Results 35,681-35,700 of 35,973 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the Report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union, particularly as it is now less than two days until the European Council meets in Brussels. It has been clear to us all along that the Government had no intention of addressing the concerns of the electorate about the Lisbon treaty and instead set itself on a course to...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I did not interrupt Senator Donohoe.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Which facts have we invented?

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Which facts have we invented in this speech?

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister of State is making accusations that are wild and unfounded. He cannot stand over them.

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The matter I raise in this debate is the need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to address the financial crisis that is being experienced in my home county by Donegal County Council, which has led to the announcement by union representatives, which has been confirmed, that 238 employees of the council are to be made...

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the Minister of State's reply. However, what is happening is crazy. The Minister of State has confirmed the €200 charge has been already incorporated into the funding given to Donegal County Council. This means the nominal 6% reduction in this year's allocation to Donegal County Council is closer to being a reduction of 12% or 13%. As the Minister of State pointed out, €4.6...

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister of State should ask the Minister to clarify what he considers to be relevant provisions. What does he consider an acceptable minimal level of services to be provided to local authorities? Does he believe it acceptable that no refuse collectors or litter wardens exist in wide areas of County Donegal or that there are not enough planners or staff to process housing claims for...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. On a number of occasions in the Seanad, I have referred to the high level of unemployment nationally, particularly in my county, Donegal. County Donegal had been experiencing a recession for many decades before the national recession. Donegal had the highest level of unemployment, at approximately 18%, which was three or four times above the national average....

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister for his reply. The information I have is that four new positions will be made available to County Donegal. I do not think that will go far enough but perhaps the Department has made an assessment that this number is what is required. I believe more positions are needed. What strikes me is that information is not included in the response. Does the Minister have any...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I was about to welcome the fact that the homeless strategy implementation plan would be put on a statutory footing as part of this Bill but having heard the Minister of State's latest comments, I am not sure if that is his intention. He said he hopes to publish it by the end of the year and that it will then be put on a statutory footing. We need some clarity on this issue. Will the...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying the position because I and other Members were not clear as to his intentions in terms of the homeless strategy implementation plan. The second part of that question, and it arises out of the Minister of State's comment that he intends to publish the plan by the end of the year, is when he expects the Bill to be in effect. If he is only publishing...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, paragraph (a)(x), line 35, to delete "10 of the Act of 1988" and substitute "20, as amended under this section of this bill". Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom a léiriú nach bhfuil mé sásta nár ghlac an tAire Stáit agus na Seanadóirí ar thaobh an Rialtais le leasú Uimh. 3, a chuir mé siós chun brú a chur ar na seirbhísí déanamh cinnte de go...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit, as ucht do fhreagra. Caithfidh mé a rá nach bhfuil mé sásta. Sílim go bhfuil deis againn anois, sa reachtaíocht seo atá ag dul tríd an tSeanaid inniu, sár-mhíniú a thabhairt ar an t-ábhar atá á phlé againn. While I welcome the Minister of State's comments, I do not agree that a definition of homelessness as outlined in amendment No. 30...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I have listened to the Minister of State. I want to reiterate this is a serious missed opportunity——

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: This is a missed opportunity. The existing definition of homelessness in the 1988 Act is too narrow. The Minister of State talked about the ETHOS definition but this does not incorporate that broader definition. He used phrases regarding the definition such as "can be interpreted to mean" and "in my view". This amendment seeks to make clear it is no longer a matter of the Minister's view...

Seanad: Budgetary Measures (5 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Ba mhaith liom an táille ar thithe saoire, tithe atá á ligint ar cíos agus tithe nach bhfuil an t-úinéir ina chonaí iontu, a thugadh isteach i mbuiséad 2009, a ardú os comhair an Tí. D'fhógair an tAire Airgeadais trí sheachtain ó inné go mbeadh táille de €200 i gceist. Conas a chuirfear an scéim seo i bhfeidhm? Cathain a mbeidh an...

Seanad: Budgetary Measures (5 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. While one of my questions was answered, the other was not. For example, the Donegal county manager said the council will plug the gap in funding from the decrease in the local government fund from central Government through these charges. However, we have no idea when the legislation will be published, introduced or take effect in order that a local authority...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme (15 Oct 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I wish to share my time with Senator Cecilia Keaveney. It is right that Senator Keaveney and I should address this issue because it is one which affects the women of Donegal. When talking about cancer, the threat of cancer, patient safety and patients' lives, we need to put away party political differences and look at what is in the best interest of the patient. That is why I ensured this...