Results 3,881-3,900 of 4,905 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Kilkenny barracks was on the list for the chop and it was switched with that in Cavan.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Kilkenny barracks was for the chop-----

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Was the Senator in the tent?

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: What about Clonmel barracks?

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: What about the barracks in Clonmel?

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: What savings will be made?

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: So 40% were lies.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. A debate like this is a useful opportunity. It allows the Government to look at its record and mark itself. It gives us a chance to correct the Government's papers. Senator Jim D'Arcy said that the Government honoured 60% of its election promises in its first year. Does that mean the other 40% will be reneged on, or will...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: He did say it.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Landy alluded to the closure of Clonmel barracks, which is a disgrace. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, and his Government colleagues are closing the Defence Forces' facilities in Clonmel, Mullingar, Castlebar and Dún Uí Néill in Cavan town. They claim that savings will result from those closures. I am most familiar with Dún Uí Néill, which is the most modern barracks in Europe....

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Where is the saving if that happens? Some €3 million will be lost to the economy of Cavan town. If one State agency sells a building to another, it will be a farcical exercise and no saving will be made. The cost to the State of providing accommodation for the troops that are being moved from the four barracks that are being closed will be €30 million. It is a disgrace and a shame. I...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: It was Senator O'Sullivan.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: North Dublin.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, to the House. Like my colleague, Senator Mooney, I must begin by saying I do not envy any Minister for Finance who has to put a budget together in a difficult economic climate. The same problems were faced by the late Brian Lenihan when he was Minister for Finance. Regardless of what one attempts to do in the current economic circumstances,...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I join my colleagues in asking the Deputy Leader to ensure the Taoiseach comes to the House. I do not blame the Deputy Leader for what happened yesterday afternoon, which was totally unacceptable. I do not blame the Leader, who is representing this House abroad during St. Patrick's week, for it. I do not blame the Government Chief Whip for it either. Since I was elected to this House, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: On 15 December last, some 27 employees of Lagan Brick in Kingscourt, County Cavan, were told by management that the company was no longer viable and would close with immediate effect. The employees have picketed the plant since then in an effort to ensure they get their entitlements. Talks with the Labour Relations Commission collapsed earlier this year. The company has refused to take...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: Official strike action at the plant commenced last Saturday. We are asking that these employees be given the entitlements they are due. This matter was raised on the Adjournment by my colleague, Senator Byrne, a number of weeks ago. It has been raised consistently in the other House by my colleague, Deputy Smith. No resolution is in sight. I ask the Deputy Leader to invite the Minister,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister back to the House and commend him on being one of only a few Government Ministers who attend the House to deal with business for which their respective Department is responsible.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I commend Senators Mac Conghail and van Turnhout on the amendment, for which they should be applauded. It is appropriate that Independent Members should be paid an appropriate allowance for the reasons outlined by Senator Norris. To safeguard the allowance it should be accounted for and transparent. Political parties obtain funding from the State, that is, the taxpayer, and must account...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the suggestion in respect of a figure of 30%. It would be interesting to know the Minister's rationale for not increasing it to 40% or even 50%.