Results 1,141-1,160 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: As somebody who has represented Tallaght skilfully for over 20 years, the Minister will be well aware that Tallaght is all about national issues and what happens in Tallaght today can happen in the rest of the country tomorrow. I am not from Tallaght but I represent Tallaght. I also represent Brittas, Bohernabreena, Firhouse, Templeogue and Greenhills. I bring to my Dáil business my own...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: ——but I am very proud of my community and the developments that have taken place.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I will do my best.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Deputy Gormley raised the issue of whether pharmacists should be in health centres or located elsewhere. I am aware from talking to doctors that there are different views on that but there are many pharmacists throughout my constituency and in particular in the Tallaght area and the interests of patients are best served if they can access GP services in the first class, modern facilities now...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: No. I did not say that and I hope it will not be on the record.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: The Minister knows that those organisations provide tremendous service to the local communities. Points are often made about the role of the local pharmacist in those issues. As I have said before about Tallaght, for a while we sent our problems on the bus into Pearse Street to have these matters dealt with, which should not be the way. I am glad we have made enlightened progress in many...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Those pharmacies always seem to be packed and are finding innovative ways to overcome trade competition and attract people to their stores. I am opposed to buying my aspirin from Tesco. I am sorry for picking on Tesco; although I am sure they would welcome the odd mention. We should continue to uphold the service being provided by pharmacies generally. I marvel at the way the Minister can...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: It is Friday afternoon. I am trying to stay calm in order to psyche myself to go to Saggart in the Minister's constituency for the Ard-Fheis tonight and tomorrow, where I am sure there will be considerable excitement. I am glad Fine Gael realised the worth of the facilities close to Tallaght and it is having its Ard-Fheis there also. It is important to be here this afternoon dealing with...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: It is not four. The Deputy should not try to fool the little people.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: There was a time when I might have been able to make a prediction. However, now like everybody else I have not a clue.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am sure somebody knows. It is good to remind ourselves that the Bill makes provision for the regulation of pharmacies, including provision for the dissolution of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the setting up of a new Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, for the establishment, constitution and functions of the new society's council, a new system of registration of qualified...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am quite happy. Que sera sera. I have confidence in the people in my constituency. When I went into my local school this morning the youngsters reminded me that it probably had not been painted in 40 years.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Absolutely. I was about to make a point relevant to the Bill. When I speak in the Dáil I take example from more experienced colleagues like Deputy Durkan. If the Acting Chairman thinks I am rambling, it is because I am following his example and take advantage of the time available to me to speak about issues which do relate to the Bill.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I was pleased that the children in that particular class showed an interest in politics. Everybody, particularly young people, can be cynical about politics. I was able to tell them where I was going today and that I hoped to get to speak on the Criminal Justice Bill. I was certainly able to tell them that I would speak on the Pharmacy Bill. They genuinely showed an interest in the...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I would have been happy to share some of my time with Deputy Shortall. Someone said to me today that listening to my contributions was like taking a walking tour of Tallaght. I took it as a compliment.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: They are down, yes. Incidentally, I was the only one officialdom picked on. Nobody else was picked on. I would appreciate the Chair's protection. I acknowledge the presence of the Minister and his contribution to this area. I could easily ambush him by talking about the proposed new Garda station for my home town of Tallaght but I am aware he is working on that and that he will have good...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: They spoke about justice issues and crime issues. Perhaps those of us who attended Drimnagh Castle are different but I am telling the truth. The Minister will be glad to know that what he is trying to achieve is having an impact on people. It is important that young people have a positive view in terms of justice and crime issues and that we get across that message. I speak not only as a...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am making my contribution and making my point. I do not believe anybody on these benches, including the Tánaiste, would deny that problems exist, which is why he spends every waking moment, as far I can gather, doing his job.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: If people say of me at my lowly level that I am everywhere, it is certainly true of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, whatever else we might say about him.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am not patronising. Whenever I have contacted the Tánaiste he has always been helpful and I am not afraid to say so. He was the first man to welcome me when I came into this House and spoke to me about the problems in my constituency. All Deputies contact him regarding issues in their constituencies. It is not true to say he does not listen or respond to us. I am not afraid to say...