Results 36,141-36,160 of 36,188 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Fianna Fáil has a majority in Donegal County Council.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: There is massive underspending.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Our job is to represent the people.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Ba mhaith liom go dtiocfadh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí go dtí an Seanad le plé a dhéanamh ar an chinneadh a ghlac an Rialtas Dé Máirt ar na riachtanais a bhí ann do dhlíodóirí cumas na Gaeilge a bheith acu agus téarmaíocht Gaeilge a bheith acu. Tá an riachtanas sin á bhaint amach as an reachtaíocht agus ní bheidh an gá sin, cumas na Gaeilge...

Seanad: Local Authority Charges (15 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach fá choinne an cheist seo a phlé. Ba cheart dúinn cead a thabhairt do na comhairlí chontae ar fud na tíre airgead a bhailiú ó úinéirí tithe saoire ar fud an Stáit. Cuideodh sé sin leis na húdaráis áitiúla seirbhísí éagsúla — seirbhísí níos fearr agus seirbhísí úra — a chuir ar fáil sna áiteanna ina bhfuil na...

Seanad: Local Authority Charges (15 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State for his response. However, I am disappointed with it and the Minister of State addressed the issue of holiday homes only in the last line. Why will the Government not introduce a levy on holiday homes? Does the Minister of State concur with the sentiments of the Indecon report that it is fair and acceptable that those with holiday homes or second homes...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I concur with Senator Ó Domhnaill. Last week I asked that the House approve an all-party motion on the undocumented Irish, as happened in the Dáil. I do not wish to apportion blame for the 40,000 Irish who had to go to America. Such a motion would send a signal to the US Government that we are fully united on this issue. I ask that such a motion be facilitated as soon as possible and...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I wish to extend my sympathy to the family of Mr. O'Gorman. I ask that the Minister for Transport come to the House to discuss the issue of public transport in rural areas rather than the issue of road safety as the subject is of importance to Malin and west Donegal and many other areas.

Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Acting Chairman for this opportunity to record my view and that of my party on this matter. We disagree with this motion because we believe the Government is not serious about tackling the issue of pensions. It hopes the individual will provide for his or her own pension, saving the State from dealing with this crisis. It is just another example of an abdication of...

Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: The reason I said we opposed the motion was because we do not believe the Government, of which the Senator's party is a part, is serious about tackling the issue of pensions.

Seanad: Community Child Care Subvention Scheme 2008-2010: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I am particularly pleased this debate is taking place and that I have an opportunity to speak. It is six weeks since I first raised the matter on the Order of Business. I did so on a weekly basis until there was a groundswell of support for the debate now taking place. My party has been to the fore on the issue of child care funding. I have met child care providers. Sinn Féin's health...

Seanad: Community Child Care Subvention Scheme 2008-2010: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I have no problem with Government Deputies and Senators articulating the views of those who have first-hand experience of this sector, but if they want to support such people they should support my call for the Minister to suspend the scheme. There is no reason that cannot be done, as the scheme does not come into effect until 1 July next.

Seanad: Community Child Care Subvention Scheme 2008-2010: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: When the Minister of State, Deputy Smith, spoke about this issue last week, he claimed there has been full consultation with the child care sector. I discussed this issue directly with the Minister of State during a debate. My information is that just 11 voluntary community child care groups, from a total of more than 1,100 such groups, were consulted. That does not constitute full...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht ar an cheist thábhachtach seo. Níl morán daoine sa tír nach bhfuil aithne acu ar dhuine a maraíodh ar na bealaí móra nó a bhí i dtimpiste. Tá sé iontach tábhachtach go bhfuilimid ag déanamh ár sheacht ndícheall aghaidh a thabhairt ar an fhadhb sin. Cuirim fáilte roimh an mhéid atá déanta ag an Road Safety Authority go dtí seo....

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements (8 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Leas Aire. Food safety is a major issue and has been underlined this week by the report of the EU Food and Veterinary Office, FVO, on Brazilian beef production and the confirmation that foot and mouth disease has been discovered in Cyprus. The FVO report proves that serious irregularities and shortcomings exist on Brazilian farms and in processing plants. It also...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I have sought information from the Leader on a number of occasions, but perhaps the Deputy Leader may be able to inform me on when the student support Bill will come before this House. Is it expected before the end of the year or at the start of the next term? A commitment was given to students that the Bill would be taken in early 2007 but the end of the year is now approaching. Will the...

Seanad: Energy Security and Climate Change: Motion (7 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Go raibh maith agat. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Paddy Burke a thug cead dom, agus am dom, labhairt ar seo. I support the amendment which points out the shortcomings in the Government's strategy to address the issue of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are heavily dependent on imported oil and gas. While there is a European...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus gabhaim comhgairdeachas leis. The Government parties in their programme for Government in 2002 claimed, "We will keep the public finances in a healthy condition". Interestingly, no such commitment appears in the new programme for Government. With lower growth projected for the years ahead, the focus needs to be put on what is required to ensure the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: I agree with Senator Norris's demand for time to be given to introduce the legislation on the Order Paper which he has proposed. I also reiterate my call to have a debate on child care. For the past four weeks I have explained to this House in great detail the changes which the Government plans to introduce in the subvention scheme and the effects of those changes on community child care...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Pearse Doherty: This is a complete U-turn on the Government commitment by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in 2003 when he said these facilities would be upgraded with increased jobs, nine of which would go to Malin Head and seven to Valentia.