Results 4,921-4,940 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Supported Care Home Standards (14 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe. It is not a personal attack on him, but when I put down an Adjournment motion and there is not a Minister from the relevant Department present, I always place on record that one should be here. I have never been involved in a debate with Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, and I hope he will have positive news for me on this issue. It concerns the...

Seanad: Supported Care Home Standards (14 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I have been here for eight years and, for whatever reason, this is the fourth, if not the fifth, year in which I have had the last Adjournment matter on the last sitting day. It has been a long term and most people are looking forward to the break. I wish the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Minister of State and the staff of the Houses a good break in the coming weeks.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (14 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I join with my colleagues in expressing sympathy to Peggy, Róisín, Michael, David and the extended family. I got to know Joe pretty well over the years. As Senator Cummins mentioned, he was a lifelong great political friend of my neighbour and political mentor, Dick Dowling. They shared many interests, as well as sharing an office, for a long time. On my first day as a Senator after the...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I now want to make a lengthy contribution on the value of Seanad Éireann. I thank the Minister and his officials as well. I am only substituting for my colleague, Senator Regan, whose daughter is being conferred in the practice of law today and who could not be here. I welcome the provisions of the Bill. I cannot say much on the issue of the Seanad other than that I agree with most of...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Senator McDonald, without interruption, please.

Seanad: Carers in Ireland: Statements (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. For months this side of the House has been seeking a debate on care of the elderly. I will make a couple of specific points at the end of my contribution, but first I will speak about carers and the undervalued role they play in society. I echo Senator Mary White's comments on young carers and the lack of support available to those who...

Seanad: Carers in Ireland: Statements (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Will the Minister of State address my points?

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Carers in Ireland: Statements (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I certainly am not an ageist. Senator Ross made a good point about capital punishment. We are all appalled by the prospect of what is about to happen in Iran. However, we are slow to point out what happens regularly across the Atlantic. I am a strong supporter of the United States but when it comes to its capital punishment policy, we should not be afraid to point out our difficulties...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: There are serious questions why the premises in the town centre were chosen. Senator Norris and I have raised the closure of Bethany House, a supported care home in Carlow town centre which equally could be used.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Despite this, €1,000 a day is being spent to rent this new premises in Carlow town. I agree with Senators Bradford, Mullen and others on the guillotining of legislative debates in the House. It is not a practice we should adopt or encourage. I supported the civil partnership legislation last week but I also respect the rights of people to raise issues of concern to them about the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I thought the Acting Chairman, Deputy Coghlan, was about to overlook me. Given that I have agreed to postpone the taking of my Private Members' motion to facilitate an extension of the debate, I wish to welcome the Minister and take an opportunity to express my opinions on the Bill. I spent my first five years in the Seanad sharing an office with former Senator Sheila Terry who, on behalf of...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: It is very difficult to follow Senator Norris in full flourish. I do not know how many minutes I will use but I welcome the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. I commend him on much of the work he has done in recent years in the financial sector. Although I do not agree with everything and not everything he has done has been right, I trust his judgment and I wish him well in his...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I am not joining anything yet.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: In light of the engagement the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has accepted for August, he might be coming over to this side. I wish to make a couple of points on the Bill, although I do not want to repeat everything that has been said on the financial disaster which the country finds itself in currently, especially our difficulties in banking and bank regulation. I echo the comments of...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I second that. What day next week will we have a debate on carers? I understood it was to take place this week but I would like to confirm we will have it next week. I second Senator Healy Eames's amendment to the Order of Business to hold a debate today on the issue she and other Senators raised regarding HSE cut backs in respite care. Since I entered politics and public life, notable...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jul 2010)

John Paul Phelan: I join Senator Cummins and others in expressing regret over the downgrading of St. Luke's Hospital. I acknowledge the work it has done and the care it has provided to thousands of patients who received treatment in the facility over the years. Its work was brought home to me a couple of years ago when the eight year old son of my cousin had cancer. He received his treatment in St. Luke's....