Results 5,041-5,060 of 5,173 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: On the basis of the Davy Stockbrokers report, the FÁS projection that one quarter of building workers are about to lose their jobs and the shortfall in taxes of €430 million in May, the debate is warranted and urgent. The Government must accept responsibility for the lack of money following the boom and the lack of improved public services, which also merits debate. In debating the NDP,...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: Is it in order to point out that people have come here especially and are waiting for this? It is not fair to them.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: There are people here who have been waiting all night.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I will withdraw the amendment in order to resubmit it.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 26: In page 43, subsection (2), line 34, after "minutes" to insert "in either hour".

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I congratulate Senator Mullen on tabling these amendments on which he has invested considerable thought and work. I do not have a difficulty with cases such as that of an advertisement for the Franciscan order which the Senator cited or advertisements for other religious exercises or efforts.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: While I believe we could amend the legislation to permit this type of advertising, I am concerned by the possibility that removing a prohibition on religious advertising could be used by the Church of Scientology and other sinister sects to influence young people in a negative manner. Senator Mullen clearly has no such ambition and I support his objective of clearing the way for the...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: Is it in order to speak to amendments Nos. 25 and 26, to hear the Minister's response to them and then return to speak on amendment No. 105?

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I find it easier to deal with the amendments in this way. I move amendment No. 25: In page 43, subsection (2), line 33, to delete "any hour" and substitute "any two hours". Amendments Nos. 25 and 26 seek to achieve something simple and practical. The Bill provides that there should be only ten minutes of advertisements in any hour, a principle which is accepted across the House as being in...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I am disappointed the Minister has not accepted the amendment or at least the spirit of it and considered other ways of dealing with this matter. In light of the fact that the Minister will not yet accept it, we will try further persuasion on Report Stage and I hope the Minister reflects in the interim.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: On earlier amendments, I stated I was a great supporter of the concept of a film channel. It is welcome and I congratulate everybody concerned with that initiative. I am delighted it has been included in the legislation. Senator Mullen tabled a well thought out amendment relating to a heritage channel. Amendment No. 105 provides for five minutes per hour of advertising on the film...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I accept that.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I commend Senator Mullen on tabling this worthy amendment which merits serious consideration. I also take note of the observations and qualifications Senator Norris made in respect of it which also merit serious consideration in terms of how one might practically implement the spirit of the amendment. The number of people aged over 65 years continues to rise. There is much use of the...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: "Scrap Saturday" was much more superior.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I support Senator Mullen's worthy amendment because the concept of a heritage channel is a good one. I said on Second Stage that I am a complete believer in and enthusiastic advocate for the film channel and the Oireachtas channel. The former has considerable potential. I will move an amendment about the financing of this to which we will come later. It has immense potential to uplift and...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 20: In page 38, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following subsection: "(2) The levy referred to in subsection 15 shall be capped at a maximum annual figure to be determined by the Minister, following consultation with both the Authority and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Such levy will be laid before the Houses of...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: On the basis of the Minister's commitment to introduce a proposal on Report Stage, I am happy to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I am prepared to accept that as incorporating the spirit of the amendment. I would have preferred to see the amendment included in the legislation but if we have a commitment that there will be a provision on Report Stage for monitoring quality and quantity, I am pleased to accept the response on that basis. Regarding the response of the Minister to the amendment concerning the Irish...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Reilly: I regret the Minister is unable to accept my amendments. While the Bill is aspirational, the inclusion of a mandatory quota would give practical expression to that aspiration. The vast majority of people, taxpayers and licence fee payers, want this. I believe that they have a right to want it. I challenge anybody to engage in market research that would establish the contrary. I know I am...