Results 1,341-1,360 of 2,137 for speaker:Jerry Cowley

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I do not know why the issue cannot be debated. Something is wrong and I protest.

Offshore Exploration. (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether a long-term strategic plan for the oil and gas industry operating here, and a repayment of at least 20 per cent on gross profits, should be enforced by statute on these speculator companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26681/06]

Offshore Exploration. (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I welcome the review of the fiscal terms and I am glad the Private Members' motion tabled by the Technical Group was instrumental in this happening. However, it will only be when 50% of the Corrib gas field has been exploited that the company will have to pay 1 cent in tax. Given the 100% capital write off, it will be light years before tax is...

Offshore Exploration. (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I agree that unless the Corrib gas does come ashore we can never profit from it. The difficulty is that a material deviation has taken place in the development plan under the 1992 terms. This deviation takes the form of transporting material several kilometres instead of putting it behind concrete dams at the site in Ballinaboy, and the Advantica report suggests major changes in pressure and...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I support Deputy Shortall's amendment. It is a good one. There was a slogan some years ago, "Just two will do", which was unfortunate as people would then get the idea that, provided they were below the limit, they could still drive. That is correct. The difficulty is that people do not improve with alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant on the central nervous system. A person who is completely...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I have sympathy with Deputy Shortall's amendment and I agree that many people refuse to take the test. However, I feel consideration for older people should be entered into the equation. I asked a parliamentary question about the number of people over 65 years of age who are on provisional licences, and the reply was a couple of thousand. Many of them have been driving for years and have...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I am putting the kibosh on it because I must speak for my constituents——

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: ——and my older constituents in particular who deserve consideration.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I am talking about areas with no public transport. Those people deserve special consideration and I ask the Minister to take that into account.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: Other countries provide for restricted categories and define when and where certain people can drive. I do not see why we cannot be innovative. Surely the system is supposed to suit the people. If a category needs consideration, at least we should hold an investigation to determine whether such a proposal is possible.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: We were the first country in Europe to introduce a smoking ban, on which I compliment the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin. Just because something is not done elsewhere does not mean we should not consider it here. Older people need every consideration because we will be old ourselves sometime.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I move amendment No. 27: In page 6, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following: "5.—Section 106 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following new paragraph after paragraph (d): "(e) Where a member of the Garda Síochána is present at the scene of an accident, resulting in the death or serious personal injury, he or she shall require where possible the driver(s) of the...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: There is a case to be made for it. Deputy Olivia Mitchell has an amendment that refers to alcohol testing without drug testing and, on that basis, I withdraw the amendment.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I support this amendment for the same reason I proposed the previous amendment. It is farcical that many are killed on our roads with no one held responsible. We are about to pass a Bill that will allow a driver to drink and drive, kill several people and walk away from the accident without being tested for alcohol. This amendment would redress the situation. The Minister cannot ignore 20,000...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I wish to speak on the amendment.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I should have spoken before that. I was on my feet before it was withdrawn.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I accept what the Minister has said but it is terrible that there are people who will be over the legal limit and will not go to a hospital but who will walk away from an accident and not be breathalysed. It is a farce that it is not included in the legislation.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: I strongly support this amendment and congratulate Deputy Shortall for bringing it forward. I tabled a similar amendment but it was ruled out of order because of a potential charge on the Exchequer. The amendment allowed for an annual audit of fatal and serious road accidents to establish their causes. Current statistics are the tip of the iceberg on the number of accidents caused by road...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: With respect, Sir, it is not. This is all within the terms of the amendment, including the case of Sinéad McDaid who was killed on loose chippings because there was one sign up which was hidden by grass. I do not believe that is outside the terms of the amendment either. We are talking about rural conditions and people being responsible while others are fined. At present, however, nobody...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Jerry Cowley: With respect, Sir, I have to say that——