Results 32,861-32,880 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I take this opportunity to thank the Minister and his staff for work at all Stages of this legislation. On this side of the House we recognise the importance of it and of this new organisation working effectively. I thank them for the manner in which they have responded to the work done by this side of the House.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will not move amendment No. 9 in light of Government amendment No. 8. The spirit of this amendment and others was to try to increase the accountability of a potentially very powerful organisation to the Oireachtas, local authorities and to individuals and communities affected by its work. While the proof of the extent of this accountability will be apparent once the organisation is up and...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 12: In page 16, to delete lines 45 to 48 and in page 17, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: "(12) The Minister may, in relation to a draft transport strategy submitted to him or her— (a) approve the draft, (b) approve it with modifications, (c) instruct that it be resubmitted to him or her in a modified form for approval, or (d) refuse to approve it....

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I have not discussed the control and power of the Oireachtas over the proposed Dublin transport authority. I fully understand the role of the Minister, his or her executive power, its limitations and the division of power between the Minister and the Oireachtas. I welcome this new organisation that we will establish, but I predict both sides of this and the other House will, at some stage...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 20: In page 19, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: "(3) On the election of the person who is directly elected to the position of Mayor of Dublin, or such other comparable position, that person, and their successors, shall be the Chairperson of the Authority for such period as they hold the office of Mayor.". One of the main themes in the debate is the need...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: We will press this amendment. It is the role of legislation to anticipate what could happen in the future. Government policy clearly articulates that this is something it wants to happen in its term of office. One of the Government's partners in government is very committed to making this happen because it is a good idea. If it is done properly it should make a major difference to the...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 22: In page 27, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: "(5) The Authority shall be required to provide an account of the continuing necessity for the subsidiary to remain in being on the expiration of two years from the date of its establishment.". There has been a dramatic increase in the number of organisations, some 16 in total, involved in transport...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I support the calls by other Senators for debates on various matters. I entirely support what Senator Ryan said this morning about the lack of time allowed between the different Stages for the Bill on the Dublin transport authority. The thinking behind its current handling is that if it is done in this way its progress through the Seanad will be accelerated. This is counter-productive....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am. We should remember that the people who are suffering because of delays are those who have been looking for new housing, for years in many cases. The carpet is now being pulled out from under their feet due to circumstances beyond their control. I want to see how the Government will respond to this and I would appreciate a debate.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment and support Senator Ryan's comments which point to an important aspect of this legislation. If one is inside the greater Dublin area one will get a particular focus and service from the Dublin transport authority, which will not be available to those outside that area. The competent national authority for people living outside the greater Dublin area is the Department...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Before commenting on the amendment, I should say that it was remiss of me not to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House and congratulate him on his new appointment. I am conscious that in recent times the Department of Transport has not had a Minister of State, and I wish him well in his new job. It is good to have a Dublin-based Minister of State in the Department...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the change the Minister of State has made through this amendment. I will not move amendment No. 5 in recognition of that change. An important theme in our contributions on Committee Stage concerned the need for a joined-up and coherent approach to facilitating cycling within the greater Dublin area. The example we cited was of cycle lanes not being linked up. While it may seem...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will not move amendment No. 7 in recognition of what amendment No. 6 achieves. The thinking behind the amendment is that for too long our transport strategy has been preoccupied with linear routes in an attempt to get people in and out of areas. I was concerned that was the focus of this legislation, whereas we know there is also a need for a radial transport strategy for a given area and...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: As I begin my contribution, I want to respond to some of the points made by colleagues on the Government benches. I will start with some of the comments made by Senator O'Malley. The Senator is someone for whom I have a great amount of respect in terms of the contributions that she makes to this House. However, I need to make clear to her and others that Fine Gael is not going to take...