Results 10,101-10,120 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, line 28, after "undertaking" to insert "unless specifically referred". This amendment is similar to amendment No. 2. It provides for the inclusion of the words "unless specifically referred". We discussed this matter on Committee Stage. I do not believe its inclusion is necessary, unless, on further examination, the Minister has found otherwise.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 8, line 32, after "person" to insert "or group". We discussed this matter on Committee Stage. I merely tabled the amendment to provide for the possibility that the definition would cover a group as well as a person. The explanation given on Committee Stage seemed satisfactory. However, we resubmitted a number of amendments, including this one, in accordance...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, line 8, after "Minister" to insert "and approved by the Oireachtas". The amendment deals with a theme that is a favourite hobby horse of mine. It has governed my life since I was elected to the House. I have great pleasure, therefore, in speaking to the amendment. Unfortunately, we tend to presume there will be Oireachtas approval, on the basis of...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: This goes to show that if one beats one's head off the wall often enough, eventually one will bore a hole in the wall. I thank the Minister for acknowledging this requirement. It is hugely important that we recognise the role of the Oireachtas, a sovereign parliament as opposed to, for instance, an assembly. We can all recognise that at least there is some role for the Houses of Parliament...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: He did, actually.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister is a man of many parts.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Solomon has come to judgment.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Great minds think alike.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That is disappointing.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is shameful.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I reiterate my support for this series of amendments on the basis that they provide for improvements in delivery of service, reliability and advancing the infrastructure of telecommunications for the future in keeping with the demands of the population. On amendment No. 10, the withdrawal of communications services is something we have experienced over the last 12 months or so. One of the...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: He was very specific last Saturday. Would that be Saturday night fever?

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That would be like a red card before a red card was warranted.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I will try to make the most of them. I recognise what the Minister has said about all the amendments. For some unknown reason we seem to be burdened with a vast amount of legislation, regulations, statutory instruments and protections of all descriptions which are deemed to serve the needs of the consumer, but they have not done so. This is the kernel of the problem. The legislation and...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 17: In page 10, line 33, after "information" to insert "and make provision by way of directive". Amendment No. 21 seeks to insert the following: "(c) the level of investment required to provide the level of service expected". This relates to the need to ensure ongoing investment in the infrastructure so it is upgraded in keeping with the requirement of the services...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 18: In page 10, line 45, after "State" to insert the following: "including the ongoing financial investment in the infrastructure".

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 24: In page 11, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(d) the financial stability or credibility of the undertaking with particular reference to future requirements in respect of investment in modern infrastructure.".

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 26: In page 13, line 8, after "application" to insert the following: "provided the interests of the end user or customer are acknowledged". This is very similar to the amendment in the name of Deputy Broughan in the sense that it attempts to ensure the protection of the interests of the customer or end user, whichever title is used. They could be one and the same,...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 27: In page 13, line 19, after "disclosure" to insert ", as defined in the Whistleblowers Act,". Deputy Broughan and I did not discuss this issue and both our amendments on this matter were put down spontaneously. Reference is made to whistleblowers and disclosure of information and evidence. We agree that a person divulging information which could be beneficial to the...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Someone who blows a whistle.