Results 32,701-32,720 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Internet Filtering Systems. (22 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for taking this Adjournment matter. It relates to Government thinking on dealing with the issue of illegal file sharing across the Internet. There was some publicity about that in recent weeks in regard to a freedom of information request to the Government through an organisation called Digital Rights Ireland. It was looking to establish Government policy on how it...

Seanad: Internet Filtering Systems. (22 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Everyone is supportive of any measure that can be taken to deal with the evil of child pornography and its distribution on the Internet. The consequences of a course of action that could be taken may be more far-reaching and profound than is understood. The response of the Minister of State concerns the discussions taking place - referred to in the first part of my submission - but does not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I agree with Senator Quinn's call for a debate on the parts of the economy which are doing well. In recent weeks, I visited companies in my locality which work in digital media and arts. Ireland has companies which are world-leading in these areas and which show the agility, spirit and degree of adventure to which we aspire our wider economy to share. These companies are not recognised on...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I have one question for the Minister. The original Bill referred to the price which a willing and not-anxious tenant would be seeking to pay. The amendment the Minister has before the House removes that description from the Bill. Will he say why that is the case? It appears to me that to say somebody was willing but not anxious would put a framework in place within which a proper price...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: The Minister has provided that the membership of the authority will include persons who represent the providers of property services. One of the welcome dimensions of the Bill is that it seeks to rebalance matters and give priority to people who receive property services or are clients of property service providers. Will the Minister consider including in the authority not only people who...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: The original section of the Bill was not that silent about the membership of the authority. It made clear those people would have knowledge or experience in matters relevant to functions of the authority and referred to the need for balance. I am concerned the amendment specifies in greater detail who these people should be. The only specific reference in the amendment is to...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Senator Bacik for her support on that point. The Minister in his response referred to the point about the number of three. This was not the substantive point I was looking to make and Senator Bacik has pointed out a flaw. I suggest any amendment of this section should be more specific about the people who should be members of the authority. Why is the amendment only dealing with...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I was not suggesting the Minister choose a man or woman off the street. I am sure he knows that is not the point I was making. I was merely making the observation, which is a valid and pertinent one given the industry in question, that there is a need to ensure consumer interests are advocated on the board of the authority. The amendment before us could be regressive in stipulating...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (21 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: For how long does the Minister anticipate these transitional provisions will need to be in place?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: That is outrageous.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Was the Senator at the meeting?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I support Senator Buttimer's call for a debate on social partnership. It is correct and appropriate that union members and their executive officers will have an opportunity to understand, speak about and vote on the arrangement as quickly as possible. A clear fault in previous arrangements was that no role for the Oireachtas was provided for. It is remiss that many of the votes will take...

Seanad: Insurance Industry: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister of State. I will make two points and ask a number of questions. If the Minister of State is unable to provide answers, I ask him to revert to me later. The message the Seanad wants to send out in the matter before us is that the employment provided by the Quinn Group and its contribution to the national economy must be maintained. In so far as it is legally...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: So much happened yesterday of such scale that, at times, it is quite difficult for us to comprehend the nature of what is happening to our country. Two points that stood out yesterday have to be emphasised on the Order of Business. The effect of the decisions the Government took yesterday will be to double the national debt. As a consequence of all the moves that are being taken, some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Why are Anglo Irish Bank's bondholders not being allowed to suffer the same losses as the bondholders in Independent News and Media, for example, or the bondholders in Waterford Wedgwood?

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: The answer is quite clear. In the run up to yesterday's announcement, many of us suspected that the Government was being run for the benefit of insiders. We now know beyond any doubt that this is the case.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: The welfare and benefit of our country is not being given the same priority as the welfare and benefit of professional investors. Their interests and their profitability is being put ahead of the interests and profitability of our country. Many commentators said yesterday that this whole affair is a tragedy. On my way to the House, I read a definition of "tragedy" in today's Financial...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: So it is somebody else's responsibility.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: That is a bit rich.