Results 4,621-4,640 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Another quango for the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I wish to raise an issue that is timely and important for every individual in this country. The 2007 annual report of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been published. Most public and private organisations retain a great deal of personal data. It is relevant to every family in this country. Over recent months, we have heard about a number of farcical cases in which...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: They are too expensive.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I have listened on many occasions to Members from all sides of the House criticising the HSE and the services it often does not deliver. This happened again today and I concur with Senator Prendergast's views on the psychiatric services where there is a significant deficit. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, once referred to the HSE as a big ship that would not be...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the publication of the Green Paper on local government. Many of us have awaited its publication with bated breath. However, on an initial reading of it, I am very disappointed to see that it contains a great deal of rhetoric. It promises much and I am looking forward to a debate on its contents. There are many issues of interest in the paper. One suggestion is that there be...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Local government services are the most important services in this country for the ordinary citizen. Such services need reform and proper funding. I look forward to the debate on the Green Paper but what I have seen so far does not augur well for real local government reform. Some Senators mentioned rural isolation and services for the elderly. I have just conducted a series of meetings in...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: It is an issue that must be addressed. We must not forget that this country is predominantly rural. There is a substantial rural population in the country which is becoming more isolated by the day. We must take cognisance of that fact and act accordingly. Senator Mary White mentioned the importance of services for the elderly and I agree with her. I remind the House that the Bealtaine...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: This morning thousands of people are travelling from the countryside to the capital to voice their concerns with regard to the world trade talks. Mr. Barroso, the European Commission President, is in Dublin Castle today and people are leaving their farms and communities to come to the city to display their concerns with regard to the future of Irish agriculture. We all know that 20 May is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: We are having a series of meetings.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: We have had a series of regional meetings.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: The Leader should get his information correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: We all need to get our shoulder behind the wheel.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator should mind his business and we will mind ours.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I am sick of the Senator lecturing us.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I accept that the Minister has inherited a system that has existed for many generations, but the local government fund, of which motor tax is the bulwark, is a debate for another day. Unless all factors are right and there is a proper public transport system, there will be difficulties when people try to use public transport and the motor tax take starts to decline. Where will local...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the fact that vintage cars will be taxed at a lower rate than they would have been had they been part of the new Schedule. Many vintage vehicle clubs partake in good social events. Perhaps people could save on motor tax if they recycled very old cars instead of buying new cars.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: Yesterday, Senators raised the matter of car disposal. Is any element of motor tax similar to the electrical fund, namely, a person buying a new electrical appliance pays a small amount of tax for its eventual disposal? Has consideration been given to a similar scheme in respect of cars? Local authorities labour under a huge liability in respect of old vehicles that have been abandoned on...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I accept that people now drive better and more environmentally-friendly cars. The point I was trying to make, which the Minister picked up on, pertained to the disposal of redundant cars. Such cars have little resale value and I am told fully motorised vehicles can be acquired in some places for €30 or €40. Sometimes one sees them lying about in fields and on roadsides. Local...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister for attending all Stages of the Seanad's deliberations on this Bill and commend his officials on drafting it. Attitudes are beginning to change and we have turned a corner with regard to car purchase decisions. The general thrust of the Bill is positive and I hope it achieves its objectives. The Minister has assured me that he will keep motor tax under review. It is an...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2008)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to hear this issue on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. The issue is related to a 2005 application by Gaeilscoil Philib Barún in Tramore, County Waterford. The school management has applied for a permanent building because the school is currently housed in a completely prefabricated building. I am sure that everyone agrees that...