Results 3,421-3,440 of 4,908 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Comments such as "surplus to requirements", "wasters", "not fit for purpose" and "irrelevant" are not balanced. Today, a senior member of the Labour Party referred in the Irish Examiner to Senators as "fossils and meaningless artefacts". He also said that the Seanad "adds no fundamental value to politics".

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: This is outrageous and unacceptable. It is not fair to blame only the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach has nailed his opinion to the mast. The Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and the Labour Party, regardless of what they are saying in off the record briefings, are fully supportive of abolishing the Seanad. That is the reality.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Yes. Like Senator Leyden, I call on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to come into this House to answer questions from Members of this House. What are they afraid of? They should put to the people the question on whether to abolish the Seanad or reform it. What are they afraid of?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I join colleagues who have called in recent weeks for a debate on the system of processing passports which comes within the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In common with other public representatives, I have been inundated in recent months with queries from people who have discovered their passport is out of date or about to expire and are in a panic because they have...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I did not have an opportunity to congratulate him.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Terry Brennan has persisted for 35 years in pushing for this project. I am delighted to see his aspiration become a reality. Well done to him.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I join Senator van Turnhout in the call for a statement from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, a woman for whom I have the height of respect. I believe she is doing an excellent job given the resources she has. It is up to her Cabinet colleagues to back her in getting extra resources in order that these crèches can be properly inspected. It is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Some of them are on the minimum wage despite the huge profits that these institutions are making. It is not acceptable. That is the bigger picture. There should be a minimum qualification of level five FETAC for everyone, not only 50% of staff.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Terry Brennan can take the Déise.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I will be brief. I commend my colleague, Senator MacSharry, on bringing to the floor of the Seanad this important legislation. This is the third legislative item Senator MacSharry has presented to the House. He has presented the Family Home Bill 2011, the Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012 and now this Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013. Unfortunately, I regret this...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand and appreciate the brief contribution made by the Leader this evening, in which he pointed out, quite rightly, that the Minister had stated legislation is in place that covers illegal moneylending. However, the Minister also referred to the infrequency of prosecutions. Why are prosecutions infrequent if there is legislation on the Statute Book that is effective in dealing with...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: This is the reason my colleague, Senator MacSharry, has introduced this legislation. I accept the points made by Senator Conway and the Minister.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: People may be reluctant and rightly so. This is because they are afraid for their lives, as most illegal moneylenders are gangsters and criminals.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: As the Minister noted in his contribution, the Garda has widespread powers to deal with this issue. If this is the case, why is the Garda not dealing with the problem? These are the questions that must be answered by the Minister on foot of the introduction of this Bill. The most vulnerable people are being affected by these gangsters and thugs. While the latter are the unlicensed...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand the Senator was only making that point. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House and note he is the third Minister to attend this evening. I urge him to reconsider, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Shatter, who, as everyone knows, can be shrouded in a straitjacket of pomposity from time to time. Admittedly, he was reasonable enough this evening.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I ask that this Bill be accepted this evening. If the Government could come up with better legislation then I suggest it does so.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I, too, welcome Senator O'Keeffe's mother and father-in-law to the Visitors Gallery. The next speaker is Senator Barrett, whom I understand is sharing time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Is that agreed? Agreed. The Senators have four minutes each.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Norris without interruption please.