Results 1,201-1,220 of 5,046 for speaker:Paschal Mooney

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: From that point of view, the debate under way on how we should fix the economy is to be welcomed. I particularly applaud the initiative of the Taoiseach who in recent days has made it clear that he would welcome a significant input from those who oppose the Government in both Houses and has designated a senior civil servant to act as a liaison officer. This suggestion has been rubbished,...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I will not be diverted from my initial intention to congratulate our colleague, Senator Ross, on his latest opus which he launched last night. I look forward to reading it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I raise the issue in the context of economic debate. I hope the Leader will buy Senator Ross's book and wish the Senator well. It has been brought to my attention that rural post offices are again under threat, particularly postmasters and postmistresses, primarily because Eircom has recently introduced a minimum payment of €20 for those paying bills at post offices. Moreover, O2 has...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I agree with Senator Cummins, as do Members on all sides of the House, that the integrity and credibility of Irish passports have been seriously eroded by Israeli and now Russian actions; it is terrible. At the time of the allegations involving the Israelis the Minister for Foreign Affairs requested a member of the Israeli diplomatic staff to return to Israel. In fairness, that was not was...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: Cuirim fáilte riomh an Aire Stáit, Deputy Cuffe. I believe it is my first opportunity to welcome him in his new capacity. On a separate issue I compliment him on the initiatives he has taken on planning and the hopeful elimination of ghost estates, with which my county has been blighted as the Acting Chairman, Senator Leyden, will testify, living as he does in that part of the world, but...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I thank Senator White. I would like to continue partially in that tradition because if we take not just County Leitrim but the entire western area and the midlands, which are under the severely disadvantaged scheme, there is nothing else for rural families, particularly with the downturn in our economic circumstances. Sadly, the only option now facing our educated children is to go abroad...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: Yes, it will.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I join Senator Cannon in asking the Leader, yet again, to seriously consider arranging a debate on tourism, a matter raised prior to the summer recess. While I understand the difficulty of finding time for such a debate, as I have repeatedly said in the House, tourism is our second most important indigenous industry. It is as important as discussing the Croke Park agreement-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: -----perhaps even more so because it impacts on every town and village. However, I take Senator Cannon to task to some degree in that we now have an innovative and creative Minister in that portfolio, as evidenced by the numbers putting together plans to encourage more people to visit the country While I appreciate what the Senator said about the figures for the numbers who come here from...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I could not help but think about the tooth fairy and I would be very interested to see Sinn Féin's detailed budget submission. Senator Doherty had some emotional talk about thousands of workers being put out on the dole and a slash and burn attitude. I do not believe that either the Government or the unions which have signed up to the agreement saw that as the ultimate end of this process....

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: In that context, I refer to the British Government's initiative in recent months to bring in from the business sector the head of Topshop. Essentially, he was brought in to do the job the Minister of State has outlined in the national procurement service. Some of his detailed analysis in his survey is extraordinary, particularly on the amount of waste in the public service. I will not take...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: -----that because it was not their money to spend, they could spend it. The ultimate justification is provided by the fact that the Minister set up a national procurement service. I recall the period in which I was a member of the Council of Europe between 2002 and 2007. The way the system worked - media commentators should take note - was that in respect of travel arrangements a contract...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: -----particularly, although I do not wish to single them out, the teachers' unions. I have been involved in education for a long time, as a member of a vocational education committee, and the unions which benefited the most from the benchmarking process were the teachers' unions because a range of assistant principal posts and other work titles was created. Not only were the postholders...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I am very reluctant to engage with my colleague on the other side of the House on what is essentially a political charge. No Senator on this side spoke about the Government clapping itself on the back. Mr. Tony McQuinn, chief executive of the Citizens Information Board, who is neither a Minister nor speaking on behalf of Fianna Fáil stated: This is a very good day for people with...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: The Senator should ask about all of the organisations which have obviously welcomed it.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: It is all very well to make a charge, but the Senator should back it up and provide substance. It is a political charge and I accept that if I was sitting on her side of the House, I would probably do the same.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: The Senator did.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: That is why I said I was very reluctant to get involved because I am only wasting my time.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I am not in any way undermining the bona fides of Senator McFadden, but I will say this. I am the parent of a special needs child and believe I have particular experience of dealing with State agencies and others; therefore, I become somewhat sensitive from time to time. I know there are inadequacies in the system and that there are very serious difficulties and deficiencies. I am also...

Seanad: Restructuring of Vocational Education Committees: Statements (19 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. There is a certain irony about the contributions made from all sides of the House which rightly have been defending the role, history and tradition of the VECs, as well as the massive contribution they have made to advancing the education system. This is because the teachers' union, the members of which receive their contracts from these same VECs, has...