Results 4,181-4,200 of 4,936 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: May I share time with Senator Mooney?

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Or four minutes, but I was never great at maths. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to the House. He must be commended for being one of the few Ministers who attends this Chamber. I thank him, as it is good to see.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: He is usually in good humour, even when we point out where is he wrong on particular issues. Generally, we welcome the Bill. There are 49 sections in it so I will be brief. In Part 3 on air pollution, does that apply to people burning peat, turf and sticks in rural areas? That is what many of them depend on because of the price of fuel. I understand the Minister's approach to providing for...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed). (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I accept the Minister's point. Nevertheless, the holding of a by-election a short time before a general, local or European election represents an unfortunate waste of money and there should be some reasonable attempt to address that in the Bill. I will withdraw the amendment, but I reserve the right to resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed). (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3.—Section 6 (amended by section 9 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009) of the Act of 1997 is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1): "(1A) Prior to the publication of the report referred to in subsection (1) the Constituency Commission shall produce an interim report...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: With the help of north Tipperary.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is a very important point and has been eloquently headlined by my colleague. I will not discuss it in great detail. I understand the membership of the commission will comprise a judge who will chair it, the Clerk of the Seanad, the Clerk of the Dáil, the Ombudsman and the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Could the Minister of...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: Political reform must start from the bottom up. Some Senators are confusing political reform with a reduction in the number of public representatives. I fundamentally disagree with that view. I understand the Minister intends to reduce the number of county and city councillors prior to the next local government elections. Is that the case? The Minister of State did not answer my question...

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is piecemeal.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: What about the 20 seats?

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: What about the 20 seats mentioned in the Fine Gael manifesto?

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: With respect, Senator, the people will not be given the opportunity-----

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: -----to reduce the number of Deputies because there will not be a referendum.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: This is the soft option.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(2B) The provisions of subsection (2A) shall not apply where an election is due either— (a) within nine months of Local and European elections, or (b) within nine months of the date upon which Dáil Éireann must be dissolved, pursuant to the provisions of section 33 of the Electoral Act 1992, provided...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is very reasonable.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2011: Committee Stage (21 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to the House. In his absence yesterday, I congratulated him on the efficient manner in which he dealt with NAMA and the 28 ghost estates for which it is responsible. Prior to the general election, Fianna Fáil put forward progressive proposals for electoral reform. We object to the reduction of the number of Deputies in light of a population...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs back to a familiar setting for her. This is the first opportunity I have had to wish her will in her important Ministry This is a Seanad Bill which as been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 118, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2011)

Diarmuid Wilson: The subject matter of the second group, amendments Nos. 2, 4, 5, 17 and 20, is the Adoption Act 2010.