Results 32,941-32,960 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 8: In page 14, subsection (1), between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: "(e) provide and issue licenses under the Road Transport Act 1932 for public transport operators operating within the GDA.". This is one of the most important issues related to this legislation. The amount of power this organisation will have for dealing with transport strategy and needs in...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his response. I will comment on some of the points made by my colleagues during the discussion on this amendment. The operation of competition and trying to advance the needs of our society are not incompatible. I make this point in some trepidation because I am clashing with my eloquent and experienced colleague, Senator Norris. However, the idea that those who...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——is something with which I strongly disagree. Competition can play an appropriate role at times in ensuring that the needs of our entire community and society can be met. I have great respect for Senator Norris and the points that he has made about this Bill and the Seanad. If we do not make these points now about this authority and this Bill, then the train will leave the station....

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 4: In page 14, paragraph (a), line 11, to delete "sustains" and substitute "promotes". The amendment refers to the role infrastructure can play in generating economic growth. The national competitiveness strategy and the Minister's strategy statement acknowledge that in many cases the provision of transport infrastructure plays a significant role in generating economic...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will withdraw the amendment. This morning I examined the strategy statement the Minister prepared for his Department in which he makes clear the role infrastructure can play in the future of the economy. I accept the undertaking he has given and look forward to hearing his views on the amendment at a later stage.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 5: In page 14, paragraph (b), line 13, after "system" to insert "for all users". The rationale for this amendment is to make explicit in the legislation the need to prioritise passengers at all times in the delivery of plans. I am sure the Minister is aware that the 16 bodies responsible for delivering transport services for Dublin city and region have at times placed...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for responding in the manner he has. I take his point in regard to the language I have used. I might look at it again as we move through this process. The general objectives of the authority are vital in terms of the work it will do. With the exception of persons with disabilities, the customer, or the passenger, is not mentioned. I accept the Minister's point that...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I, too, want to raise the topic of the OECD report Senator White mentioned. I called for a debate on that last week because it was likely this would be a landmark report on the state of our public services. I wish to comment briefly on the state into which we have got ourselves. How has it happened that the concept of the user of a public service being the person around whom the service is...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: It describes the Government's decision on decentralisation as being inherently wrong for the long-term success of our public services and challenges strongly the decisions this Government is making on cancer services. One of the most reputed organisations on economics and the development of countries is stating that many of the major strategic decisions this Government has made on cancer...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Does one have to be in Government to get a copy of a report and be invited to a reception?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I tried to take the initiative. I got on to the OECD website yesterday to get a copy of it but I was not allowed do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I did not. How did we get ourselves to the point where not only action on public services is confined to Government, which I can understand, but the right to comment on that is also confined to the Government? I support Senator Buttimer's point on the loss of important and sensitive data belonging to patients. The Government is proposing to introduce a new directive that will allow more...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Senator Fitzgerald has pointed out that on many pressing economic and social matters the Oireachtas, and the Seanad in particular, is either silent or does not have the ability to discuss such issues. An important element in the background to this problem, which has been touched on many times in this Chamber, is that there have been huge increases in the amount of money spent on the delivery...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister to the House to present this legislation to the Seanad. At the outset I will quote what was written about our city 104 years ago by James Joyce. He wrote: "I chose Dublin for the scene because that city to me seemed the centre of paralysis." When Joyce made that point, he had a particular form of paralysis in mind. More than a century later, we can see that other...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: In recent months, we have spent much time in this House talking about two different points. The first is the serious problems we face in dealing with transport and congestion issues in the Dublin region. We have noted at great length the difficulty this is causing families, businesses and commuters in the area. A second point we have discussed at even greater length is the concern many...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I support the calls made by my colleague, Senator Twomey, for a debate on the state of our economy, especially its manufacturing elements. In the past week, a number of events have highlighted the precarious position in which the country could find itself. For example, we are aware of the manufacturing job losses that could occur in the midlands, a matter a number of my colleagues will...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Again, in deference to the Cathaoirleach, I will focus on just one point, that is, the economy and the current rate of inflation, as referred to by Senator Regan. We find ourselves in a unique position in that the value of goods and services entering our economy is declining because of changes in the exchange rate, yet the inflation rate is increasing. This will set the background for the...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (9 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: My colleague, Senator Regan, has outlined the general welcome our party gives to this Bill and to the wide variety of proposals and issues dealt with within. I wish to focus on three elements of the Bill, namely, Parts 4, 9 and 11, which deal with leases for commercial property, the operation of the current film censorship office, and the reference to parental leave and the ability to share...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs: Motion (9 Apr 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the motion proposed by Senator Frances Fitzgerald. I find myself in an unusual position because the amendment from the Government more clearly illustrates the scale of the problem we are facing than the original motion tabled by my party. If one examines the range of measures and statements contained in the amendment, they demonstrate a level of disconnection from the reality of...