for 32 years. Such an enormous record of public service is not generally recognised as it should be. Ray Hesse has always been a...