Results 3,201-3,220 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Liam Twomey: We should ask the new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to talk about the findings in the Morris report which are absolutely incredible. It is well worth the time of any Member of this House to read them. For the sake of the good gardaí we must discuss the report in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Liam Twomey: Was Senator White there with him?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Liam Twomey: With the eyes of 500 million Europeans upon us, the only disaster likely to befall us on 12 June would be if we brought the electronic voting machines out of storage. They are best left alone and we should stick to pen and paper for the referendum. Senator O'Donovan has taken a consistent and correct position on an important issue on which there is cross-party agreement, namely, fisheries....

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: I was around when the Freedom of Information Bill went through Dáil Éireann in 2003 and I do not recall many concessions being made to the Opposition. There was plenty of discussion but very few Opposition amendments or views were taken on board. The Government had just been through a series of embarrassing situations due to information released through the Freedom of Information Act and...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: We should be grown up about this treaty. There is no need to call anybody on the "No" side of the campaign a "loo-la" or anything else. I do not really give a damn whether the rest of the member states ratify the treaty through their parliaments or through referendums. We always hold a referendum; that is how we do things in Ireland. We will accept the will of the people in the...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Senator Ormonde should hear me through. She might learn a little.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Every time there is a problem with a local issue, one is told it is caused by Dublin. When there have been national problems, Ministers, including those from the Fianna Fáil Party, have been heard to say, "Well, that is Europe for you." They have been saying it for 30 years. To some degree they have contributed to a feeling among a certain number of people that Europe is a negative thing....

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: With regard to Senator Hanafin's comments, both bodies were established and their boards appointed by Ministers. As for the Irish Medical Council, half its members are appointed by the Government and the other half elected by doctors. It has nothing to do with statistics. It is the Government's job. There is more hypocrisy in the House today. The only consistency shown by the other side...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: The Government should do something about it instead of washing its own hands.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Last week I raised the issue of the legal protection of embryos in this country. We are in an unbelievable position in this country with regard to embryonic stem cell research in that there is no legal protection for embryos. This is a medical issue which relates to in vitro fertilisation, IVF. There is no legal protection for mothers who wish to go through IVF to conceive. That is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: There are ethical problems with IVF, pre-implantation genetic testing and embryonic stem cell research but there is no legislation governing any of these areas. A person could conduct embryonic stem cell research in this country with no legal obligations whatsoever, except if the person is a doctor and thereby subject to the ethical rules of the Medical Council.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Was Senator White listening?

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Parliamentary privilege is an excellent privilege. It allows us to speak in the House without fear or favour. In the heat of the moment, we can often overstep the line but to maintain respect for our democracy, when the Cathaoirleach gives a direction to a Member of this House, it should be taken on board. I would take such direction on board. I have often made very strong remarks, both...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: It is about respect for the House and respect for democracy. It is about arrogance from being in power for so long.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: That is what Senators must bear in mind. It is a disgrace to see such disregard for democracy and the reasons we are all here in the first place.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Government Senators do not know much about democracy though.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Many professions in this country, including the medical profession, pharmacists, nurses and so forth, have seen the status of their professional bodies change in the past two years. They are no longer self-regulated but are regulated by lay majorities. It is interesting that the legislation prepared by the Government on the creation of a legal ombudsman does not seek to make any change to...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: On a point of order, will the debate on the Lisbon treaty conclude or adjourn at 12.30 p.m.?

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Could I ask a question?

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Liam Twomey: Will the Minister return to the House at some stage to discuss the reduction in service throughout the country of which each individual has been made aware? I am aware of significant reductions in service in County Wexford. I am sure they must be mirrored in other parts of the country.