Results 3,441-3,460 of 4,936 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Business of Seanad (12 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand that in recent days the Minister for Education and Skills signed the commencement order for the new education and training boards to come into existence on 1 July. I welcome that act and the speed with which it was done. I ask the Leader to ensure everything is in place for the education and training boards to smoothly come into existence, as if a number of counties are...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator might be a candidate.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I seek clarification from the Minister. A court hearing proceedings for an offence under this section, including any appeal or subsequent proceedings, may, on its own motion or on the application of the Director of Public Prosecutions, order that the proceedings or part of them be held otherwise than in public. Will the Minister explain the reasons for that?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the fact that what is proposed in the section is going to become law. I live near the Border and I am conscious of the terrorist threat which exists there. The Bill clearly indicates the different matters about which the Minister must be satisfied before granting an order as a result of an application from the assistant commissioner. In circumstances where the Minister for...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: The section substitutes references in section 98 of the 2010 Act to "the Minister's reasons" with the words "the reasons". I ask the Minister to explain the reason for doing so.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am sure Senator MacSharry might be able to assist Senator O'Keeffe in that regard. I join with colleagues in again welcoming that the G8 Summit is to take place in the Lough Erne resort outside Enniskillen over the course of next weekend. It is very much appreciated not alone by the people of County Fermanagh but by people from Cavan, Leitrim, Donegal and Monaghan from a tourism...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is very relevant. It is important to inform the House that CNN is coming all the way from America to film the Ulster quarter final match between Cavan and Fermanagh. It is hoped that on this occasion, as the eyes of the world are on us, Cavan will win this important match on its journey to the All-Ireland this year. I agree with Senator Bacik on the need for a balanced debate on the...

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...