Results 1,441-1,460 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I echo the sentiments of Senator O'Reilly and thank the Independent Senators for tabling this motion. The first line of the motion refers to the inordinate amount of parliamentary time consumed by a contentious stream of Adjournment motions. I have brought four of these since Christmas and I need to bring another motion next week. I am sure Senators on all sides of the House know of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: The customer charter reads well but as Senator Shane Ross mentioned——

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Senator Ross is correct to mention that a school principal, parent or pupil should be able to look at the departmental website and see where they are on the waiting list for additional school buildings. Senators Ross and O'Reilly were among the previous speakers who mentioned the perception of stroke pulling in the area of providing new school buildings. Whether it exists in reality, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with previous speakers on the issue of the pay talks. Senator O'Reilly probably put it best when he spoke about the issue raised by Mr. Begg and the spiralling level of incomes of some senior executives. This has a knock-on effect when it comes to politicians and Members of the Government. I am interested in hearing the views of the incoming Taoiseach on this issue. Previously I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Can anyone else speak on the Order of Business?

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Bradford, concerning the emerging food shortages that have come to light across the globe in recent weeks. When does the Deputy Leader envisage we will have a discussion on the World Trade Organisation talks? It was supposed to happen during the week of the former President Hillery's funeral. I was hoping the debate would take place this week...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I am not aware of any terrorist threats in County Kilkenny. I extend my best wishes to Deputy Séamus Brennan on his retirement from Government. In my time in this House I found him to be the member of the Cabinet most open to Members of the Opposition. I sincerely wish for him the best of health in the future, and I am sorry he is no longer a member of Government. I join the other...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome Senator Keaveney's remarks about the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. As the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, has been chairing meetings on the Lisbon treaty, he must intend to vote "Yes" on this occasion.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: That is one more vote for the Lisbon treaty. I join Senator de Búrca in commenting on the issue of energy costs, which both of us raised last week. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, should come to the House as soon as possible to discuss the ongoing increases in energy costs which individuals and businesses must face. I also highlight the matter of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: It is the same throughout the country. We should have a debate as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Rubbish. We do not have legislation.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: Amendments Nos. 62 and 64 to 66, inclusive, are cognate and may be discussed together by agreement. Government amendment No. 62: In page 53, subsection (3)(a)(i), line 20, to delete "road authorities" and substitute "the road authority".

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I second the motion and welcome my old sparring partner, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, back to the House. We spent four years debating financial and economic issues prior to the last general election. I am glad to see that he has been elevated to his new position. As Senator Twomey pointed out, the Minister of State and his senior colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: In case that was a fluke, I said it as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Leader for arranging a debate on the world trade talks this week. I also wish to raise the issue of housing, which I raised last week, and the shortfall experienced by many local authorities, not just the collapse announced in Dublin with regard to social and affordable housing. Many local authorities have seen a significant cut in their allotted funding for social and...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: That is waffle.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements (Resumed) (21 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. The Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, was here earlier and I congratulate him on his appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. His appointment comes at an important time for the development of the agriculture industry here. I am glad we have the opportunity today to discuss the WTO talks. I have been seeking debate on the...

Seanad: Transport 21: Motion (21 May 2008)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Senator Bradford for sharing his time with me. I am glad to have this opportunity to speak on the issue of transport. I agree with Senator Bradford that we should have more debates on this issue. The Government motion, to which an amendment has been tabled, begged amendment. It is a one line statement: "That Seanad Éireann commends the Government on its commitment to transport...