Results 161-180 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I am glad the Senator is looking at the Taoiseach's website.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: The discrepancies that have been found in the electoral register are a disgrace. It is clearly a serious issue. However, with respect to students and part-time workers, getting them to carry out the work would not treat it with the importance it deserves. Voter registration should be linked to PPS numbers and a national identification card should be introduced to address a series of issues...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: E-voting could also be linked to a national identification card using chip and PIN technology, which should also be used in the areas of taxation, passports and so on. The sooner we wake up and begin to move forward, the better. The electoral register should be updated on a professional basis, not by part-time workers. It should be essential for every individual to exercise his or her...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I join with others in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. I welcome this Bill, which, as Senator McDowell noted, establishes a road safety authority and gives the Minister the opportunity to make regulations, which is very positive. Any measure which attempts to resolve what is effectively a national emergency involving the deaths of so many people is a positive development that...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: Can I share my time with Senator Kate Walsh?

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: Senators O'Toole and McDowell referred to licences which stored information via chip and PIN technology, for example. This would be beneficial in a range of issues, not least of which is driving competency, but also all State transactions. I am sure this matter will arise in later debates on the register of electors. I welcome the Bill. It is another step in the right direction but more needs...

Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I thank Senator O'Rourke for sharing her time. I am glad to have the opportunity to make some points on the issue, and I will try not to be repetitive, although much has already been said. I am grateful to Fine Gael for airing the matter in their time, as there is much agreement that there is a problem and much needs to be done to rectify it. We would all like this to happen as soon as...

Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: As the youngest Member on the Fianna Fáil side of this House, I contend this is ridiculous. Is it not true that no outgoing Member of the Dáil for the Labour Party is under 50? I say this before Senator White accuses me of being ageist.

Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I would be delighted if the demographic profile of the register had more 18-year-olds rather than 80-year-olds. If that is not the case, we aspire to bring that about. With regard to e-voting, I have a romantic view because I was brought up around count centres. I would like to have the old analogue method forever, but I am realistic. We are moving in a certain direction, so we should accept...

Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: Many people made great sacrifices over hundreds of years to give everybody that right. As a result, it should be mandatory.

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue and support the amendment because, as Senator Kenneally noted earlier, it is non-contentious. We are all aware that continued dependence on fossil fuel is unacceptable in this country and our combined efforts will be required if we are to develop a more sustainable future. Ireland's 90% dependency rate on fossil fuels compares...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I do not wish to be unduly critical of any Department or any aspect of the work of any Department. The decision that has been taken on the development mentioned by Senator Feighan warrants a debate in the House. It was suggested during the Second Stage debate on the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 that the legislation should relate to tourism amenities in certain...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements. (30 May 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I join with other Members in welcoming the Minister of State to the House and I am delighted to have the opportunity to make some points in respect of the BMW region, particularly regarding the roll-out of the national development plan and future development plans. This subject is so vast that Members should approach it by having separate debates on different aspects, such as the roll-out of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

Marc MacSharry: In respect of An Taisce, I will call for a debate in the early autumn on prescribed organisations relating to the planning process. First, I want to praise An Taisce for the many excellent measures it undertakes, such as the green flag scheme.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

Marc MacSharry: However, I believe An Taisce should be deprescribed from the planning process. Senator Norris made a point about wildly disproportionate language. I believe that its actions in general are wildly disproportionate. It lodges its objections at the last minute of the last applicable day in an effort to be divisive and destructive. Senator Dardis noted that some people would like see rural...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

Marc MacSharry: We live in rural areas and are entitled to build our homes as we see fit, not half doors over which we can look out and smoke pipes like Peig Sayers. A unique event is taking place on the other side of this city. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is launching the joint policing committees. This is an excellent step forward. We have heard about the principle of subsidiarity...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

Marc MacSharry: In theory.

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I second the motion. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, to the House and congratulate him, the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, their officials and all the stakeholders on putting together the Green Paper. Having had an opportunity to look over the debate which took place in the other House yesterday, I will not say it is long overdue. We all obviously know that, as the...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

Marc MacSharry: I am all in favour of an extension of the gas network to Wexford. My colleagues in the west will do everything to support him in this regard. However, north of a line between Dublin and Galway and west of Mullingar, there is no gas provision. Even if the Corrib gas pipeline comes to fruition, there will not be much provision for the people of Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. The Minister...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Marc MacSharry: How many studies does the Senator want?