Results 32,741-32,760 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to make three points and will conclude with a question. Many colleagues have made many of the points I wish to cover, and they have done so emphatically. It is important to clear up one aspect. It was not the Opposition Members on this side of the House who caused the panic, worry or hysteria. It was the actions of the Government and its inability to communicate clearly what it had...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——and one against which my party stands and offers an alternative.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The second point I want to put on record relates to the people who will be punished and castigated on foot of this measure. As many colleagues said, it will be people such as teachers and nurses who have had the temerity to work a bit harder than expected and clock up hours in overtime, substitute work or whatever, who will be penalised as a result of this measure. We should not stop at...

Seanad: National Gallery. (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to discuss with the Minister of State this evening the planned consolidation of many of our national galleries. This is a matter that has been discussed, albeit briefly, within the media. To the best of my knowledge, it has not been the subject of much discussion within the Oireachtas. My understanding is that the Minister of State's Department is poised to consolidate and...

Seanad: National Gallery. (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I congratulate him on the work of his Department, particularly on the new gallery in Farmleigh House and on the exhibitions that have been held there. I am struck by the fact that the Minister of State identified that little savings, if any, will be realised through this process, which is not necessarily bad. If we are entering this process,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I concur with my colleagues in calling for a debate on the Lisbon treaty, on which I would like to make two points. There is an obligation on people when speaking about the Lisbon treaty and its impact on Ireland to be open and honest in respect of its implications. I am not suggesting Senator Ó Murchú was being anything less than honest in his contribution but we need to be clear that...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I guarantee the Leader we will not be found wanting but we are not going to be treated like fools. I am not making a political point. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, stated in this House that he could not tell us the content of what is being discussed with our European partners yet that plan was leaked on RTE news this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Where is the spirit of bipartisanship in this? This is not politics. If the Leader wants us all to sing from the same hymn sheet he will need to tell us the song.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: We deserve nothing less.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I also refer to the murder in East Wall. It is my understanding that a further two people have been arrested in connection with it. East Wall is in my constituency and is a part of Dublin I know very well. I stood on the exact spot where the tragedy took place last Tuesday and know very well how people are feeling about what is taking place at the moment and the sheer despair running...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: That is the appropriate response.

Seanad: Public Transport Infrastructure (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak on this matter and the Minister of State for being here to respond on behalf of the Department of Transport. The matter I wish to raise concerns the general provision of public transport infrastructure in the Dublin region. I wish to ascertain the status of the many projects promised for the area. The most recent budget delivered by the...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister of State for attending the debate and my colleagues for their kind words about my role in the sub-committee. I was deeply honoured to have the opportunity to do the work and was privileged, not only to be chosen for the role by my party leader, but to have the report debated in both Houses. I place on record my deep gratitude for the work done by all members of the...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I appreciate that. However, I beg the Acting Chairman's indulgence because I invested a great deal of time and effort into producing this report.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: It is strange that we should find ourselves in a position where legitimate issues that have been raised by the people whose support the Government will need in order to pass a referendum, should a second one take place, are not being recognised. This makes the campaign for a "Yes" vote extremely vulnerable. At the risk of pointing out the obvious, the Minister of State represents a...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will conclude. My final point is that while the Government may be negotiating with other member states, it is not negotiating with the Irish people. The latter require straight answers with regard to the nature of the Government's roadmap. It is fair to ask whether the Government proposes to hold another referendum. It is incumbent on this Administration to spell out the position in...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to raise a point of order about this session and future sessions on the matter. I completely disagree with Senator Doherty.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: It will lead to a point of order.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Members should bear with me. None of the three members of the sub-committee, who had different views, had time to finish our contributions. We are the people who have been buried in the bowels——

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I just want to make the point——