Results 161-180 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

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

Denis O'Donovan: I do not wish to labour the point as we cannot develop it much further. We have had a lengthy debate on section 7, which is opposed by Senator Cummins and others. I urge the Minister to reflect on what has been proposed in the section, if not now, before Report Stage. I refer in particular to section 7(2)(b) concerning two wide-ranging issues. I am somewhat concerned that we may be giving...

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

Denis O'Donovan: I must say a few words in support of Senator McCarthy's amendment. While I accept that Deputies and Senators should not serve on the boards of port companies, I must agree with the previous speakers that many local authority members have served well on such boards. Most harbour boards are made up in the same manner and the situation at Bantry port company is replicated throughout the...

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

Denis O'Donovan: The existing composition of the boards, such as in Bantry, is not costing the Department one cent. We are a profit making organisation. This year the hope is to make a profit of approximately €250,000. There is a harbour master under the guidance of Cork and a full-time secretary. They are paid and spend money on various projects. Where will we end up after all this? It is something I...

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

Denis O'Donovan: It is a horse of a different colour but we can move on.

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

Denis O'Donovan: This section proposes to reduce the number of directors in a port company from 12 to eight. If the Bantry Harbour Commissioners are to be scrapped and its control transferred to the Cork Port Authority, then contracting the number of directors to eight will only make matters worse. Behind the scenes, we have been told that the Bantry Harbour Commissioners would be fortunate to get one...

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

Denis O'Donovan: Perhaps this is a weasel question to the Minister of State and if he does not have an answer, he might respond to me on Report Stage. We should be allowed know the composition of the new eight-person boards. Will the trade union movement have a representative? The Minister may appoint one. What will be this new eight-person line-up? Has the Minister of State any idea who they will be? I...

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

Denis O'Donovan: Thank God they have no ports.

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

Denis O'Donovan: I am not sure if they were bright sparks.

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

Denis O'Donovan: On section 9——

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

Denis O'Donovan: Yes, on the power to borrow and written consent. Am I on the wrong section?

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

Denis O'Donovan: Is that in regard to the power to borrow? I will pass on that one.

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

Denis O'Donovan: Yes.

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

Denis O'Donovan: The question of interpretation has interested me since my time in the legal profession studying law many years ago and it sometimes baffles me, whether it is written or otherwise. I understand Senator Cummins's point and the directions of the Minister of State. There is an old Latin maxim, inclusio unius, exclusio alterius- by including one we exclude the other. It would be a belt and...

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

Denis O'Donovan: It is difficult to blind the Minister.

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

Denis O'Donovan: I will be brief. On the power of borrowing and providing more flexibility to port companies, we are talking about the big commercial port companies. What is the merit of this section? Does it envisage that port companies would borrow, possibly beyond what they can afford to repay, particularly in these difficult times of contracting economies, recessions etc.? For example, if Shannon...

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

Denis O'Donovan: There is no doubt there is huge merit in any commercial port company being obliged to submit a report to the Minister within a reasonable period. It is envisaged that, if the legislation is passed, there will be a major contraction in the number of commercial ports to perhaps six or seven. Will the reports to which the amendment refers be laid before both Houses for scrutiny and will they...

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

Denis O'Donovan: Are they published in the Iris Oifigiúil?

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

Denis O'Donovan: Senator Cummins touched on an extremely important issue. If he is not in a position to do so now, perhaps the Minister of State will indicate on Report Stage whether part-time employees will be included in this regard. I am aware from what happens in Kinsale that the work of stevedores is extremely seasonal in nature. Two or three ships might enter the port in the same week and people...

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

Denis O'Donovan: Time flies. Progress reported; Committee to sit again.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Denis O'Donovan: I rise to raise two matters. Moving away from the budget debate, I ask the Leader to invite to this House the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the current status of the restoration of the Cork-Swansea ferry.