Results 141-160 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Ferry Services (30 Sep 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I wish to raise the issue of the Cork to Swansea ferry link as I am seriously concerned because we are now facing into a third year without this ferry service. I recall in 1989 that we were without a service in the southern region, which led to a significant economic backlash for freight, tourism, etc. In Cork and Kerry in particular we are largely dependent on tourism. In that period...

Seanad: European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: Like Senator Regan, I have no problem in welcoming this proposal. It is good to see a network that is common to all of Europe. Historically in civil, commercial and contract laws we come from a common law background whereas the law in most of Europe is based on the Napoleonic code. I have one question on contact points. Has it been established which contact points will be used here? Is...

Seanad: Volunteering in Irish Society: Statements (14 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I wish to briefly contribute to this important topic. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Many of the points I wish to raise probably have been already raised. When we think of volunteerism we tend to think of the GAA, one of the greatest volunteering organisations that has been in place in Ireland for the past 130 years. I admire people who are involved in all sports, whether...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: There is some merit in what my colleague on the other side of the House has said. I am interested in the extent to which the remit of the new coastal zone management authority will apply to bays and harbours. Kenmare Bay is one of the special areas of conservation around our coast. I understand that it is proposed to zone much of Bantry Bay in such a manner, which would limit the scope for...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: We are discussing licensing and I beg the Leas-Chathaoirleach's indulgence to wade with me a little further into deeper waters because the issue all comes back to licensing. I should have adverted to the introduction by my colleague, Senator Cummins. I grew up with this and have seen the difficulty of licensing and coastal zone management. If we want to discuss the wider area of planning...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I am glad to hear what the Minister has said, but I am also confused. This is what I have been talking about. I could expand on what Senator Cummins has said. I will not discuss Chile, but I could discuss France and Spain which have done equally well and have generated a lot of employment in the mussel sector. I could quote facts and figures all day. Senator Cummins spoke about the...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: While I do not doubt the Minister of State's sincerity when he says the issue of licensing is amply covered in the Bill, I have grave doubts whether that is the case. While I do not want to be parochial in talking about Bantry Bay, Dunmanus Bay, the Sheep's Head, Bere Island and other areas I represent, my concerns stem from the fact that a week ago in this House, Senators expressed their...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: A small number of amendments have been tabled and most are grouped. It is not the case that we will be here for the next six months. I have concerns and I will read three or four brief paragraphs from a letter from the legal advisor of the Bantry Bay Harbour Board, Mr. Rory O'Callaghan.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: It is to do with both. It concerns controls, regulations and laws. An important point was raised with regard to Cork County Council. I am subject to correction but I believe that approximately 12 years ago, a report made a number of recommendations with regard to Bantry harbour and one was that Cork County Council would take it over. At the time, I was a member of Bantry Bay Harbour...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: It does but it is raised here with regard to control and zoning. I am extremely concerned that An Bord Pleanála, when it hears about Bantry Bay, will want to close the ditch west of Dunmanway — Senator McCarthy will be left alone — and provide a safari park for people to visit. Forget about fishermen and traditional rights——

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: It is grand for the people who can come in to the bay with their big yachts because they do not have to live there. We have to survive there. I appreciate the Minister of State has said he will reconsider this and I am sure he will return on Report Stage and tell us not alone were Senators Cummins and McCarthy correct but I was also following which we will have a plethora of Government...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I have grave reservations as to what might occur if these provisions are accepted. Recently, the Cork Port Authority, with the support of Cork Chamber of Commerce and Cork County Council, proposed to build a major transhipment container facility in Cork Harbour. Such a facility would be welcome in the south. The proposal was referred to An Bord Pleanála which rejected it, in essence,...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: Do not goad me now.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I have strong concerns that we are taking from the Minister certain powers to give to An Bord Pleanála. We are all are being told about political responsibility, transparency, etc., and another part the Bill provides that members of local authorities cannot be on boards, but in some instances political responsibility can be good.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: Here we are transferring this power to An Bord Pleanála and I do not think it is properly thought out. Again, I must be parochial. I think of the problems coming down the track for Bantry Bay where some fellow will make an application only to withdraw it. Recently, we had a nice situation on the shores of Whiddy Island where young fellows who admirably returned to the island and a few...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I am thinking about the old days of the bastable, to be good to my mother, when it would be made over the fire with the sods of turf on top and if the fruit sank, we would have no Christmas because there would be tears, etc. I am worried that in this respect we are adding an ingredient that will ensure that the fruit will sink and we will have a result we never anticipated. Senator Cummins...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: They object to everything.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I acknowledge the Minister of State is saying the provision affects only ports. This is what we are here to debate. Indirectly or directly, it will affect the ports in Cork, Bantry and Fenit, on which my good friend Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke on Second Stage. He has grave concerns for many reasons because a shotgun marriage is being proposed in respect of Fenit port and the Shannon...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: Before the Senator takes the issue a step further I want to make a few brief comments. I accept what the Minister said but I want to record that I supported the strategic infrastructure legislation. The Minister said the power has been used rarely in the past few years for long, drawn out CPOs. I chaired a committee on the Constitution that examined the area of property rights and so on...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I am just starting.