Results 4,861-4,880 of 4,908 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Unlike the Fine Gael Party, there is discipline in our party and the country has benefited from it and will continue to do so.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand from the Minister's speech that the Barrington report of 1990 recommended the abolition of the dual mandate. I welcome Senator Coonan to the House. He is not here that often. He had to sleep in because he kept us all up late last night.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I understand the Commission on the Status of Women and the National Youth Council have also called for the abolition of the dual mandate. Contrary to reports from Members on all sides, the General Council of County Councils called for the abolition of the dual mandate for Deputies, not for Senators. As a member of the General Council of County Councils I clarify that. On behalf of the GCCC I...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senators will no longer be entitled to sit on local councils.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: We in the General Council of County Councils believe that one way of ensuring communication between national and local policymakers is maintained at a vibrant level is for the channels of communication provided by the General Council of County Councils to be used to the full. The general council, with its representation from each of the county and city councils, is well placed to channel...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am pleased Senator Bannon can read. I welcome the fact that the Minister will introduce regulations to compel county councils and health boards and so on to respond to the queries of Deputies and Senators. Neither I nor my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, has any difficulty in dealing with our manager, whom I believe to be the best manager in the country, or his staff.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I agree with Senator McCarthy in relation to time off for PAYE workers. Regulations should be put in place to allow these workers time off to attend council meetings. The term of the council should be extended from five to seven years. As one who was elected only in 1999 it took time to get to grips with council business. When I became a Member of the Seanad it became even more difficult....

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: He has also claimed that his "ears are red" from all the Fianna Fáil Deputies and Senators telephoning him to give him the €500 he needs.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I ask Senator Bannon, who belongs to a party which is interested in freedom of information, to ask his colleague from Westport—

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Let him name the people from this side of the House—

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: —he claims have contacted him. He will have difficulty doing so because no one has contacted him.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: That is the reality. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I would like confirmation from the Minister in regard to the constitutionality of the Bill because I have some concerns about it.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: If Senator Bannon is not able to listen and follow a train of thought, it is not my problem. Will the Minister consider the constitutionality of the Bill? I do not wish to vote in favour of it and then contradict myself by standing at the local elections a year from now.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank the Minister and the former Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, a great neighbour from County Meath, for the efforts they have invested in the area of local government. I compliment the Minister on the strides he is making towards better local government. It is with regret that I will vote for the Bill, but I am confident the Minister will not lead us down the wrong path. I look forward to...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: I will vote in that way if the majority of Opposition Members, who wish to vote with the Minister, do so.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: Fine Gael scrapped it.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: He only had four hours sleep in the past 48 hours.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: We are not looking 30 years ahead.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Diarmuid Wilson: We are looking ten, not 30, years ahead.