Results 101-120 of 1,253 for speaker:John Crown

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

John Crown: At it again.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

John Crown: I would like to bring to the attention of the Members a very sad article written under the pseudonym of Annie Shipsey in the Village magazine about the problem with regard to special needs assistants. The article was entitled Thank you Mr. Timothy Geithner and I recommend that everybody in the Oireachtas read it. As a result of this article, I have been asked to put a few specific questions...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Crown: On a point of clarification, I am not opposed to retirement and I anticipate my own retirement enthusiastically when the appropriate time comes. However, I am opposed to mandatory age-based retirement which, in my view, makes no sense, either medically, economically or socially. The current arbitrary retirement age of 65 was decided upon in a jurisdiction - Germany in 1870 - where at the...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill (2011): Report and Final Stages (23 Nov 2011)

John Crown: I am already.

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

John Crown: I echo the ringing congratulations that Senator Eamonn Coghlan has justifiably garnered today not only for his research and report and for his initiative to bring this important motion before the House, but also for the wonderful photograph in this morning's newspapers of a historical moment, the running of a 4 x 1 mile relay race in aid of the great charity, GOAL. I do not say as much...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

John Crown: I echo the remarks about Dr. Robinson's achievements and, as somebody who was a member of the diaspora when she was President, I experienced a surge of pride in the Irish community when somebody who had been as outward looking, internationalist and mould breaking in the context of Irish politics had been elected to the position. I am fascinated and impressed by her commitment to spreading...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

John Crown: Some rather disturbing figures were presented over the weekend which showed that in terms of international survival rates for cancer in the OECD - the group of economically developed nations - this country is faring badly and is anchored close to the bottom of the list. It is at the bottom of the list for some types of cancer. It is being suggested that this may be due to a relatively slow...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

John Crown: -----30 years of continuous service.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

John Crown: It is reported in today's newspapers that the constitutional convention will take place in the spring and the Taoiseach has specifically remarked, in comments attributed to him in today's edition of The Irish Times , that the future of the Seanad will not form part of the discussions at the convention, that the issue will be determined in a separate referendum which it appears will take place-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

John Crown: If anyone is going to interrupt me, perhaps we might have an angry exchange with someone on the opposite side of the House, as it might increase the chances of getting-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

John Crown: I have asked previously and I am asking again - this is not an invitation or a summons but something in between - that the Taoiseach, as head of the national Parliament, come and speak to one of the Houses of the Oireachtas about his plans on the future of the Constitution and this House. I cannot understand how such a debate has not yet taken place. In many ways, apart from the ongoing...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

John Crown: The human brain varies enormously. Some work extremely quickly, others a little less so and some can process huge amounts of information in short periods. I often have the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some of the international greats of science and stand in awe of what they are capable of achieving. Members may ask what is the relevance of this to the Seanad, all Members of which...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

John Crown: Reducing from three items to one-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

John Crown: Reducing the number of items it is permissible to raise from three to one has prevented me from raising two other issues I would have raised today but which I cannot do so now. I refer to the VHI increase and the use of agency staff at a higher rate of pay within the HSE in jobs that should be done by full-time staff. The other effect of this announcement will be an increase in the number...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

John Crown: I ask the Leader to consider, through the appropriate committees, readdressing the issue of the orders in this regard. This has limited the role of the Seanad as a forum for advocacy and means that fewer critical issues can be raised. I receive requests every day to raise issues in the Seanad. The reason this has happened is that there is inter-party procedural wrangling and a tit-for-tat...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

John Crown: I propose that the Order of Business be amended in order that the Taoiseach might come before the House to discuss the future of democracy in this country. I do not wish to be overly dramatic but the Taoiseach is a member of a party which prides itself on having — with some small exceptions during its history — a great adherence to democracy. It was one of the first parties to hand over...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

John Crown: This is the third occasion on which I have suggested that the Taoiseach should come before the House. I have voiced major objections to people using the voting procedures of the Seanad in order to delay its proceedings. Today, however, I will press for a full vote on my amendment——

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

John Crown: ——because people on both sides of the House must indicate what they believe to be the future of the Seanad and the say we should have in respect of it. In spirit, the Seanad is supposed to be different to the Dáil. I intend no disrespect to full-time politicians but the original idea was that individuals of a different skill set would become Members of this House. One of the reasons...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

John Crown: That is why I have quite a clear conscience in the context of requiring everyone to vote on my amendment. I know the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is a busy man but perhaps if he has nothing better to do, he might come before the House during the sos in order to outline his future plans for our national Parliament.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

John Crown: The Cathaoirleach should note that I am making a formal proposal in this regard.