Results 5,581-5,600 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: I do not think the Minister of State recognises the magnitude of what he is proposing and the extent to which it undermines normal parliamentary democracy. The Minister of State is doing this on the basis of expediency, suggesting too much time and too many resources would be taken up if we were to deal with the legislative matters coming through from the European Union in the way we deal...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Fair play to the ICMSA because it has its finger on the pulse.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: The fishermen might have a word to say about this Bill if they had a chance to read it. Nobody, apart from the small number of people here today, knows what the Minister of State is doing on this matter. There has been no publicity flourish and no press conference was held to tell the country.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: The Minister of State spoke in the Seanad at the end of the last session and got the Bill through very easily because it was introduced in the Seanad in the first instance. That does not salve us of our responsibilities in this House and we must take a stand on the legislation and advise the Minister of State to rethink the matter. It is not too late to postpone this legislation and put in...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: As Deputy Naughten has a major contribution to make, it would be very useful for the Minister of State to have a few backbenchers behind him to listen to it.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Or the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: There will be a statutory instrument to abolish elections.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann declines to give the Bill a second reading on the following grounds: (a) 50 years after foundation of European Economic Community, the process of closer European co-operation is becalmed by reason of citizens' perception across Europe of a lack of democracy in the operation of the...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: That is the height of it, it is legislation by diktat and ministerial directive.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: It certainly goes back to the one-party State.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Democracy has very little say in this. If the people realised that we are debating an issue of such magnitude today, with their rights and liberties at the heart of the matter——

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: The Tánaiste said he did not see the match between Ireland and San Marino. I presume he was not at Croke Park last Saturday with 80,000-plus fans for the first game under lights——

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: ——and did not see the rather obnoxious behaviour of some of those fans after the match.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: My question relates to the large degree of public urination that took place in little side streets beside Croke Park——

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Is the Minister considering raising the derisory €2 fine applying to public urination? When will he impose on-the-spot fines as requested by the Garda Síochána for some time? As it is not an arrestable offence, does the Minister propose to make it an arrestable offence and impose on-the-spot fines?

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 131: To ask the Minister for Finance the latest information in relation to tax incentives for private hospitals developments regarding the number of applications made under the scheme; the number of applications that have been approved; the number of hospital beds to be supplied by the approved applications; the expected cost of the tax foregone on these developments; and if he will...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (7 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 186: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that €71 million was wrongly deducted from 1,100 companies by the Revenue Commissioners; the systems in place to ensure other taxpayers are not subject to double debiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/07]

European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: I am delighted to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs here. How to deal with the constitutional treaty is the central issue overshadowing every EU summit and meeting and, indeed, every meeting of the National Forum on Europe these days as the various party leaders have made their contributions on their vision for Europe. I saw nothing in the Taoiseach's speech to indicate a road map for a...

European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: Having heard the Minister's response to Deputy Gormley's question, I note he has an admirable track record in waste management in his own home.

European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)

Joe Costello: I do. The Minister might transmit his knowledge to the Minister for Finance who, in his forthcoming budget, might withdraw the provision in the last budget to spend €300 million to €400 million on purchasing carbon emission allowances from poorer countries. Thus, the members of the Government will all be singing from the same hymn-sheet. It is quite obvious the Minister for Foreign...