Results 4,461-4,480 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I also support the calls of my colleagues for a debate on public sector reform. I empathise with the front-line staff in many of our public agencies, many of whom are demoralised by the prevailing comments in this regard. It is not their fault as they try to deliver services on a daily basis. However, it is the idea of the public service, its bulk and management that requires attention and...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, subsection (1), line 7, to delete "works or services" and substitute "works, services and tenancy services". I refer to section 11 and we are talking about housing services, which are an important function of local authorities across social and affordable housing, grants, loans, etc. Section 11 refers to ancillary services. If we examine where local...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I am heartened to hear the Minister of State talking in this fashion. I am willing to withdraw amendments Nos. 6 and 7 for the time being. I hope the Minister of State can examine the matter and provide for further developments at a later stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I support the general thrust of the amendment. Consultation should be a two-way street. Where housing authorities have gone to the trouble of preparing a housing services plan for their administrative area, it should be forwarded to the Minister, every local authority adjoining them and the Health Service Executive. I have not tabled an amendment but it should probably be forwarded to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 26: In page 16, subsection 4, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: "(c) ensure adequate provision of housing to prevent and reduce homelessness.". Chapter 3 relates to the question of social housing support. The Bill should place homelessness as a top priority. This amendment is intended to advance that idea. The amendment aims to ensure that housing...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Together with a number of other Senators, I acknowledged the progressive nature and general thrust of the Bill, which will certainly improve housing services. We are adamant that homelessness should be given a higher priority in this Bill. The amendment merely seeks to insert an additional subsection (c) to section 19(4) to "ensure adequate provision of housing to prevent and reduce...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Will the Minister of State clarify once more where he proposes to allow for the implementation of the homelessness strategy in this legislation? While I am sorry to ask him to reiterate this, I would appreciate it if he would do so because this is a very important matter. I do not doubt the Minister of State's genuine concerns in this area and I acknowledge the work he has done on the...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I do not for one minute doubt the genuine attempts of the Minister of State who, while he has been in office for a relatively short time, has done enormous work in the whole area of housing and homelessness, which I publicly acknowledge. However, I concur with Senator Norris. I am a relatively new Senator, having only been here since July last year, but I have a lot of respect for this...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: That is not good enough.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: It is generally agreed that this is a positive and progressive Bill dealing with housing. It would be a shame for it to progress beyond the House without a clear definition of homelessness. It is a significant challenge which we face and this is an ideal opportunity to address that challenge. This amendment serves to define and clearly enshrine or acknowledge in legislation what it means...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I support the call of my colleague, Senator O'Reilly, for a debate on the education cuts and the impact the recent budget will have on education. While I have the greatest of respect for Senator Ormonde and I appreciate she was a teacher, these cuts are about the children and the impact they will have on their education, extracurricular activities and their educational development, not about...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: What about the children?

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I spoke about the children, not the teachers.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Senator Cassidy did not mention children once.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Fine Gael also would like to see included a definition of homelessness. A housing Bill is passing through the Oireachtas without a clear definition of homelessness which is one of the most significant challenges facing us with regard to housing. Will the Minister of State take on board the views of the House? It is clear that strong views are held on a clear definition of homelessness....

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister of State for hearing the Adjournment matter. This issue refers to regional airports, specifically Waterford regional airport and the southeast region. Waterford regional airport has increased its passenger numbers each year, it has developed new European destinations and routes and a huge effort has been put into increasing and developing accessibility to the region,...

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister of State for his frank response to my query. My fears have more or less been confirmed. I agree that safety and security must be a priority in any airport and this should remain the case. I acknowledge there are no contractual commitments, but the airport has made serious progress on its planning and proposals to develop its runway and to extend and widen it to allow...

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I did not. I said "clear commitment".

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I wish to make a clarification with regard to the allegation of negativity. I took great care to have a very positive contribution on Waterford and I think the Minister of State has acknowledged that. Anybody who knows me and the representations I make on behalf of Waterford knows I always speak positively in any forum or debate. I acknowledge the detailed response of the Minister of State...

Seanad: Radon Protection Measures: Statements (13 Nov 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this important item. We need to prioritise it at every level, not only at Parliament, but also in every agency with a role in raising the public awareness of the challenges posed by radon gas. Last week I attended the forum hosted by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland at the Royal College of Physicians. It was very...