Results 39,281-39,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am only supporting the amendment on the condition that the other amendments are likely to be passed, but from what I hear from the Minister they are not likely to be passed. I will not now support the amendment. I wish to record that. If the only thing the Minister is proposing to do is to take out section 41(6) then I will not support that.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 43: In page 45, between lines 42 and 43, to insert the following: "(g) that advertising, teleshopping material, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion employed in any broadcasting service, which relates to the promotion of alcoholic beverages, in particular beverages with a high alcohol content, shall have regard to general public health concerns,". These...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: That is disappointing. I do not understand why the Minister is treating junk food advertising targeted at children differently from alcohol advertising targeted at children. Nor do I see why he is treating junk food advertising targeted at children differently from alcohol advertising targeted at adults. My proposals would complement what the Department of Health and Children and the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I support the comments of Deputy McManus. Amendment No. 34 has the same provision, except that I have suggested a report should come before the Oireachtas committee once every two years. I am happy with that being once every three years if the Minister accepts this amendment. I proposed a number of other measures. Before the levy for the financing of the broadcasting authority is imposed...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I will respond to the Minister's statements on this specific issue rather than the need for regulation in general as we are not arguing against that. There is a big difference between a requirement on the authority to put an estimate together before it raises money through a levy, for us to see that estimate and for it to be approved by the Minister for Finance and, on the other hand, laying...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 33: In page 40, to delete lines 1 and 2. May I make a final comment? Perhaps not while I am in my seat.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment as I do not see how it creates even an inconvenience for the authority. This is about returning unspent money to the source, which currently comprises hard-pressed broadcasters who could do with the money if it is not required. In other words, if the authority puts in place the kind of efficiencies that will allow it to save money, the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 34: In page 40, to delete lines 8 to 18 and substitute the following: "(7) (a) The Authority shall be required to bring an estimate before each House of the Oireachtas and get approval from the Minister for Finance for such an estimate before the beginning of each financial year. (b) Approval of the Minister of Finance and the Houses of Oireachtas will be required for the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: These amendments have the potential to be one of the success stories to emerge from the Committee Stage debate. Amendment No. 63 proposes that we should replace the period of seven years with one of ten in the aftermath of a fast-track application process for the awarding of a contract licence. It should not be forgotten that this will give the authority the power to grant a licence that...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I wanted to come in on the discussion on digital radio and, to a certain extent, digital television. I am interested to hear that the BCI will be seeking commercial interest in digital radio roll-out. That is welcome but it flags a major problem we have regarding DTT and RTE's exposure because of the Boxer DTT withdrawal. I realise we are moving slightly from the amendment but there is an...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: We are, slightly.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: By the second bidder?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Can I propose an alternative to that?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 are linked but my amendments Nos. 43, 45 and 47 deal with a separate issue and I would like those three amendments to be taken separately, if that is possible. I do not want to make an issue about it but it will make the discussion clearer.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 42 deals with a separate issue to that which I am dealing with in my amendments.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 36: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the hardship increasing the minimum contribution to the rent supplement by a recipient by a further €6 will cause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17037/09]

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (29 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there is lottery funding available for sports clubs to apply for; if there is a surplus fund that sports clubs can apply for funding from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16819/09]

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate on this motion, and in particular the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who showed support for the majority of the principles of what we are proposing. I want to put on the record again what the big idea is here because Government spokespersons seems to have missed it. The Fine Gael motion is trying to bring forward a constructive draft policy...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: You are not.