Results 2,141-2,160 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (15 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 80: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the widely held view that the chosen location for the proposed new children's hospital at the Mater is a cramped and inaccessible site; if she will confirm that she will now have the decision reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29054/07]

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (15 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to statements circulating in Tallaght that the children's hospital in Tallaght is to close; the position regarding the whole issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29150/07]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (15 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will give assurances to cancer patients in the Tallaght Hospital catchment area regarding services following the recent announcements by the Health Service Executive in respect of those cancer services; the position regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29151/07]

Child Care: Motion (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Child Care: Motion (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am being tolerant, but the Deputy should not repeat herself.

Child Care: Motion (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: It is important that we understand the challenge. If we are making progress with the national roads, there is a strong case to be made for the Department to consider a five year or ten year framework in which local authorities, particularly South Dublin County Council, could know that they will get a certain amount of money to allow them to deal with the non-national roads challenge in an...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I have kept to the point. I listen carefully to the Opposition spokespersons and I follow their example on what one can include in the debate.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: The Minister for Transport is a busy man.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: He will be a busy man looking at this agenda.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: He has. I want to put pressure on him to ensure everything is done to deliver the Luas extension through the west Tallaght estates to Saggart as quickly as possible. It is relevant in discussing a Bill such as this that we be allowed to say that.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am not afraid to stand up for my community. There is sometimes a myth that Government backbenchers are afraid to challenge Ministers. This is not true.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I was always happy to make the point, and I will continue to do so. Before the general election somebody told me I would make a good Opposition spokesperson. However I did not want to join the Opposition because I would have to complain about everything. I am happy to represent my community in a constructive way and try to achieve for it. The Bill provides for an amendment of the Local...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I did not set them up and we must deal with the existing systems. It frustrates me when I table Dáil questions and the Ceann Comhairle's office has to tell us the Minister does not have responsibility in these matters. A process must be found to deal with our concerns and issues. There have recently been issues on road development, road safety and driver testing on which it was legitimate...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: In any debate we are entitled to make the points we want to make and I look forward to all of us doing that. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his courtesy in allowing me to mention some of the matters I raised. I am looking forward to further debate and I will certainly be listening to colleagues from all sides. I look forward to seeing the Minister in Tallaght on Friday.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important business. We should welcome the publication of the Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007, the main feature of which is to provide for necessary legislative amendments of a technical nature to facilitate the transfer of non-national roads and the NVDF to the remit of the Minister for Transport. The Bill is...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: He told me that I was a good choice and I made a strong contribution, as one would expect.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: That was the approximate time at which Deputy Naughten's party wanted me to run for it. I must have been doing something right.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: It is important to make these points. While not being critical of the Minister, there is work to be done in terms of devolution of responsibility to local authorities. The debate about too much authority and power being vested in county managers will continue for some time. I am glad that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is present. I applaud the work he has done since the formation of the...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I was going to mention it and the Minister is welcome to use it. Thank God for it. The Minister has been to Tallaght, but he will see on Friday that it is a different place from the one to which I moved years ago. It is a vibrant city in everything but name. The Minister has opinions on whether Tallaght should be a city, but he and I must agree to disagree on that fundamental point during...