Results 33,001-33,020 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (19 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Although I welcome some of the points being made in the interruptions, I will go on. I tried to take some time, as did everyone else, to read the Bill, but I did not have enough time so I put more attention into the explanatory memorandum. This Bill is designed to correct another law that has been in existence for 46 years. Correction of the legislation has suddenly become urgent,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I join my colleagues in requesting a debate on education matters as this week saw the publication of the feeder school list and regardless of one's view of such lists some strong points emerged. Almost all of the so-called free schools in Ireland now deliver better academic performance for pupils than the so-called grind schools. This is particularly relevant to this morning's discussion as...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: It is not acceptable that the Minister merely recognises that there is a problem and then gives money to the schools that perpetuate it.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Many Senators on the other side of the House have vigorously welcomed the Government's change of mind on some of the issues we are discussing but surely the mark of a good Government is that such policies are not introduced in the first place.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: The Leader is missing the point.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer to the call for a debate on the provision of child care services and the comments made by Senator Mary White about what makes a good politician and good policy. It is a pity she is not present in the House to hear me. The benchmark for good policy-making in this area is not the introduction of a catastrophically destructive policy for that sector and then having a change of mind on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: The benchmark for good policy in this area is not introducing it in the first place.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: The common theme that emerges in this debate, which echoes the discussions we have had on mental health care, is that the policy is in place but the money is not available to implement it. Other speakers have made this point in previous debates on child care. The budget did not provide an increase in funding for child care. Regarding Senator Mary White's announcements, we have to know...

Seanad: Integration Policy: Statements (Resumed) (13 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to share time with Senator Buttimer. A politician in another country is spending much time quoting Dr. Martin Luther King when he says certain issues require an urgent passion for now. The subject we are discussing is one such issue. We spend much time talking about infrastructure, public spending and other issues in this House. Problems created in these areas can be fixed later....

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I support Senator Quinn's request for a debate on broader issues in regard to child care and how we look after our children. I had occasion to spend time in the Rotunda Hospital two weeks ago attending the birth of my second child. Talking to the midwives there, I could not help but observe how much busier the facility was than the last time I was there two years ago. The midwives told me...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: That country's state agencies have almost certainly been involved in assassinating somebody in our neighbouring country. It is a country that has been using its natural resources to hold its neighbours hostage.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I will be brief. It is a country that has just delivered an election in which observers said there was little point in them observing what was happening as standards had slipped so far. Whatever debates we may have in future, we cannot remain blind to the abuse of power that is taking place there. We certainly cannot praise what is happening there at the moment.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Other speakers have called for a debate on active citizenship and the role of volunteering in society. Senator Daly in particular hit the nail on the head when he spoke about the important role education plays within this, which I believe should be captured in the debate I hope we have. The Senator indicated that in many cases, comments and culture encouraging citizenship within our...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. Although I was not present during the earlier part of this debate, I listened and watched upstairs and heard the Minister of State's contribution and the comments of different people. I will start by quoting a number of figures which set the entire debate in context, namely, the gross domestic product per head of population in...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Maybe it is. We need to get the facts in place and build up the passion to get to the main points.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Before I came to the Seanad to make this speech I gave my old secondary school a call. I asked the people at the school what type of institution people think of when they consider furthering their education. The answer that came back was the Central Applications Office, which is for people who want to get into third level education. We need to instill two things into the boys and girls in...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Great.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator was going better.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: Last night the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance made a wide-ranging speech about the future of our economic policy. The breadth of the speech was far more wide-ranging and comprehensive than those I have heard in the Oireachtas in the past few months. Instead of commenting on that, however, I call for a debate on tow points made by the Tánaiste.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Paschal Donohoe: If I can make my points I will explain the reason a debate on these matters is vital. The Tánaiste commented that there would be a slow down in public spending in line with growth of the economy and he ominously referred to a further expansion of the private sector into the delivery of services currently delivered by the public sector. The last time we heard language like that was in...