Results 2,001-2,020 of 3,225 for speaker:Paul Connaughton Snr

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 119: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when will she address the difficulties at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if she will ensure a school will remain in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4996/07]

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 317: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway, the parent of a child with autism, does not qualify for the cost of the VRT on the purchase price of a motor vehicle to convey the child to and from the various activities that they have to attend in view of the fact that they are a huge risk in an ordinary car, that normal safety belts do...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I congratulate Deputy Naughten on introducing the Bill, which makes great sense on four or five different fronts. We are not discussing anything that has not been mentioned in the House on several occasions during the past two years. The problem previously was that the Government was not listening. Some of the efforts it has made, however welcome, are not good enough to tilt the balance to...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: It must be recognised that there are no guaranteed outlets. There are 9 million acres of relatively good land here. On foot of European Union constraints and restraints of every description, our national herd is declining, there are fewer sheep and cattle and less tillage. As a result, a great deal of land is lying idle. The best land in the entire country has been set aside. In recent...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Some research is being done at Oak Park and a number of other locations but it is only beginning. If the Minister pays the piper, the tune will be called. When 2,500 eminent scientists throughout the world say we have a problem with climate change, we must take it seriously. If it turns out that, because of the way the Government decided to kick-start this process and encourage the...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: That whole area has not been thought out. I made representations recently for two people who are getting involved in the manufacture of wood pellets and discovered there is very little capital for it. I will give way to Deputy Hayes.

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I am delighted to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate. I concur with much of Deputy Fleming's contribution and I do not share the view of many ordinary people who think that because PPP projects are not as transparent as they might be for many reasons, they could not be right. However, they have a role. I sat on the Committee of Public Accounts for years and we discussed this...

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I do not subscribe to that view. Although it is not explicit in the Bill, the provision of an over-arching role to the Minister for Finance of the day would benefit the democratic process. An economy that is going as well as ours and for so many years has many positive aspects. However, other aspects have not keep abreast of play. Numerous references have been made to the inability to...

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Deputy Kenny did not mention that.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Why did the Government not introduce these measures before now?

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: His head is in the sand.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (8 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 13: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the nuclear agreement between India and the United States of America has been discussed by the Nuclear Suppliers' Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3913/07]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3935/07]

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I listened to the Minister of State when he introduced the Bill. If one were to take it at face value, one could say that this is just another step on the road in the legal workings of the European Union and that the Attorney General has examined the Bill. It could be argued that this Bill would be good for ordinary people. It is...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: We did so for many reasons. The objectives at that time were no different from what they are today. We did it because Ireland is an island nation and an exporting nation. There is obviously a limit to what we could do if we were not in cahoots, in co-operation and joined in so many ways — industrially, socially and educationally — with Europe. This was the great dream. I sincerely...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (7 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 189: To ask the Minister for Finance the latest returns he has received in respect of progress in the expenditure profile and the profile in delivery of planned outputs from the various subprogrammes within the National Development Plan 2000-2006; and if he will publish a review of the performance of that plan. [4127/07]

Written Answers — General Medical Services Scheme: General Medical Services Scheme (7 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 265: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason persons over 70 years of age in receipt of medical cards have to pay their family doctor to sign the necessary forms to obtain a driving licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4271/07]

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (7 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 313: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she proposes to introduce REP scheme four; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4268/07]

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (7 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 351: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a plot of bog offered for sale under the new cessation of turf cutting scheme on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4269/07]

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (7 Feb 2007)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Question 352: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when an application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway to have land reclassified from its current special area of conservation status will be decided on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4270/07]