Results 1-20 of 1,500 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:John Paul Phelan

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak about bank restructuring. I listened to most of the debate this morning and I want to raise a couple of issues. This is a very serious discussion and I share much of the sentiment shared by Members on all sides of the House. There is a sense of disgust which the general public and Members have that the State has been forced into a position of...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

John Paul Phelan: The Deputy is deliberately misquoting.

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Apr 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I congratulate my constituency colleague and friend, Deputy Phil Hogan, on his appointment as Minister and wish him well in his task. It is one of the busier Departments and he has responsibility for many functions which he is well capable of fulfilling. I wish him and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Willie Penrose, the best of luck. Deputy Kevin Humphreys spoke about Deputy...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (12 May 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (12 May 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the opportunity to support the jobs initiative announced on Tuesday by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. Following the Minister's speech I was sitting at the back of Chamber beside a Fianna Fáil Member, who shall remain unknown, who said to me: "Why didn't we do that? Why didn't we implement some of the initiatives announced by the Minister?" I am not surprised that the...

Dáil Reform: Statements (2 Jun 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Deputy Griffin for sharing his time. Having only been a Member of this House for a few weeks, it may seem a bit cheeky to be talking about Dáil reform. However, the procedures that operate in this House are in need of radical overhaul and I look forward to the new Government doing so. There are three levels of reform that I would like to see introduced, namely, reform of the...

Workers' Remuneration: Motion (21 Jun 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I support the amendment proposed by the Minister, Deputy Bruton. I echo much of what the previous speaker said. I wish to deal with the reality on the ground. I hold a candle not for any vested interests but for people whom I know and went to school and college with, many of whom now live in different corners of the world owing to our economic situation and others who live in Kilkenny,...

Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) (No.2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I concur with many of the sentiments expressed by Deputy Heydon on the important role of credit unions. They have a role to play in economic recovery and the provision of small loans to individuals. It is important that whatever legislation is introduced would not have an adverse effect on the important role credit unions have played and can play in our economy in the future. I am glad to...

Programme for Government (5 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad the Deputy was impressed.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (5 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: As previous speakers said, this legislation deals with a small number of areas. Most of the Bill is uncontroversial. I agree with Deputy Doherty and others who praised the proposal to ensure by-elections will be held within six months. However, I would go further. Deputy Mattie McGrath was correct when he spoke about the possibility of not having by-elections. We do not use by-elections...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I spoke earlier about the lack of rules for the holding of by-elections, which is the first of this Bill's three parts. The Minister's proposed changes in this area are not controversial. The second part of the Bill provides for reductions in the spending limits for candidates who contest presidential elections, a proposal which will enjoy widespread support in this House. One of the more...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I believe the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, is arriving.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: At a time when an embargo is being imposed on public sector recruitment and with record levels of unemployment, it is appropriate to restructure significantly the numbers involved in the Oireachtas. The Minister's efforts in that direction are to be welcomed and I would support further radical reform in this area. People have spoken about the need to change and possibly expand constituency...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Nonsense.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I feel a sense of déjÀ vu. I agree with Deputy Keaveney's comments that the Bill is rather similar to one introduced in 2009. I was Fine Gael's enterprise spokesman in the Seanad when it discussed Second Stage of similar legislation, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009, which was agreed by all parties in both Houses. For...

Employment and National Internship Scheme: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Deputy Mitchell O'Connor for sharing a couple of minutes with me. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the contents of the motion. As a representative from the south east, where the recent announcement of TalkTalk's closure is devastating and will have a knock on effect for the region, I urge the Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills to...

Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I wish to make a few points on the Bill, but because some of them have already been made, I will not dwell on them too much. Like other contributors, I also wish to support the Bill. It is the first time I have spoken in the Dáil when there has not been a single Opposition Member present, but I suppose they are supporting this legislation too. I agree completely with what Deputy Anthony...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on the Bill. This is the first time I have spoken on tourism as a Member of the House and I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, the very best in his role. He is doing a very good job. I also wish the very best to the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. As previous speakers mentioned, the tourism industry is vital to our economic recovery. The...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Present and correct.

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity to take part in this discussion. The points I want to make echo those made by the Minister, Deputy Coveney. This discussion is not about the sale of parts of State assets, rather it is about changing the different companies and businesses in which the State is involved and realising some of the value that currently exists within them and setting up new...