Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,905 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I second Senator Marc MacSharry's amendment to the Order of Business calling on the Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources to come to the House to discuss the establishment of an expert group. While I welcome the establishment of the expert group, I deplore the decision to omit the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Laois and Offaly from its remit. It is important that...

Seanad: Youth Justice Policy: Statements (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I very much welcome the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to the House. It is the first time I have been in her company since she officially visited Cavan and presided at the presentation of FETAC certificates in Cavan Youthreach for the second year in a row. On behalf of all of the staff and trainees there we are looking forward to having her back for a third time. She also officiated at the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is not right. On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is not what I said.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is an outrageous statement.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: He owes it to the Members of the Oireachtas to answer the questions that have been put to him time and again, and he should not be shoving out the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, and putting him in difficult circumstances. The Minister is fully responsible. Senator O'Neill may not like to hear that the Minister is washing his hands of the matter because he can disappear in a few weeks....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I second the amendment to the Order of Business by my colleague, Senator Thomas Byrne. I call on the HSE to publish its report on the recruitment of consultants. Two weeks ago, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, denied at the Joint Committee on Health and Children that the recruitment of consultants was more difficult at the moment. Since then, he has back-tracked on that...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Leyden without interruption.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Leyden is quite entitled to speak without interruption.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: Please continue. Do not be inviting interruptions.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Leyden without interruption.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Chair will decide what is relevant and irrelevant.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his short contribution on what he described as a very short Bill, which it is. I think the explanatory memorandum is longer than the Bill. In essence, it reduces the number of MEPs elected to represent the Twenty-six Counties from 12 to 11, to which we are totally opposed. This decision was taken at intergovernmental level in June 2013 and the...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I hope the Minister does not get the environment portfolio because his record to date as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has not been a very successful one. I say that to the Minister as the holder of the office; it is not personal as he is someone for whom I have huge regard.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: We will oppose this legislation. I pay tribute to the Clerk of the Seanad, who sat on the Constituency Commission.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I join colleagues in calling for a balanced approach in regard to the proposed banking inquiry. Any such inquiry should include Members from both sides of this House. There is no Member of either House of the Oireachtas who has not commented on what happened with the banks. That reality must not prevent anybody from sitting on the proposed inquiry. As other speakers said, it is difficult...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand today is a very important milestone in the Cathaoirleach's life. On behalf of everybody on this side of the House, I extend to him the very best wishes on his birthday.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I move amendment No. 60: In page 58, line 1, after “matters” to insert “, and the chairperson of such committee will be a member of the relevant Local Enterprise Office”.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: I move amendment No. 63: In page 71, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(7) The chief executive will refer the establishment of all new Local Authority committees to the approval of a full meeting of the council.”.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Diarmuid Wilson: When I spoke on the last occasion, I neglected to welcome the Minister to the House. I wish him well in 2014. I support this amendment. The point has been well made by Senators Ó Domhnaill and Mooney. During Second Stage, the Minister stated there was an agreement between the two associations, the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland and the Association of County and City...