Results 121-140 of 11,811 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I support my colleagues who have raised the issue of over regulation. When regulations come down the track from Europe we, as a country and as a people, seem to automatically accept them. We should have a debate on this issue and I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate that. For example, a farmer can produce 50 free-range eggs. I know a particular family which produces free-range eggs and...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: That might not be enough.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: That leads me to a point on planning permission. The area of planning in rural Ireland is another on which I also ask for a debate, although not before the end of this session. I have discovered in the new county development plan that three quarters of my entire electoral area, the Bantry electoral area, which has 16,000 to 18,000 people, covering all of the peninsulas, can never be built...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: There is a credit crunch taking place that we have not yet even seen where the banks are squeezing and squeezing, and yet, as Senator Ross has stated, some of the directors are being paid annual earnings of €4 million plus. They are thinking selfishly. If the banks do not play a role in the economic recovery it is time the Government told them to come on board on this one or else the ship...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: It will be like hitting the——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: ——iceberg and holing the ship. The banks cannot selfishly walk away from the situation which they are responsible for creating over the past decade.

Seanad: Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank my colleagues on the Opposition side for their support for the Bill, by and large. I thank the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, for listening to the concerns of my colleagues and for tabling appropriate amendments to clarify some small issues. This is an important Bill which recognises the role of the Irish language in the legal profession, which includes both barristers and solicitors....

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Cathaoirleach who is a most indulgent and patient man. I ask the Leader if there is any possibility, given the difficult situation in the fishing industry, of having a brief debate on the issue before we conclude this session next week. In particular, I am concerned about the fact that most, if not all, crewmen are self-employed and they seem to have been ignored by the Cawley...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: It is an inhabited island off west Cork. The man in question is getting his house built for €127,500. In that context, are we getting value for money? I believe the point speaks for itself.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: On the points made by Members of the Opposition regarding the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, I, as spokesperson on justice, would have no problem if the House were to sit next Tuesday and Wednesday to conclude the legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: Perhaps it should be considered by the Whips. My learned colleague, Senator Regan, mentioned the legislation primarily concerns public order. I do not disagree entirely, but I must state that the question of the 170 theatre licences issued this year is being ignored. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of a loophole in the existing legislation to obtain licences that were never...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Like the previous speakers, I express my sincere sympathy for the family of Séamus Brennan, former Senator and Member of the other House. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy John Curran, to the House. This is the first time I have spoken here while he has been present...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: From the initial discussions on this debate, there have been a number of meetings. I wish to bring some balance to the matter. I understand the frustration from the opposite side and I proposed yesterday that I would have no problem in the House sitting next week.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: That is a matter for myself. On the principle of amendments, we must deal with every one on merit and it will ultimately be a question for the Minister of State. In the process over the past several weeks, the Minister has accepted several amendments, one example being the proposal that the 46 or 47 early opening houses throughout the country, which serve a purpose, were to be either closed...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I have mixed views on the issue of closing times. Senator Bacik spoke about dancing until dawn but I visited a night club only once in the past ten years, on the occasion of a birthday, and I felt somewhat out of place. Most of the people there appeared young enough to be my children or grandchildren. There is a problem in terms of the misuse and abuse of alcohol and we should not forget...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I seek clarification from the Minister of State on a point I raised earlier regarding sequential closing times. Whatever the case may be in Wales, England or Scotland, has the Garda made a submission, either orally or in writing, that there is a problem from the perspective of policing or monitoring people coming onto the streets at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.? I understand, from the Minister...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senators are being mischievous.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: On a point of order, irrespective of whether Senator Quinn did something inappropriate regarding Standing Orders, the Leas-Chathaoirleach has ruled on this matter. No material advantage or disadvantage has been gained by Senator Quinn moving the amendment instead of Senator Alex White. Even if there was an advantage it would have been voted down so in no way——

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I wish to clarify what I said. If there had been a vote called on it——

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Jul 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister of State for his time and effort. Society will thank us for passing this Bill. Since the Bill was published, there have been at least six changes or alterations made as a result of debate. Also, the Minister of State said today that some of the issues raised by the Opposition will be definitively addressed in the autumn in the other Bill that deals with alcohol related...