Results 4,801-4,820 of 4,905 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I ask the Leas-Chathaoirleach to forgive me for laughing to myself. Fianna Fáil has proven over the years that it is prepared to knuckle down and get the job done without running to RTE with soundbites and trying to look well on television. The Labour Party and its comrades talk the talk in regard to helping the less well-off in society.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: When it comes to the crunch—

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: —they have never delivered to those they claim to represent. Fianna Fáil in Government introduced the minimum wage which is helping hundreds of thousands of low paid workers. Long-term unemployment, which is recognised as one of the greatest causes of poverty, has been successfully tackled and reduced to 1.4%, a figure well below the EU average. What did the Labour Party do the last time...

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995, the Labour Party was given the opportunity to put its rhetoric into practice. Former Minister Proinsias de Rossa increased the old age pension by £1.80.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I do not wish to sound like the man I mentioned earlier and to whom we are not supposed to refer, but the Labour Party Members must have a brass neck to move tonight's motion. Thankfully, it was not long before the people of Ireland voted Labour and those who paid it lip-service out of office and elected a Government which has acted to address the needs of the less well-off.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: During the 1997 election campaign, Fianna Fáil promised to increase the old age pension to at least €127 per week during its term of Government and we delivered.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: During the 2002 election campaign, we promised to increase the State pension to €200 per week. Over our term of office, of which there are hopefully three years left, we will deliver on this promise. We are well on the way to doing so. We should not forget that over the three budgets of the rainbow coalition, the Labour Party Minister for Finance gave the pensioners who helped to create the...

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: The 2004 Estimates should be considered in the context of the Government's overall strategy to ensure the economy is as well placed as possible to benefit from the global recovery. We must also protect the tremendous gains made since 1997. I echo the words of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, who said earlier this week that she was pleased to have secured an...

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: That will be announced in the budget. It does not surprise me that Senator Cummins and his party can do nothing but rake up mud and throw it.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: It would better become Senator Cummins, Fine Gael and the members of the Labour Party to develop a few workable policies. The people might then be interested in voting for them way down the line. I am proud to be here to speak in favour of the amendment and to defend the Government and the policies of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is worth restating that the published Estimates do not include the additional social welfare increases which will be announced in the budget.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: And vote Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Irish Prison Service. (19 Nov 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, for coming to the House. The need to retain and maximise the use of Loughan House, Blacklion, County Cavan, as a prison and place of detention is of the utmost importance. Loughan House is situated in Blacklion, County Cavan, on the borders of Counties Cavan, Fermanagh and Leitrim. This area has suffered mass emigration,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I wish to share time with Senator White, if that is acceptable. I welcome the Minister and his officials. Those of us who use taxis or hackneys on a regular basis know exactly the reason this is essential legislation. The Minister and other speakers have highlighted the fundamentals of the legislation and the role of the advisory council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation. When enacted,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Deputy Enda Kenny boasted on radio about an increase in membership of Fine Gael. Fair play to him. Fine Gael has 8,000 new members but there is still no structure, no leadership and no policy. There are 8,000 new taxi licences but still no structures, no policies and no leadership. Joining Fine Gael is a little like joining the taxi industry – new recruits to both Fine Gael and the taxi...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: —in the case of taxis, a monopoly on the number of taxi plates in the country, or, in the case of Fine Gael, a monopoly on morality and wisdom. The taxi industry needs a taxi regulator as proposed by the Minister. I support his stance on the matter. The changes highlighted in this legislation will put in place the important structures to prevent the decline in standards that all of us have...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Distinguished.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: One should not disclose one's membership of the Progressive Democrats.

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him and the Minister, Deputy Brennan, on the excellent work they are doing in the Department of Transport. I congratulate my colleague, Senator Morrisey, and his colleagues in the Progressive Democrats for putting down this motion, with which I fully agree. As a Cavan man working in Dublin for the past year, I have been struck by the enormity...

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Railway Procurement Agency is in the process of developing an integrated ticketing system. In two years' time, the present bus, train and DART tickets could be replaced by a single smart card, covering all types of public transport.