Results 5,181-5,200 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: -----do not seem to take it seriously as a product. I ask that the Government take initiatives to ensure that food tourism can be developed across the country.

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: They could use an ox.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I join Senator Quinn and others in asking the Leader to arrange a debate on the budget tomorrow night following its announcement in the Dáil. In my seven years as a Member of this House we have always had such debate. I do not believe it is particularly fair to ask the Labour Party to suspend the debate on its Private Members' Bill for a second time. Members will be aware it suspended the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: It is difficult to-----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I join with previous speakers in raising the issue of public sector reform. I express the view enunciated by Senator Ross earlier about the arrangements for negotiating these deals. Cosy behind the scenes deals are a large part of what got us in this difficulty. I support Senator Twomey's amendment to the Order of Business. It is only fitting that the Minister for Finance should come to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I refer to the ordering of business yesterday. There was an allotted time for the Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009 which was put back by one hour and then by a half an hour. None of the spokespersons for the parties, including Senator Ryan, who raised this on behalf of the Labour Party, was informed of any of the changes to the Order of Business which were made on the hoof. It is...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I support Senator Ryan's amendment which is similar to my amendment No. 8. There is a small difference in that the Labour Party amendment seeks to reduce the size of the board further than is proposed in the Bill. Both amendments seek to include a worker director. I do not understand the logic behind removing the worker director from the board. I understand that legislation enacted in...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I am sure the director general will be a person of the utmost quality. However, it is not that long since the ordinary staff of FÁS would have felt their views would not have been adequately represented by the person who filled that position. Therefore, that provision is not particularly acceptable. The Bill proposes to reduce significantly the number of people on the board, but the board...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 8: In page 11, after line 41, to insert the following: "2) Of the ordinary members, one shall be a worker director.".

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: The two amendments are related, although mine is slightly different. They are designed to ensure the Oireachtas would be enabled to scrutinise whoever was appointed to the board in the future. The Labour Party amendment refers to a Dáil committee whereas mine refers to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment which should have the final say. It is time the Government not...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: It should not be a bar. Nobody would say that.

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I do not accept the explanation of the Minister of State in refusing to accept either of these amendments. When any changes are proposed to how State boards are appointed, we are told that any change in the structure will result in qualified people being lost. Despite this, the Government has come some way down the road to reforming how these appointments are filled. Senator Ryan pointed...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 10: In page 12, paragraph (a), between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "(3) (a) The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment shall, for the purposes of making recommendations to the Minister under this section and making recommendation in respect of any casual vacancies or other vacancies as they arise on An Foras, may establish a panel, for...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 11: In page 13, line 23, after "Foras" to insert the following: "or any person whom is classified within An Foras as a Director or Assistance Director General,". This amendment seeks to extend the category of staff member in FÁS who can have his or her employment terminated for one of the listed reasons for non-performance of his or her duty. As stated previously, this...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I understand the Minister of State's logic and explanation but it seems ironic to propose legislation designed to ensure the activities uncovered in FÁS do not reoccur while completely ignoring the major source of the activities and difficulties which arose. I understand it is undesirable for the Minister to have a direct involvement. However, this amendment is very specific in that it...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Minister and his officials who were most accommodating towards me before the Bill reached Second Stage. I reiterate the earlier comments of Senator Ryan. There was a lack of information available concerning when Committee Stage would be taken. That was very unsatisfactory and I trust the Leader will be in a position to order the business of the House more clearly in future. I...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I fully support the point made by Senator Ryan.

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I echo the sentiments expressed by Senator Ryan. The amendment arises from what we have seen in the recent past in FÁS in terms of the payments that were made to the ex-director general of that organisation, the completely unsatisfactory manner in which the Tánaiste explained those payments and the complete lack of transparency as to how figures and settlements were arrived at. I fully...

Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2009)

John Paul Phelan: I second Senator Ryan's amendment. This particular type of phraseology is much used in legislation I have seen going through the House with regard to State agencies. It is important where serious consideration is given to whistleblowing legislation across the board in certain new items of legislation. I believe it is part of the renewed programme for Government that such provisions are...