Results 2,301-2,320 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Partnership Agreement with the Farming Pillar: Statements (16 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: Unfortunately, many farmers are left without choices.

Seanad: Partnership Agreement with the Farming Pillar: Statements (16 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: They do not have a choice anymore. Over the years, the Government has missed out on a glorious opportunity in terms of bio-fuels. We could have been leaders in the field, but we are playing catch-up. Imagine an incentive of €18 per acre for the production of bio-fuels.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: I support the call for a debate on the issues raised by the incident referred to by Senator Brian Hayes. Such incidents are not confined to the capital but, unfortunately, take place in rural Ireland. We can never underestimate the profound impact such an incident has on the victim and his or her family. The issue deserves both debate and serious action. During the week, Food and Drink...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: Is the Senator suggesting Members are not serious?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: It is close to the Senator's heart.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: It is appropriate that the Deputy Leader is present because I read in The Irish Times yesterday a comment by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the effect that it would be a betrayal of patients to give them inferior service for the sake of keeping local hospitals open. This is an alarming statement for any Minister responsible for health to make. Is she saying she will...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: She is saying that for the sake of keeping them open.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: This matter was highlighted in yesterday's edition of The Irish Times. There is no scaremongering. The Minister said——

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Noel Coonan: More than 10,000 people are waiting for appointments in Cork.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2006)

Noel Coonan: Recently a neighbouring farmer was attending a long-standing appointment with a consultant when his telephone rang. It was an inspector from the Department of Agriculture and Food, announcing he was to visit my neighbour's farm in ten minutes. At such short notice, there was no way the farmer could facilitate the inspection. As a result, he suffered drastic penalties in his farm payments...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Noel Coonan: Following the deaths of two young people, aged 17, in Templemore I support calls for a debate on road safety. Our sympathies go to their families. Not only were the families of the young people who lost their lives devastated but so were those of the other people involved in the accident. A debate is necessary on three issues. It is time road safety was a part of the national and secondary...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Coonan: I support the call for action on SSIAs, as proposed by the leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes. This is another example of penny-pinching policies by the Government. Senator Finucane referred to another example of this yesterday in regard to nursing home subventions, in that it is now the case that 5% of the value of one's home will be regarded as income. I support the call for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Coonan: I support Senator O'Toole in his call for a debate on the telecom regulator. The difficulties facing Smart Telecom have been mentioned in this House this morning and I would like to see other problems included in the debate. Last Saturday week thunder storms in my area caused Perlico customers to lose telephone services. Since then businesses and residences have been unconnected, without...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Coonan: In Senator Leyden's sock.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Coonan: Over the last 24 hours, we have heard about the dig-out and the whip-around. Last night, on my way from this renowned building to the place I stay, which is just across the road, I encountered four people sleeping in doorways. I thought about how serious it was and wondered how the Members of this distinguished House could continue to turn a blind eye to the homeless. The homeless are the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Coonan: The Senator can give whoever he likes a dig-out.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Coonan: I ask the Leader to invite the missing Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House for a debate on farming matters, especially the sugar industry and compensation. We are entering the harvest season, but beet farmers have no crop nor do they have compensation. The Minister must come to the House to address the issue if we are avoid a flight from the land and the addition of sugar beet...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Coonan: She should sit down and listen to them.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Coonan: She was missing all summer.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2006)

Noel Coonan: I wish to broaden the discussion on concerns raised by Senators about the welfare of Irish children. As of next week, thousands of children from Belarus will come here to stay with Irish families. I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs or at least one of those Ministers to discuss the uncaring attitude adopted by the...