Results 1,221-1,240 of 3,225 for speaker:Paul Connaughton Snr

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: It must be recognised that there are no guaranteed outlets. There are 9 million acres of relatively good land here. On foot of European Union constraints and restraints of every description, our national herd is declining, there are fewer sheep and cattle and less tillage. As a result, a great deal of land is lying idle. The best land in the entire country has been set aside. In recent...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Some research is being done at Oak Park and a number of other locations but it is only beginning. If the Minister pays the piper, the tune will be called. When 2,500 eminent scientists throughout the world say we have a problem with climate change, we must take it seriously. If it turns out that, because of the way the Government decided to kick-start this process and encourage the...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: That whole area has not been thought out. I made representations recently for two people who are getting involved in the manufacture of wood pellets and discovered there is very little capital for it. I will give way to Deputy Hayes.

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will support the introduction of information and communications technology as a subject for the junior certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5012/07]

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 119: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when will she address the difficulties at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if she will ensure a school will remain in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4996/07]

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 317: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway, the parent of a child with autism, does not qualify for the cost of the VRT on the purchase price of a motor vehicle to convey the child to and from the various activities that they have to attend in view of the fact that they are a huge risk in an ordinary car, that normal safety belts do...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006): From the Seanad. (14 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I beg the Minister of State to back away from one of the most draconian measures since I was elected to this Houses, which is not today or yesterday. Whatever the reasons behind it, this legislation will split families. Heretofore house ownership had been sacrosanct. Many people aspire to owning a house. When people spend a lifetime working to own a house and arrive at the most vulnerable...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006): From the Seanad. (14 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: The Minister of State is trying to take the roof from over elderly people. In the Chamber there is a roof for us all, as long as it lasts. This is a serious matter and it surprises me that the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party has allowed it to reach this stage.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when it is expected to have the outcome of his consideration regarding the case for converting the GSI from a division of his Department into a stand alone agency on foot of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 21 November 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5424/07]

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (14 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 170: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will quantify the full extent of the expected return on investment in the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5423/07]

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 203: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been deemed unsuccessful; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the applicant only left the jurisdiction for two weeks in 2001, a similar length of time in 2002 and 2003, three weeks in 2004, two weeks...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I am sure the Deputy will do that.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: It does come as a surprise. The Deputy could have fooled me.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: There would have been no stopping Deputy O'Connor.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I would say that the Deputy was always a very clever student.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: The Deputy would like to return here all the same.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Good man, Charlie.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Get out the guitar.

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I am delighted to contribute to the debate on the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I welcome the Bill. Like Deputy O'Connor, I do not have an educational background although a few members of my family are teachers. Something had to be done about disruptive students. I hope this legislation will address the problem but as the Minister is aware there is "many a slip 'tween cup and...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Whatever link there is between the school and the home, it must include the parents and guardians of the children concerned. I admire youth work and extra-curricular activities. Even in the best communities, there are always three or four parents who must do the work of 30 or 40. Whatever activity, be it youth work, football or hurling, it will always come down to three or four good...