Results 21,021-21,040 of 21,057 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: We have lined people up from an education point of view, but it appears we will not have the required telecommunications infrastructure or the investment that is needed to help start-up companies. I am glad that Enterprise Ireland and InterTrade Ireland, along with a number of start-up e-business and software development companies, are going to Silicon Valley this week or next to search for...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme (14 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: I refer to the proposed decentralisation to Mallow of Fáilte Ireland. I was once an employee of Fáilte Ireland and I seek clarification for my former colleagues who want to know where they stand in respect of the decision, drawn up on the back of a packet of John Player Blue, to move them to Mallow. Will the Minister proceed with this decision? Staff are in limbo at present and need to...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: I join Senator MacSharry in welcoming Rally Ireland and the WRC to Sligo. This event, which will be held over the next few days, will be fantastic. It will bring a significant number of visitors to one of the weaker tourism areas in the State, according to the regional breakdown of tourism statistics. However, this event provides an opportunity to analyse the value of international...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: This is the third or fourth consecutive week in which I have sought a debate on tourism. I wonder if the Leader can provide an update on the matter in light of the decline in British tourist numbers, the scandalous decision to deregulate self-catering accommodation, which will affect regional tourism, and issues of access. This House has debated the decision made by Aer Lingus and the...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to discuss the forthcoming budget. I wish to consider the ongoing budgetary assessments and then refer to specific areas the Minister may consider addressing in his response. I welcome the Minister's new approach to the budgetary process as it will bring about more transparency. This year is unique in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Alan Kelly: This is the third time I have asked the Leader to invite the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to the House to address a number of issues. The importance of e-business to tourism is underestimated. I read today that 64% of people book all their travel on-line. I am concerned that the funding given to and administered by our multiple agencies is insufficient to maintain competitiveness...

Seanad: Ambulance Service (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Devins, to the House. All emergency services should be given our fullest support. I am concerned, however, that inadequate resources are being allocated to the ambulance service. In recent weeks, several persons working in the ambulance service have contacted me to raise their concerns in this regard. Since the imposition of an embargo on the...

Seanad: Ambulance Service (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I apologise, I did not realise.

Seanad: Ambulance Service (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I have some short questions and I thank the Minister of State for his response. Are the 37 staff being offered employment advanced paramedics or EMTs? Is there any information on the training programme in place, such as the numbers involved? Is there any information on the number of ambulances being purchased? Are they to go to areas replacing two-stretcher or one-stretcher ambulances?

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: Yes, that is the way it reads.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: What about the ordinary garda?

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: The motivation behind this section of the Bill should be examined. For the information of Members on the other side of the House, last week I examined the Bill in detail, particularly with regard to sub-prime mortgages. While it is a technical Bill, those of us on this side of the House are well capable of examining such technical Bills. I question the inclusion of section 16 and the reason...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: Exactly.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: There are many anomalies. The key question is whether they will all be dealt with. We need to know the timeline for the Bill. On the representations made to the Department of Finance, while I accept the bone fides that it was done through Department of Finance officials rather than through the Minister, we need to know how long the Department of Finance had for drafting this and at what...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I concur with the sentiments of the previous speakers regarding this matter. At the weekend, through some excellent journalism, we became aware of further information pertaining to section 16 of this Bill. I agree with Senators Twomey and O'Malley that this is no way to conduct our business. Adding a large amount of so-called bits and pieces to Bills allows for circumstances such as this...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is the first time we have had an opportunity to speak on finance related issues. The Labour Party welcomes this Bill and will facilitate its passage through the House. At first glance, it seems to be very technical, but is necessary as it aims to transpose the markets and financial instruments directive into Irish law. I can see why there...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism should attend the House to discuss tourism policy. We underestimate the value of tourism as a driver of economic growth and I have a number of concerns which need to be addressed in this regard. In particular, a recent analysis has shown that in the first six months of this year the number of visitors from Britain dropped. This is an important...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: I wish to raise two issues. I call on the Minister for Transport to come into the House — I know we had a discussion on Shannon last week — to discuss overall access and aviation policy. We are heading into the most important time of the year for tourism because it is the planning season. We need to discuss how people will get into this country. The industry is concerned in regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Alan Kelly: Yes.