Results 161-180 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: "Rural proofing" is the new buzzword of the Greens.

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Another quango for the Minister.

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister to the House to debate this very important topic. I was among the first of many Senators who looked for this debate and have been looking for it for quite some time. I am impressed by the passion of Senator McDonald for the rural area, something I could hear in her speech. I have a similar passion. We must acknowledge the value and contribution people in rural areas...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister's offer to debate the various issues in the House on another occasion. Rural development is such a broad area that one cannot deal with it in one debate. I thank the Minister for his offer. We welcome the increase of €425 million in funding for rural development under the Leader programme. What is the timescale for tendering from the various Leader groups around...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Some farmers are still comfortable in Wellington boots.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, on his recent appointment and thank him for attending the House to take this Adjournment matter. We had a good debate in the House earlier on rural development with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. We discussed many aspects of the lack of services in rural areas. I refer to the lack of adequate...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I wish to raise a matter of serious concern not only for Waterford but for the region and the nation, namely, the predicament of Waterford Crystal. As many people are probably aware, 500 jobs are at stake in that company which has an iconic brand, not only for Waterford but for Ireland. This is a flagship company that has benefited our economy for many generations. Generations of taxpayers...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Cathaoirleach for that.

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 30 (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: As I outlined earlier, the predicament in which Waterford Crystal finds itself is a matter of important and national significance. As we all know this company has been a major plank for the economy of the southeast and Waterford city. We need to debate not alone the issue of manufacturing in Waterford but of competitiveness in Ireland in general. Waterford Crystal continued to export goods...

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 30 (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I ask that the House be adjourned to discuss a specific and important matter of public interest which has arisen suddenly, namely, the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to discuss the implications of the Government's decision not to underwrite a €39 million loan for Waterford Crystal and to make a statement to the House on the matter. This is an issue...

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 30 (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: On a point of order, is it not the case — I am a relatively new Member of the Seanad — that if five Senators support the motion it may be discussed?

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 30 (21 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Thank you.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Yesterday, I raised the issue of Waterford Crystal and the predicament in which it finds itself. I thank the Cathaoirleach for making facility for an Adjournment Debate on it today. I also called yesterday for a debate and called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to attend the House to discuss this issue which I and many around the House believe to be an...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator is not a GP. Were it not for GPs, we would have no health service in this country. The Senator should not criticise GPs.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator is hiding behind the HSE.

Seanad: Job Protection (22 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I intend to share my time with Senator Cummins. I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. Yesterday we raised the predicament in which Waterford Crystal finds itself regarding sustaining its future, which is a matter of national significance. Being from the south of the country the Minister knows well what Waterford Crystal means not only from a manufacturing perspective but also...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I, too, support calls for further debate on the Lisbon treaty. We are now on the run-in to the referendum and in the next few weeks there must be renewed focus on the treaty and its contents. We must encourage balanced and informed debate, not only in this House but everywhere else. I, too, was disappointed to hear the Taoiseach engage in the blame game. He should focus on the ball rather...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Senator Norris suggested a debate on the proposed relocation of the Central Mental Hospital from Dundrum to Thornton Hall and I support this. More than 29 organisations on the front line promoting issues relating to mental health are seriously concerned by this issue. They say patients are not prisoners and I fully support that statement.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Patients, especially those involved in rehabilitation, need support and should not be put in isolated areas like Thornton Hall. A certain stigma is already attached to mental health and mental health patients and we should not exacerbate it by putting such people in a facility adjacent to a prison. That would amount to criminalisation by association and I feel mental health patients need...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister and this debate on the Broadcasting Bill. Like previous speakers, I welcome the general thrust of the Bill. It is a comprehensive and far-reaching measure, and its introduction is timely. I am one of the Members old enough to remember when there was only one television channel in this country, Telefís Éireann. In the south east — Senator Walsh will remember this...