Results 1-20 of 2,382 for speaker:Damien English in 'Dáil debates'

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: What is the Government afraid of?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: On a point of order, in the absence of reform——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: May I make mine?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: I take it the Ceann Comhairle's judgment on a Standing Order is implemented here. If the Ceann Comhairle thought last week, as we believe he did, that Deputy Deasy was asking a fair question, what could he have done about it? Could he have made the Minister of State answer the question properly?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: The point of order is——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Damien English: It is a fair question.

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Feb 2004)

Damien English: Deputy Devins stated that nobody likes paying tax, but we have to pay it to fund government. People are browned off paying additional tax to fund this Government. Nobody minds paying his fair share, if he sees results. It is not that long ago since I sat across the floor from this Minister and spoke about services on the ground. People are not seeing results on the ground and that is why they...

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: I wish to share time with Deputy Gay Mitchell.

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: I am glad to have an opportunity to comment on the Bill, which I welcome. There is little wrong with the legislation but we cannot pat ourselves on the back in this respect because it is not introducing many new measures — it is more like window dressing. While the Bill tidies up matters, there are areas for improvement and we could do much more, as I am sure the Minister of State would...

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: I welcome the Bill, which aims to improve maternity protection for employees. A large number of women contribute to our economy and it is only fair that their employment should be protected while taking time off to have children. Many women feel under pressure in this respect and, as the Minister of State said, it is difficult for parents to balance family life with a job. It is becoming...

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: Recently, I was speaking with Deputy Enright, the other baby in the Fine Gael crèche, on how sitting hours affect rural-based Deputies. It is said that the only crèche in the House for us youngsters is the Fine Gael Party. It is difficult for rural-based Deputies if House sittings increase to five days per week. The Dáil could sit six days a week and I would not be affected as I live in...

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: He is.

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: That happened to my mother.

Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Feb 2004)

Damien English: It was clearer in the one before. Perhaps I am wrong.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Damien English: How much abuse?

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Damien English: First, I will comment on Deputy Tim O'Malley's contribution. The Government is missing the point. Everybody agrees we should ensure there is no room for abuse of our citizenship laws. However, this is a bigger issue and is not as simple as the Minister of State suggests. Whereas the referendum on the one line amendment is a simple "yes" or "no" answer, the topic of immigration, citizenship...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Damien English: On all sides. Members have been acting like children; nobody wants to sit down, discuss it properly and listen to the other side. The Minister turned his face away when he was being informed by Deputy Rabbitte of what people are saying about non-nationals. He did not believe Deputy Rabbitte. Perhaps people do not tell Ministers, out of respect for their office, how they feel about...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Damien English: He looked for it because he likes that. However, that is not the way to deal with this emotive issue. This will cause serious problems and we will not be able to solve them. The problems associated with citizenship and non-nationals are massive but we do not appear to care. We seem to think we can block gaps here and there and make it sound good but we do not really care about the nitty...

Designated Areas. (5 Oct 2004)

Damien English: Question 149: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has proposals to extend the CLÁR area, especially in the Border region in which areas have clearly suffered serious depopulation but are not adjacent to existing CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/04]

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (12 Oct 2004)

Damien English: I wish the Minister of State well in his new portfolio and hope it goes well for him. He will certainly have plenty to do in this area of justice. I acknowledge the work of the working group on the review and improvement of maternity protection legislation. Most of the recommendations it put forward have been addressed by this Bill. I commend the Government on bringing the Bill forward,...