Results 101-120 of 1,714 for speaker:John Dardis

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: We know that his proposals are preparing us for the WTO talks. The Minister and I both know enough about playing poker to know that one does not put one's cards on the table until the game is over.

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: That is my main criticism of the proposals; they show the European Union's hand to the WTO long before the game is settled.

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: I am trying to be constructive in pointing to a direction in which we can go in the talks. The trick will be to ensure we keep people in rural areas. It is not good enough for Commissioner Fischler to say this can be done through rural development initiatives. While welcome, if there are no farmers farming in the areas in which the initiatives were taken, the system will fail. We must also...

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: There is a major opportunity for the national food industry in this area. If we get to the point where the environmental restrictions are such that they make it difficult for farmers engaged in intensive agriculture to farm, it will present an immense opportunity for us to give consumers the type of food they are increasingly demanding at the prices they are prepared to pay for such high...

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: With regard to prices, we are still suffering from an intervention mentality. Intervention was greatly important because it gave prices a base, otherwise the position would have been catastrophic. Farmers still believe they must produce for a market that will clear for them at a price and that they do not have to give the consumer what he or she requires. If we are to learn anything from...

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: It is legitimate to ask people to pay for a service if they get it. One of the great scandals, frequently talked about here, is the way disease controls have been operated during the years. There are many vested interests at play. I applaud those who took them on.

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: The question of research needs to be attended to. It is as if the State did not contribute anything. However, it has contributed, at significant cost, to compensation payments in respect of the rendering industry and problems arising from BSE and foot and mouth disease for which the Minister was successful in securing money. With regard to BSE, we must examine the situation where a whole herd...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: Or turned a blind eye.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: We will orchestrate something.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: It is known as recycling. Question put and agreed to. Section 6 agreed to. SECTION 7.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: I raised this issue on Second Stage. I cannot agree with Senator Bannon. We have to have regard to cost. The original BATNEEC referred to "not excessive costs", which was used as an opt-out, certainly by local authorities at some points. I refer, for example, to the pollution of the River Liffey by sewage treatment plants. That reference was used as a type of refuge or an excuse for not doing...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: Leaving aside the cost aspect, one of the effects of amendment No. 4 would be to remove the obligation to use technology regardless of whether the techniques are used or produced within the State. That is an important statement—

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: —because it could be used as a refuge or an opt-out in that people would say if it is not available within the State, they should not have to use it. That should not be the case.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: I sympathise with what Senator Bannon is trying to achieve, which is an objective shared by the Minister. However, the effect of adopting the amendment would be to reduce the standard rather than increase it. The Bill mentions effluents but it does not specify whether they are hazardous or not. If one adopted the "hazardous" approach one could have a situation where something was not...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: The intention is laudable. It would be desirable that other local authority areas would be cognisant of the potential for pollution that might impinge on them but there would be a huge knock-on effect if the amendment was accepted. It could logically be argued that if a person was applying for planning permission for a house bordering a neighbouring local authority area, there would be an...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: People should have to state reasons for their decisions, whether such decisions are by a bank or a local authority or other body. I believe I am correct in stating that recent planning and development legislation requires An Bord Pleanála to give reasons for its decisions. In the interests of consistency, it is desirable that some provision of that nature should be included in the Bill.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: It is covered by the 1937 Act.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: I am sure the Minister will correct me if I am wrong, but if we were to exclude "all persons for the time being", a person, for example, who leased a facility as an operator but was not its owner would be exempt.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: I can think of one example of which I have experience. A succession of attempts was made by the EPA and the local authority to try to control a certain activity that was taking place – to the extent of going to the High Court – but the limitations of the legal system were evident in terms of the person's being able to continue the activity. If the Senator's proposed words were added it...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

John Dardis: This Act is no different from any other legislation in that, if someone commits an offence, it is open to the authorities to seek their extradition, if that is what is required. I do not see the distinction between this Bill and any other. If people break the law they are subject to the relevant penalties, irrespective of the nature of the applicable legislation. Section 94 refers to the fact...