Results 35,901-35,920 of 35,975 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (6 Feb 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State. The reply from the Department is not good enough. We have left schools in a vulnerable position due to the costs that have been incurred but, more importantly, we have left children in a vulnerable position because the essential works need to be done. Does the Minister of State, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, support the suspension of this scheme? Given he...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (6 Feb 2008)

Pearse Doherty: After them preparing these applications, will the Minister of State defend the Minister's decision not to grant aid those schools for the essential works?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I ask that the Leader arrange the debate on the marine rescue co-ordination centres in Malin Head and Valencia to which he committed on the Order of Business of 15 December. He expressed his hope that an all-party agreement could be reached to strenuously oppose the proposal and he wanted to ensure the Minister would attend the House before the Christmas recess. While that unfortunately did...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I, too, would welcome debate on rendition flights and the use of Irish air space to accommodate this atrocious practice. The issue is not as straightforward as Members on the Government side suggest. When this debate was running in Donegal during the general election, two former Ministers of State in the Department of Transport, one with responsibility in the area of aviation, supported...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Yes. I also call on the Leader to arrange for a debate in the new year on the decline and depopulation of rural Ireland. Within the next week, in the parish of Gweedore in Donegal the second post office in the space of three years will close down. This may seem insignificant, but when coupled with loss of jobs, the withdrawal of transport services etc., we are seeing the death of rural...

Seanad: Substance Abuse: Motion (19 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an tSeanadóir Bacik as ucht a cuid ama a roinnt liom le labhairt ar an ábhar seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Ba mhaith liom an tSeanadóir Cassidy a mholadh as ucht an deis a thabhairt dúinn an rún seo a phlé sa Seanad agus as an dóigh ar éirigh leis deis a thabhairt do na páirtithe uilig tacaíocht a thabhairt don rún. Tugann mo...

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

Pearse Doherty: Following the Attorney General's advice to the Government that primary legislation must be enacted as a matter of urgency to protect the 19 existing bodies established by Ministers by statutory instrument under the 1961 Act, we need to give some leeway. If the legal advice, which should be made available to the Opposition, is correct, then to ensure the continuation of the work of these...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Tá mé iontach buíoch deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar seo. When debating this Bill there are important figures we must keep in mind. Some 290,000 people are living in consistent poverty in this State, many of them children. Some 770,000 people are at risk of poverty, many of them also children. Two weeks ago the Government had the opportunity to make decisive progress towards...

Seanad: Broadband Access: Motion (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Paddy Burke as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. I commend the Independent Senators on bringing this motion before the House. It is timely and apt to discuss this motion after having had a discussion on the supports necessary for small and medium enterprises to flourish in a modern Ireland. A key element for any business to flourish and develop is the...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: There is no denying that the State has made remarkable economic progress during the past 15 years and the small and medium enterprises have benefited somewhat. There are a number of areas where we can help SMEs to develop. There is an acknowledgement that SMEs are the best way to produce new jobs and certainly the best way forward for the regions. I stand here as one who is an employer but...

Seanad: European Union Reform Treaty: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: The electorate of the Twenty-six Counties will vote next year on the Lisbon or reform treaty. We may be the only EU citizens to do so. This places an enormous responsibility on our shoulders to ensure before we vote that we fully understand the content and implications of the treaty. I have listened carefully to comments from Charlie McCreevy when he said that Ireland would be "the laughing...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Ba mhaith liom dá mbeadh muid ábalta am a chur ar leataobh fá choinne díospóireachta ar acmhainní nádúrtha na tíre seo. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on natural resources, particularly those offshore. I listened to Senator Hanafin talking about Russia selling off its natural resources for the price of a house, but in some cases this State did not even get the price of a...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: ——On a point of information, I was referring to parliamentary questions, not Question Time.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: On a point of information——

Seanad: Motor Insurance (6 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I refer to the need for the Minister for Transport to introduce measures to reduce the exorbitant cost of motor insurance in this State, particularly for young drivers. It is clear that young drivers, who make up 20% of the total, are being bled dry and ripped off by some private motor insurance companies while the Government continues to look on. In a...

Seanad: Motor Insurance (6 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the Minister of State's reply although it did not address the issue. I am aware of the risks associated with young drivers but 20% of them cannot be penalised without even having a bad record. Will the consultants carrying out the review on behalf of the Department discuss the problems with youth organisations? Young people are being ripped off though massive premia, which even...

Seanad: Motor Insurance (6 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Merits of Farmers' Markets: Statements (6 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach leis an gceist seo a phlé. Sílim nach gcloisfimid Seanadóir ar bith ag rá nach bhfuil buntáistí ag baint leis na margaí feirme. Tá sé iontach soiléir go bhfuil buntáistí ag baint leo. Tá an tuairim céanna ag gach éinne. Tá fadhbanna uafásacha ag na margaí áitiúla, áfach. Tá daoine ar nós feirmeoirí ag iarraidh...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Pearse Doherty: This the 11th budget presided over by Fianna Fáil in government. During that time, we have had unprecedented economic growth. Now, however, the Government is warning us to tighten our belts. Fianna Fail's pre-election promises were an illusion but also a masterstroke in terms of electoral strategy. It promised the earth, moon and stars but as soon as the votes were cast, it embarked upon...