Results 3,401-3,420 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: He and I will be able to drive from my constituency to his and to Bray to enjoy the seaside. I do not need to explain to any Member of this House the urgent social and economic need for the completion of this stretch of motorway as soon as possible, a point which even Deputy Olivia Mitchell made. I congratulate my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan——

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: ——who also represents Dublin South together with the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, on the recent opening of the Drummartin link road and on the announcement that this December the sections either side of the Carrickmines area will be open to traffic and we will be able to use them. I might bring Deputy Durkan on a tour of it if he has an hour to spare some day.

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: The congestion we have all experienced over the past five years in the Sandyford area will be consigned to history and the M50 from the M1 to the M11 will be completed. When researching for this contribution I also discovered the impact our heritage can have on the development of the common good. I was a member of South Dublin County Council from 1991 up to last September. I am disappointed...

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: It is one of those things.

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: It was the right decision, and even the Deputy agrees with that——

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: ——but that does not mean I cannot express the view that I miss the council, which I do. I drive by the council building in Tallaght every morning and wish I could go in, but I do not have time as I must continue to do my job on the national stage, and that is what we are all doing.

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Having been a member of the council for many years, I am fully aware of environmental impact statements and, on reading the report on Carrickmines, was reminded, as I know were other colleagues, that the public inquiry and approval for the project was granted back in 1998. That was six years ago and, with the passing of this Bill, the projected completion date is July 2005. It took a total of...

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Let us try to be civil with each other. I am simply pointing out the disregard of that MEP for the larger picture, and the fact that the costs involved could and would have been invested elsewhere in the roads network only serves to show that political opportunism and publicity continues to be the benchmark of the Opposition parties. Not to be party political, I am looking forward to Deputy...

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I look forward to Deputy Eoin Ryan doing that. The merits of this Bill have been recorded by the Minster for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen. I support the details of the Bill. With the need to provide for future infrastructure, be it the Waterford bypass or the M3 on the edge of the Tara-Skryne valley, it is important that while we preserve as far as possible...

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: It does not matter how long I will be here; I am happy to let the people decide. If I do something else down the road, that will be fine also. When I became a Dáil Deputy, somebody said to me that God has all these things worked out. I am quite happy about that.

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: It is true. Does the Deputy not believe that?

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I take it that you are protecting me from the hecklers, Sir. An Bord Pleanála carried out the longest public hearings in the history of the State concerning the M3 scheme and an environmental impact statement outlined the procedures that will be in place to protect historic sites. One must ask, however, why protest groups are unable to respect the integrity of the local authority, An Bord...

National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Jun 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I am always happy to support good legislation and will not refrain from doing so. As a result of the good work of Ministers, every Member of the House will be able to state that construction on local road schemes is waiting to start. I hope the Bill will go some way towards ensuring that delays will be treated in a professional manner, and that failings and associated excess costs can be...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 May 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 155: To ask the Minister for Finance if consultations have taken place with interested parties regarding proposals for the redevelopment of the Tallaght Garda station site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/04]

Written Answers — Health Centres: Health Centres (18 May 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 316: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on plans for the redevelopment of the health centre at Millbrook Lawns, Tallaght, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14232/04]

Written Answers — Minimum Voting Age: Minimum Voting Age (18 May 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 399: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the debate in the UK regarding the reduction of the voting age to 16; his views on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14328/04]

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I am pleased I made the long trip from Tallaght to be the next speaker. It is good to see so many Members here early in the morning. I acknowledge the presence of the Leader of the Opposition to hear me speak.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Given that we are all here so early, I wonder whether Members were up late last night to watch "TV3 News". I was watching the news and a film because I was trying to relax. The poll carried out indicated that an amazing 80% of people are in favour of the legislation before us. I would contrast that——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: We all know the question that was asked and the answer received. It is very accurate and we should all listen to it.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: So do I. I wonder about the events in this House, how they are impacting on the public, how the public is reacting and the damage it is doing to the body politic. As a new Member, I am sometimes fascinated by the workings of this House. I was here the week before last for the various debates and votes. There were all sorts of arguments and rows about whether this House should sit these two...