Results 4,121-4,140 of 5,046 for speaker:Paschal Mooney

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I thank Senator Henry for her kind remarks. It is a pleasure to be able to present such programmes for the Irish abroad. Senator Henry's points about how RTE presents the image of Ireland abroad are extremely significant. Now that it is being given the legal vehicle to present Ireland abroad, through radio programmes, it has an added responsibility because it is no longer broadcasting only...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: It is true.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I had intended waiting until the debate on the section to raise Senator Henry's important point. In light of what is included as part of these amendments, section 4(4)(b) states: "any television broadcasting service in Northern Ireland that is notified to the Commission by the Minister, being a service that is receivable throughout the whole of Northern Ireland and is provided by terrestrial...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I am seeking guidance. While this is a technical matter and, like the Minister and others, I am not a technology expert, I have a considerable interest in this area. Will we address the technology issue on this grouping of amendments? Other amendments deal with technology specifically. I do not want to stifle debate. Am I to understand the Minister that these amendments will include sound...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: In keeping with Senator Norris's good-humoured comments on the weather, I am sure all Members will agree to congratulate him on a wonderful manifestation of youthful exuberance, as he caught frisbees in Trinity College, Dublin. My question——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I appreciate that. My question——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I merely responded to——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I thought the Cathaoirleach would have agreed with this.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I fully understand that and fully agree with the Cathaoirleach's ruling. Consequently, I will try to be as brief as possible. I ask the Acting Leader to consider having a debate on dormant accounts. The reason is that I am beginning to have some concerns about questions of accountability, mainly because——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: This is mainly for two reasons. First, as all those who receive details on dormant accounts whenever new measures are introduced are aware, enormous sums of money are involved.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: Second, a measure is being introduced at present which appears to overlap across a variety of different Departments on a national and local basis. I refer to a scheme for sports equipment for socially and economically disadvantaged areas to which one can apply. A total of €2 million has been set aside nationally. While I consider that to be a paltry sum of money, someone somewhere made...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I appreciate that. However, I thought this would be a useful exercise because of the enormous sums of money involved and the fact there are some obvious sceptics on the other side of the House, who wrongly believe the money is probably being misappropriated. I do not suggest this for one moment and do not believe this to be the case. I simply suggest that it might be instructive and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I suggested he should come before the House to provide a review of the scheme in order that there could be a debate as to how the dormant accounts system is working. I add and emphasise that I do not suggest there is anything amiss. However, there are questions about accountability.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: My question was in the context of her role as supreme commander of the Defence Forces.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I echo the comments made on all sides of the House in welcoming the Bill, which is significant in terms of its content and how it updates legislation dating back to the Defence Act 1954. I have no wish to keep the House from hearing the Minister's reply on Second Stage, but I would like to trail on the historical coat-tails of my distinguished friend and colleague, Senator Mansergh, in...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I knew a clever Member would tell me, but will the Minister put it on the record? I know the latter is plural, but it sometimes can be confusing for a lay person. It is not a significant issue and I am grateful that my colleagues corrected my inadequacies in that regard. It is proposed to change "ignominy" to "disgrace". I presume the original Act referred to a dismissal from the Defence...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I am sure the Leader agrees the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East last week was an outstanding success.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I am sure that visit was also an outstanding success and I am sure the Leader was there as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: I apologise. I was slightly distracted by local electoral considerations. In light of the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East, could we have an update from him on activities in the area? As we speak, it is hoped that Egypt is brokering an arrangement involving the two factions in Palestine to create a unity government. The Minister also met Prime Minister Olmert of...