Results 6,241-6,260 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator Norris's previous remarks about the Order of Business. We should extend the timeframe available to Senators to debate issues on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

John Paul Phelan: It is the best part of the day in which to raise topical issues.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

John Paul Phelan: In the period between 1982 and 1987 the Fianna Fáil Party engaged in certain activities, particularly in regard to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, which showed distinct partitionism and opportunism. If I was in that party I would not recall that period. I also recall the 1987 election when Fianna Fáil adopted the slogan "Health cuts hurt the old, the sick and the handicapped." As soon as the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Yesterday we received a series of rehashed broken promises on transport. Senator Bannon raised the issue of agriculture and it is important that we discuss this, particularly in view of the World Trade Organisation talks and Commissioner Mandelson's scandalous approach to them. He seems prepared to raise the white flag even before the talks commence and to think that agriculture can be...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Senator McHugh for sharing his time and I thank the Leader of the House for arranging the debate. Most points have already been covered. Senator McHugh is correct in noting that there are not great differences between Members as far as this issue is concerned. I wish to reiterate an issue raised by Senator McCarthy, namely, the role of local authorities with regard to housing...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I did not get very far when the Leader was here and I will, therefore, ask the Acting Leader to arrange a discussion on national educational psychological services and their uneven distribution throughout the country. Coverage is 18% in County Kilkenny while other parts of the country, such as County Kerry, have 100% coverage. It would be appropriate for the Minister for Education and Science...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I second the amendment moved by Senator Feighan in the names of the Fine Gael Senators. I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, to the House. It is appropriate that the House is having a debate on sport on the same evening as an important soccer match in Lansdowne Road. I am sure the Minister is planning to go to the match — it is only right that he should be in attendance.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I was unable to get a ticket for the match. If the Minister has a spare ticket, he might send it in my direction. It is appropriate that the Minister with responsibility for sport should attend the match on this important night for Irish sport. The motion proposed by the Government Senators this evening is typical of the motions they have tabled during Private Members' time since I was...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Unlike my colleagues, Senator Kieran Phelan from County Laois and Senator Feighan from County Roscommon, I am in the fortunate position as a Kilkenny man of being able to support my home county in Croke Park on a few occasions every year.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: We did not reach the all-Ireland hurling final, unfortunately.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with the comments of Senators about the facilities in Croke Park, which is a fantastic stadium. Full credit needs to be given not only to those who had the vision to propose the redevelopment of the stadium in the first instance, but also to the successive Governments which helped to fund the project. The proportion of the overall cost of the redevelopment of Croke Park that was met...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Or Cork.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: It is his job.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I support the motion put forward by my colleagues in the Labour Party. They are, no doubt, surprised by some of the content in the Government's amendment. The core issue in this debate and in arguments about tax evasion and the taxation system is equity. The facts presented in the motion clearly show that some people are, to borrow a phrase, treated more equally than others by the State....

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: We have seen a remarkable transformation, despite what the Taoiseach might say about his newborn socialism — which neither I nor anyone else believes — to a point where Fianna Fáil is the party of the tent at the Galway Races and of big business.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: The fact is that the sympathies of this Government continue to lie with those who are very well off as opposed to those who are at the lower end of society, struggling to make ends meet. I regret this and have no doubt that when people get a chance to express their views on it, they will be more than willing to do so. If one examines the figures presented by the Labour Party, the point...

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: We must bring the full rigours of the law to bear on those engaged in tax evasion as well as those engaged in social welfare fraud.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator O'Meara regarding the rumblings from the Health Service Executive and the possible implications for the provision of hospital services around the country if they are to be administered through four regional bases rather than through ten such bases. As Members of the Oireachtas we should be given an opportunity to let our views on that matter be known. I am aware that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I agree that a debate on the MRSA superbug would be welcome. I was going to say that a gentleman from Carlow spoke to me this morning about it, but I did not. I agree with Senator Ulick Burke with regard to a debate with the Minister for Education and Science. I would welcome an opportunity in the new session to discuss the Minister's proposals. From what I have read this morning, the...