Results 4,421-4,440 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Sep 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 1169. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will place on the record the Government's welcome for the Russian Federation's release of political prisoners Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev last year; if he will urge the Russian Federation to also immediately and unconditionally release all remaining political prisoners; and his views on the imprisonment for more than 11...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Sep 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 1170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps his Department is, or has taken, to highlight the situation of the Rohingya people in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (15 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 746. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Iarnród Éireann plans to have a second track side by side with the current Waterford to Dublin line; if so, when is this likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31143/14]

Court of Appeal Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity to make some brief points on the Court of Appeal Bill, which I welcome and support. I saw only part of the Minister's contribution in which she outlined that she hopes to have the court in operation by the start of the next legal term. This is an issue that has been waiting to be resolved for a number of years and the introduction of this legislation...

Electoral (Amendment) (Hours of Polling) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I commend Deputy Doyle on introducing this Bill, which I support. It is the first step in reforming how we run elections and I congratulate him on it. I am of the view that a 15-hour working day is very long. While I tend to agree with the point Deputy Buttimer made regarding how we, as practising politicians, are used to dealing with presiding officers and clerks at polling stations at...

Electoral (Amendment) (Hours of Polling) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: -----but perhaps I will do so in advance of the next election. Over 100 people, whether it was those with illnesses and disabilities, their supporters or the volunteers accompanying them, were disenfranchised on both occasions because the two events coincided. Deputy Feighan made an interesting comment regarding the difference between local authorities. In that context, I am puzzled as to...

Electoral (Amendment) (Hours of Polling) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I am just replying to the very serious political point - in fact it went beyond politics - Deputy Cowen made about the banking inquiry being fatally flawed. He might avail of the opportunity at some stage to explain whether this is a personal view or that of his party’s on the workings of the banking inquiry.

Valuation Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: In all my time here I do not think I have seen Deputy Durkan finishing four and a half minutes before his allotted time is up.

Valuation Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

John Paul Phelan: We should mark the occasion. I too support and echo Deputy Durkan’s sentiments on this Bill. I have been involved with the GAA all my life, albeit in a club that does not have a bar on its premises. There are many sporting clubs throughout the country, not only GAA clubs but all sorts of clubs, that have bar facilities which are open, at least some of the time, to the public. It is...

Beef Industry: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Jun 2014)

John Paul Phelan: It is opportune that we are having a discussion on the beef industry this week. As Deputy Seán Kyne said, Ireland has a great system of beef production and a great product to sell, but there is no doubt that people involved in the industry are under severe pressure to say the least. I am referring to people who are not normally looking at the glass half empty. They are under severe...

Cooke Report: Statements (19 Jun 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the appointment of the new Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald. I have not yet had the opportunity to do so in the House, so I wish her the best of luck. She was my boss in a previous existence elsewhere in this building. Her character will be well suited to the difficult role she will have to fulfil in the coming period in Government. I wish to echo what...

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (12 Jun 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I echo the comments of Deputy Coffey on non-ionising radiation and EMF. Now that we are re-establishing the EPA, incorporating the role of the RPII, perhaps its remit can be broadened to include that area. I echo the points made in respect of radon. As someone from the south east, our area of the country seems to have the highest levels of radon measured. I commend the work of the RPII...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (10 Jun 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a pupil (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been receiving the help of a special needs assistant since 2009 has had their special needs assistant hours taken away in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24217/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (27 May 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regard to progress concerning the merger of two schools (details provided) in County Kilkenny; when he expects this amalgamation to be completed; when he believes that a new amalgamated school building will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22436/14]

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the legislation and particularly the main provisions, some of which were outlined by Deputy Lawlor. Tenant purchase is a mechanism that would allow tenants of local authorities to buy their properties and own them independently but the process was suspended some time ago. This legislation allows for a new tenant purchase scheme, which is to be welcomed. There are also changes...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (13 May 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to address the issue of excessively large class sizes at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20969/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (13 May 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the position regarding the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20970/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (13 May 2014)

John Paul Phelan: 240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the position regarding an extension to schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20971/14]

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I add my voice in support of this legislation the Minister has introduced. As previous speakers noted, when the original provision was introduced to bar people from membership of what was a different Parliament, it was during the Victorian era when a rather Dickensian view of bankruptcy was held by all and the idea of debtors' prisons was current. I was struck by Deputy Catherine Murphy's...

Central Bank Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Apr 2014)

John Paul Phelan: I will take up where Deputy Dara Murphy finished. I was shocked at some of the media commentary over the past 24 hours, particularly that concerning the finance spokesperson of the main Opposition party. He tried to cast all sorts of doubt on the negotiated agreement of Deputy Noonan, which saw the end of the promissory note. This was a positive step for the country financially. Last...