Results 6,281-6,300 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: It is inappropriate that the Government should engage in some type of side deals with developers to dispose of valuable city centre landbanks with the promise of social and affordable housing being built on the outskirts of Dublin city.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: There is no transparency in this arrangement. We have seen the establishment of a quango that will be packed with party political hacks of all description——

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Either the Taoiseach or his brother, who is the Minister of State responsible for housing, should be invited to come into the House to discuss the criteria used in disposing of the site that I understand has been passed on already. There has been no disclosure of the criteria used in disposing of that site.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: It is appropriate and important that we would have a debate on that issue before the House rises for the summer recess.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Is that where the social and affordable houses are being built?

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with the last point made by Senator Mansergh. He was going on so much in his initial remarks I expected him to mention the shilling on the old age pension.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Section 7, which was, I understand, discussed in some detail on Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil, empowers the Minister to employ people on a contract basis in the public service. Deputy Bruton raised a number of issues on Committee Stage on the Quigley report which dealt with the appointment of an individual to advise on public relations in the Office of Public Works and the...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: As an aside, I note the Minister of State referred to the "will and pleasure" of the Government. He did not take on board the advice of Senator Mansergh whom I presume spoke in Latin about "pleasure" and how unsuitable and unrepublican a word it was to include in the Bill. I thought about tabling an amendment on the matter, but have chosen not to.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Minister of State and his officials. I share Senator Moylan's sentiments but I cannot agree that it was speedily done. The Bill's passage through this House might have been fast but an eight year delay in passing legislation is hardly desirable. However, the Bill is to be welcomed by and large although it does not go far enough in certain areas. I said on Second Stage that the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I join with other Senators who have expressed concern about the announcement yesterday on the sugar reforms. I support Senator Dardis's appeal to the Leader for a short debate next week on this issue, and perhaps on agriculture in general. I also join with Senators who have expressed dismay at the interpretation the Revenue Commissioners appear to have put on legislation passed by the House...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I think the Leader was Minister for Education.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: When the Leader was Minister for Education there was a medical examination, at least in my part of the South Eastern Health Board area. I do not know the status of the medical examination at present but it does not appear to take place any longer. A number of people involved in the medical profession have raised it with me recently. It is an area of preventative medicine where we could do...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I also welcome the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill and noted the Minister of State highlighted its importance. However, one wonders why it took eight years since the passing of the Public Service Management Act for the Government to introduce the Bill. I am not blaming the Minister of State...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I am convinced that the idea behind benchmarking is good, as is the idea of decentralisation. The Minister of State is involved in that. The implementation of both of these ideas, however, has been an unmitigated disaster. A strong case can be made for a new round of benchmarking or a new mechanism for a real reform agenda for public services. The problem with benchmarking was a lack of...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (15 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: He is already.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I thank my colleague for sharing his time with me. I welcome the opportunity to have my say in the Seanad on this particularly contentious and important legislation. In my time in this House, which is coming up to three years, I do not think I have received as much correspondence in electronic or old fashioned postal form on any other legislation. The correspondence is universally negative. I...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: Incorrectly.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: And the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: I join with colleagues who have commended Mr. Justice Morris on his report published yesterday. I would have expected nothing less from a good south Kilkenny man like myself. I join with other Members of the House in calling on the Leader to arrange a debate on this report and, inter alia, to reaffirm our support for the vast majority of members of the force on whom we depend to expose the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

John Paul Phelan: It is far from clear at this stage where the constitution lies. I do not believe we should throw our hands up in the air and just leave it where it is. A process of discussion is needed involving all 25 member states. It is not clear at this point, following the outcomes of the referendums in France, Spain and Holland what is the current status.