Results 2,541-2,560 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Disabled Drivers. (2 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House and thank Senator Ulick Burke for sharing time with me to allow me to support him on this issue. I could name people who are close friends both of mine and the Minister for State who, fortunately for them, are on the right side of the border with Offaly. These people have a difficulty with this legislation and the lack of facility...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Noel Coonan: I add my voice in support of the Civil Partnership Bill 2004, proposed by Senator Norris, and avail of the opportunity to second Senator Ross's proposal. We need to resolve this issue because there is a huge degree of scepticism out there in regard to politics and the role of this House. We have heard about Seanad reform. If we make this House irrelevant, we must take responsibility for that....

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: I am most disappointed with the response of the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, to the motion. Everything that is in her script I have already read, either in the local or the daily papers and certainly in the Irish Farmers' Journal. She refused to answer the pressing questions as to whether she knew about or had discussions about the closure or was given reasons for it....

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: This is a matter of national importance and it should be treated that way. I am disappointed that the Government parties did not agree with our motion. It is basically the same motion as theirs, but we are calling for the decision to be reversed until the EU proposals are sorted out. We should wait and see what comes from the negotiations. Speaker after speaker on the Government side agreed...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: It is still recovering.

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion. (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: I move: That Seanad Éireann acknowledges the tremendous contribution by the Irish sugar beet industry to the economic and social development of rural Ireland since 1926 and recognises the ongoing importance of the industry to Irish farming: —regrets the recent announcement by Greencore plc to cease sugar production at the Carlow plant from March 2005 and calls on the company to reverse...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion. (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: We want to see the beast in her. We want her to take action and show her steel. It is time she represented the farmers, the beet growers and the workers of this country by taking on the big companies which put their own interests and gains before the interests and well being of the country and its farming community.

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion. (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Coonan: In that event, the Government had better sack the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Noel Coonan: I support my colleague, Senator Finucane, on the issue of the McCabe murderers. In my political career to date I have never seen such an outpouring of horror and revulsion from members of the Garda community. The House will be aware I come from Templemore. They are aghast at this U-turn by the Taoiseach. Their families and the community in general are horrified. It is said that Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: I, too, seek a debate on decentralisation. Today is also Thanksgiving Day. This is some way to give thanks to the people of Tipperary, who have been left out. Will the Leader also correct the record of the House? Senator Hanafin blames Mr. Phil Flynn and the trade unions and Senator Leyden blames Fine Gael but there is no reason that decentralisation should not take place to Thurles. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: Concentrate on Tipperary town.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: Senator Leyden.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: I wish to raise two issues of national importance which will have an impact on rural communities. First, will the Leader contact the director of the RTE Authority regarding its coverage of the story involving variant CJD. Unfortunately, the first case of a human contracting the disease in this country has been confirmed. RTE appears to be hell bent on doing maximum damage to the agricultural...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: The Taoiseach's job is next.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. She is certainly keeping us busy.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2004)

Noel Coonan: She has introduced two Bills in less than two months and she is correct that this Bill is long and detailed. I welcome the use of the phrase "Veterinary Practice" in the title of the Bill, instead of "Veterinary Surgeons", as used in the titles of previous Bills. This recognises the expanding nature of the profession and those who are employed in this area. I acknowledge the role played by...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Noel Coonan: It was not Roscommon.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Noel Coonan: I support Senator McCarthy and am surprised the Minister is not accepting these amendments. Ministers, by and large, like to give the impression to farmers that it is they who are providing money. If the amendments were made, the Minister would get the credit rather than the Department. From that point of view, I find it surprising the Minister is not in favour.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Noel Coonan: I thank the Minister and her officials for coming to the House and compliment them on the manner in which they dealt with the legislation before us. My regret is that what will be very good legislation could have been great had the Minister accepted our amendments. I remind the Minister that we will watch carefully to ensure she honours the commitments she has given us that the Department...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Noel Coonan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(2) Within 10 days of the commencement of this section, the Minister shall consult with the Minister for Finance as to the feasibility of increasing the threshold amount in subsection (1) to €500.". I welcome the Minister back to the House for the Report Stage debate. I was disappointed that we were not...