Results 2,001-2,020 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: He wanted us to breach it. He said we should not pay benchmarking, which would be a clear breach of Sustaining Progress. Partnership has served the country well over the years and the Government is committed to honouring its pay commitments, provided the conditions in the agreement are met. We cannot prejudge the outcome of the performance verification process, the first round of which is...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: Due to the consolidation of the progress gained to-date in the voluntary housing area, it is expected there will be a record output of approximately 1,700 units in 2003 and there will be an increase in the number of households that will benefit under the various affordable housing schemes. A number of Senators raised the issue of infrastructure. Despite suggestions to the contrary, investment...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: I welcome the opportunity to address the House this afternoon on the mid-term evaluation of the national development plan published by the ESRI last week. Before commenting on the ESRI evaluation, I feel it would be useful to recall the objectives and content of the NDP. When the plan was launched in November 1999 there was almost universal support for its objectives and strategies. The...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: I thank Senators for the well-informed and positive contributions to this debate with the exception of Senator Browne who obviously has not seen the plan. It is on the Internet and—

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: It is a mid-term review. We have not begun to build the Waterford road. To sort out Senator Browne's confusion, he should sort out where the road may go in his area. The ESRI plan—

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: It is appropriate to report on what has been already done. The ESRI report is broadly positive about what the plan has achieved. There are some comments about overruns and price increases that cause concern. This gave rise to some Ministers expressing their concerns as they have their own bailiwicks to protect. Some of the reasons for the overruns must be taken into account. However, there...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: As we tend to be parochial in the Houses, I have not had one complaint from landowners in my constituency about this process with the Monasterevin by-pass.

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: They are satisfied that they have received a fair deal from the NRA. Concerns were expressed by Senator Higgins about the BMW region and why it has not caught up with the other regions. The Senator will agree that if we were to improve the infrastructure between Ballyhaunis and Dublin, one could start on the Ballyhaunis side with the first 50 km. of motorway. However, this would not be the...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Tom Parlon: Based on the contributions of Senators, there is acceptance that the overall trend is very positive. Individual recommendations, particularly relating to transport and health infrastructure, need to be considered by Ministers and their Departments. The ESRI is giving the Department of Finance and the Government a clean bill of health and recommends carrying on and keeping a very strict line...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. On my behalf and on behalf of the Government I express sympathy to everyone affected by the recent landslides in north Mayo, as articulated by the Senator. I have had firsthand reports from a number of people there. It was a traumatic experience for everyone and my heart goes out to them. The impact and extent of the damage...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I have had the unfortunate experience of having to oversee two schemes as a result of severe flooding, the most recent of which was in the Drumcondra and County Meath areas for humanitarian aid.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: That matter has to be decided. The Red Cross Society has been contacted today. It will carry out a preliminary assessment, as a result of which we will have to seek a Vote. Whereas thousands of houses were affected by the previous flooding incidents, the one positive element of this case is that we are talking about approximately 40 houses. The scale of the damage is in our favour. In terms...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: The Red Cross Society will evaluate each individual case. It is more likely that people were uninsured. I am sure it will take into account if an individual family has everything insured and the insurance is coming through. Obviously, that will alleviate the hardship. Clearly there will be more hardship and calls for more support in a situation where there is no insurance.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concessions. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I will not be delivering the same speech as the Minister delivered in 1996 because, I understand, there have been quite a number of changes since. This scheme, which originated in 1968, provides valuable tax concessions for disabled drivers and disabled passengers. Over time the benefits were extended and the scheme was put on a statutory basis. The scheme is open to persons, drivers and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concessions. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I remind the Senator again that the scheme has increased in cost from €6.5 million to €35 million. Almost 8,500 people have benefited and I am sure they appreciate the substantial relief that is there. The report is almost ready and I am sure it will be made available. Decisions will be taken by the Minister for Finance within the resources available.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Castlebar Military Barracks. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I welcome the opportunity to outline on behalf of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, the position with regard to Castlebar barracks. The Minister is abroad on official business and regrets that he is not able to be present this evening to deal with this Adjournment matter. The main usage of Castlebar barracks in previous years was for the annual summer training camps for members...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Castlebar Military Barracks. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Parlon: I cannot be specific on that point. Clearly, there has been considerable investment in the barracks already. It would appear to make little sense not to complete the job. I will find out the information and ask the Minister for Defence to pass it on to the Senator.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Tom Parlon: We have ploughed much of this ground before. It is necessary to set out the formal process for the appointment of the deputy chairperson, and the Bill simply states the appointment is to be made in writing by the chairperson of the commission. We know who that will be. I know it has been and surely will be for a while the subject of much debate as to who the deputy chairperson should be and...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Tom Parlon: It was with some trepidation that I entered the House today, having been reminded yesterday by the Leader of my privileged, guest status here. The Leader and other Senators made strong overtures to me on this proposal and sought an instant and positive response. I came to the House with one hand as long as the other which exacerbated my trepidation as did calls from Senators to do the right...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Tom Parlon: Neither the Minister nor I could dismiss the case put to us without giving it serious consideration and nor did we feel comfortable about some of the charges implicitly made during yesterday's proceedings, when we were alleged to have either demeaned or affronted a House of the Oireachtas. This accusation left me uneasy and I chose not to respond to it immediately. It was also suggested that...