Results 261-280 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the delegates for their presentation and their attendance on such a sunny Friday afternoon. The Minister appeared before the joint committee last Wednesday. He has been clear and emphatic that he has almost a disregard for national targets. He is kicking to touch and saying it is the business of the European Union. In a way, it puts the committee's work at a significant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the Minister. In the context of political reform and the policy development role of this committee, I applaud him for engaging with us and giving us a sense of the major challenge we face in the context of addressing the matter to which the proposed legislation relates and in terms of interacting with the various stakeholders. I can only speak on my own behalf but the recent...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the Senator for that advice. There is a series of mixed messages around parliamentary democracy reform. The Constitutional Convention is a very valuable and important initiative and Seanad reform should be part of that in its own time. I wanted to include a provision in the Bill that if the referendum was rejected, the Constitutional Convention should consider Seanad reform and...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I am speaking to the section, and I thank the Cathaoirleach for defining that for me. It is regrettable that the option of reform was not given an opportunity to be decided by citizens. I am in a quandary in that respect. I disagree wholeheartedly with Fianna Fáil's argument and voting in favour of the Bill does not mean I am in favour of abolishing the Seanad or that I do not favour a...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: It would be very attractive to fall into the slipstream of the wonderful filibustering of Fianna Fáil. It is democracy in action and it is wonderful to see how we are still stuck on section 1 after a couple of hours debating it. They all made Second Stage speeches but I will not fall into that trap.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I will keep my contribution very short.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: No curtailment but encouragement. I wish to make a few points arising from the debate so far on section 1. I resent the question being put to us by the Taoiseach, which is about retention or abolition. It is disingenuous and it is also highly dysfunctional because it does not allow debate. I listened to Senators David Norris and Ned O'Sullivan and I am in a quandary not about whether the...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: It does not. Does it mean I oppose the Seanad, or Seanad reform? The problem is the issue of trust, in particular the trust of the Taoiseach and the Minister in not enabling the citizens to form their own view. We have been given a very narrow choice, which really is not a choice at all. It is highly disingenuous and insulting to citizens. I am a proud Member of Seanad Éireann and I...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: Maybe Senator David Norris might have a view on that because he might want to be cast in the lead role.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: The Minister of State might say so but I could not possibly comment. I was very impressed by the Leader's elegant and eloquent defence of the Seanad the other day within millimetres of his boss, the Taoiseach. I urge other Members to read the Leader's remarks because they were very smart and intelligent. I suspect I know how he will vote if this Bill is passed and the question is put before...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: Does Professor Bates disagree with the IPCC's view of that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: It stated that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: What are Professor Bates's views on agriculture?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank Professor Bates for his presentation. He has stated climate change is not as rapid as was predicted, while the IPCC’s fourth assessment stated developed countries should reduce emissions by 80% to 95% by 2050. Based on his evidential work on climate change, is Professor Bates saying these targets should be reduced? Should it be done on an effort-sharing EU basis, with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank An Taisce for its commendable work on green schools and green homes. It is a great example of leadership. I have some questions about effort-sharing which used to be called burden-sharing. I am learning that the word "effort" is a new word for "burden". The sectoral challenge is one of the challenges facing this community and the Minister. I will not even mention external...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: Economic growth must be a part of that driver.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: What is An Taisce's view on binding targets with effort-sharing within certain sectors included?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: A representative organisation of employers was here last Friday and said targets were not the right way to go, that there was a confusion or an issue where the EU had particular targets and that to look for national targets was contradictory. How would Mr. Stevenson respond to that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: I did not receive the written submission. I looked for it earlier. None of us got it. I do not want to embarrass Mr. Stevenson.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2013)

Fiach MacConghail: We appreciate Mr. Stevenson coming here at his own expense. This is an important Bill we must grapple with. Perhaps we have final mover advantage in terms of learning about the political and operational difficulties Scotland had. Am I correct in thinking Mr. Stevenson steered the equivalent Bill through the Scottish Parliament as Minister?