Results 4,701-4,720 of 4,937 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Expressions of Sympathy on the Death of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: ——one of whom is a Member of this House, were named John Paul in honour of the Pope. There could be no more fitting tribute than to be called after that great man. On his visit to this country in 1979, the Pope spoke many thousands of words, some of which I can still recall. I was a young person at the time, so it meant so much to me too when the Pope said, "Young people of Ireland, I...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State and officials back to the House, just as I welcomed the Minister, who was present earlier. The Taoiseach is on record as having said that the solution to our congestion on the M50, according to traffic engineers, is the implementation of the M50 upgrade together with barrier-free tolling. I confess I am not very familiar with the toll bridge and use it only ten...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: Some Senators who are on the left of the political spectrum will be amazed to hear that. The tolls charged in China are substantially higher than those charged on the M1 and the M50. There is no reason Ireland should be any different. The toll charges on the M1 do not attract serious criticism. Initially, lorry drivers objected because they were obliged to pay a toll. However, when they...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: He then went on to state that we should take them back. I was very surprised to hear a former high-ranking member of the trade union movement——

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator O'Toole is regarded by his colleagues in union circles as being to the right of union politics. They would be delighted to realise that he is on the extreme left of union and, indeed, national politics.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am currently reading a book, at a very slow pace, by the historian Diarmaid Ferriter.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is entitled, The Transformation of Ireland 1900-2000.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: It tells the story of John A. Costello, who served as Taoiseach in the inter-party Government in 1948.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: This is in the national interest.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: On, or shortly after, his appointment, Mr. Costello contacted the head of the Department of Transport and informed him that the then Government was not in the business of building racetracks for plutocrats.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: There would be no need for this debate if Mr. Costello's philosophy had been followed this evening.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister and his officials back to the House. I am pleased to second this Bill. It provides for the introduction of a series of social welfare improvements announced in the budget in December 2004. It also provides for a number of amendments to the Pensions Act 1990. The Minister has done a marvellous job in securing the largest ever budget for his Department in the history of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Terry should listen for a moment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995 the Senator's party, along with the Labour Party and the then Democratic Left, had the opportunity to put its rhetoric into practice.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: They failed to do so and they not only failed but failed miserably. I remind the Senator, while she is in listening mode, that £1.80 was the sum received by pensioners from her Government in 1995. In the three budgets for which that Government was responsible, pensioners were given the enormous amount of £3.80. The Senator should not come into this House on behalf of her party and try to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator obviously did not listen.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: They are on the way. It takes time to train them.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: It takes time to train people. One cannot simply ask them to wear a uniform and then deploy them.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I agree with that.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: The tracks are in much better condition than when Fine Gael was in power.