Results 32,881-32,900 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——across the period when the Progressive Democrats were in the last Administration, it lost sight of the manifesto which underpinned its existence. The Progressive Democrats talked about the need for reform in Government, yet this was the party that set up the Health Service Executive. It talked about the need for restraint in public spending. In 1997 we were spending €22 billion,...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: We undoubtedly have a duty in terms of what we have to say in Opposition. However, to be told that we need to take lessons on credibility from another political party, given that Fine Gael implemented the Tallaght strategy and took a courageous stand on the benchmarking agreement, is more than I can take. It is incumbent on me, therefore, to make clear that Fine Gael will not take lectures...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: There is widespread acceptance across both sides of the House of the need for continued investment in public infrastructure and for maintaining focus on how it will be delivered. It has always been apparent that the cost of making this happen is immense. We have all acknowledged as much and there has been much discussion about it. It is becoming increasingly apparent that there will be...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to make it clear that this is the side which has been telling people there will be an end to the veto on taxation.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The Referendum Commission, on its first public occasion, dispelled that notion and said that such was not the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Let there be a debate in the House but I will not take lectures from anybody on the "No" side

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: There is a need for honesty and clarity.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 52: In page 45, lines 33 and 34, to delete paragraph (a). This section gets to the heart of one of the major concerns that I have about the proposal. What this clause will do in the legislation is to create an organisation that will be a regulator at the same time as it has the capacity to provide the service itself. I have real concerns about whether, in practice, this...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 55: In page 49, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following subsection: "(9) The Authority shall make available to other statutory agencies and local authorities information or data generated under this section for the purpose of the discharge of the functions of those bodies, provided that such use does not result in the disclosure of commercially sensitive...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his response. I understand the importance of this section of the Bill. The lack of a policy body has been one of the reasons the integration we are looking for has not taken place. I accept the Minister's comment that information will be available under another section of the Bill. I will examine the matter in advance of Report Stage.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 58: In page 51, between lines 48 and 49, to insert the following subsection: "(9) The Authority may require private bus operators to provide off street parking for their vehicles.". I am proposing this good amendment on behalf of my colleague, Senator Norris. Like the Senator, I live in a part of Dublin that is heavily used by private bus operators for the purposes of...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: This is a good amendment. Some of the biggest changes that will affect the Dublin region concern the location of port facilities and what could happen if those port facilities were moved elsewhere. Many of the examples the Minister cited in support of this amendment concerned work that could take place at Drogheda Port. Can he confirm that the implementation of this clause would allow...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to ensure I heard the Minister correctly. Is he proposing to delete this section?

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am looking for some guidance. I do not have a particular amendment for section 103, but do I still have the opportunity to question the Minister?

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The Minister has acknowledged that one of the main pieces of advice that he was given by the expert committee which drafted this legislation was that two organisations should be dissolved and integrated into the new Dublin transport authority. These were the Dublin Transportation Office and the Railway Procurement Agency. In the Minister's address to the House on Second Stage he explained...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response to my point. I support his rationale, which is the principle of a regulator and service provider being different organisations. That is why in the section dealing with the provider of last resort, I tabled an appropriate amendment, which the Minister surprisingly accepted. The principle of one organisation regulating and another...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Many small land plots in my constituency are owned by CIE and other organisations. I understand the intent behind the section; that if CIE wishes to dispose of a piece of land that it must get the consent of the Dublin transport authority. However, I suggest to the Minister that it might be worthwhile to assign a threshold or monetary value below which the clause would not kick in. Does...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The work that will take place on St. Stephen's Green is probably a symbol of the kind of change that Dublin will undergo in the future in order to get ready to meet the demands of a rising population and given the environmental demands placed upon us due to global warming. The debate that will begin regarding St. Stephen's Green will be long and emotional. The level of emotion raised on the...