Results 6,061-6,080 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I do not share his acceptance of nuclear energy. We must examine every other renewable energy option. The Government has taken tentative steps towards examining those options but it has not done enough. The two principal issues are the cost of energy and the problem of supply into the future. If we cannot resolve those two problems, consumers will continue to find their ESB and gas bills...

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: He is still on the go.

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State and his official. I am delighted the Independent Senators tabled this motion, which I fully support. I am surprised an amendment has been tabled. I did not hear all the debate or the Minister of State's contribution but I heard some of the Government speakers. I have been calling for a debate on energy for a long time, so this one is timely. Senator Browne is...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, whose opening remarks I did not hear. We have had a number of debates on the important issue of waste management in my four years in the Seanad. As a former member of a local authority, I am well aware of the difficulties that exist throughout the country with regard to the disposal of waste. A number of Senators on both sides have referred to the considerable...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I am completely opposed to incineration and was never in favour of it. I agree with previous speakers who referred to packaging waste. Many of us buy products wrapped in four layers of packaging. Legislation was passed some years ago to reduce packaging but this has not had an effect on the majority of products. This should be addressed as soon as possible. The Government has provided some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Finance to discuss a number of issues. There has been a worrying increase in inflation and this month's figure is the highest in four years. While the Minister is here perhaps we could raise the issue of decentralisation. We had a debate on it two months ago in which the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, outlined the Government's firm commitment...

Seanad: Deaths of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy. (16 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Cathaoirleach and am grateful for his indulgence. I did not know the late John M. Mannion but from colleagues I have heard many stories and yarns about this activities and politics down the years. I want to extend sympathy to his family. However, I knew Pat Codd very well for the past number of years. He was very involved in politics even up to his sudden death and was interested...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I will also speak on the issue raised by Senator Daly and join with him in calling on the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to attend the House for a debate. Media sources this morning reported that Bord Gáis is considering another price rise of between 30% and 50%. We are all familiar with the huge hikes in electricity bills in the past couple of years and it is an...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I thought the game seemed to be to blame Enda Kenny.

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: It is Enda Kenny's fault then.

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I will make a few points on the difficulties in accident and emergency. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power. I understand that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, deputised earlier for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who could not make it to the House...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I object to listening to someone in this House, or even in my office for that matter, giving a reading. This is a Chamber for debate, not for reading. Senator Minihan could make a contribution with the benefit of a few notes, to which we all have to refer from time to time, but he should not read everything he says. The only thing the Senator did not read was his personal attack on Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 May 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I join with previous speakers, especially Senators Tuffy and O'Toole, who raised the issue of the letter from ComReg to different community groups, and to church groups in particular, with regard to ending broadcasts. Yesterday, I was shocked and appalled when I learned of this proposal. A number of my constituents contacted me and a parish priest from my native southern County Kilkenny...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I join with colleagues in expressing disgust at the murder of Mr. Donaldson in County Donegal. Senator Ó Murchú said that republicans had fully decommissioned but I do not see how this is so, in light of yesterday's shooting. Clearly, the guns used in that incident have not been decommissioned and nobody would doubt the involvement of people calling themselves, however loosely,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I move recommendation No. 2: In page 9, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Principal Act is amended in section 466A by the substitution of the following for subsection (2): '(2) Where in any year of assessment an individual proves that he or she is a qualifying claimant he or she shall be entitled to a tax credit (to be known as the 'home carer tax credit') of a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I do not agree exactly with what Senator McDowell has said. He is correct that the home carer's allowance was introduced as a sop to backbenchers at the time of the introduction individualisation scheme. The Minister has pointed out that its amount at €770 has not been increased since it was introduced. If the proposal I have put forward were to be implemented the Minister says that it...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I move recommendation No. 3: In page 9, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following new section 15A: '15A.—(1) In any year of assessment where monies are paid to any state or other body in respect of which the individual making such payments would be entitled to a tax credit or an allowance for income tax the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: No.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: I move recommendation No. 4: In page 9, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—A person, none of whose taxable income is chargeable at the higher rate, who makes a pension contribution within the limit set out in section 779 of the Principal Act, shall be entitled to receive a tax credit contributed to the pension scheme equivalent to relief at the higher rate.". One of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

John Paul Phelan: A Leas-Chathaoirligh, should that not have been mentioned in the letter I received from the Cathaoirleach?