Results 6,301-6,320 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Obviously when the chair of the convention is elected he or she will have an input into how these matters are organised, based on previous experience in other jurisdictions. The advisory group will be drawn from whatever sectors are required such as political science, constitutional law and others. Obviously dealing with a Constitution means we will need legal advice. The group will be in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Yes. It will be in a position to decide. I envisage that it will be like past forum with oral presentations and public sessions and that all matters will be noted and recorded in the normal way in the event that a vote takes place. The logistical preparations have not been finalised by the Government because it wants to engage with the people that will steer the convention and its...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: If the Senator was on it, yes.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: That is what the Senator has said.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: No, that is what the Senator has said.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I withdraw my remark and am glad to have resolved the matter.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Senator has suggested that the outcome of the convention will be largely determined by whom the political parties appoint from the Oireachtas. It will also consist of 66 members of the public and I respect them and their views. It will not be politically driven. The politicians present may have strong views but the members of the public will also be present and they are entitled to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: It appears the Senator is afraid of the public in terms of the 66 people who will participate.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: He should have no fear about it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I can understand that too. We have a lot of history in that regard. He should not be afraid of any view from any quarter. The purpose of a people's convention is to have everybody involved and respecting each other's point of view with advice and guidance available, if required, in order that they can make an informed view before arriving at a decision or voting on it. I do not share the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Everyone has an agenda so far as the Senator is concerned.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I respect the fact that people should be able to congregate and participate and have a vote and that everybody's point of view is heard and respected, irrespective of the subject matter in the Constitution. I agree with Senator Barrett that this is a people's convention. The Senator and I will have plenty opportunities to debate the outcome in the House and elsewhere as will experts. I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am pleased that such a historic precedent is being created for future reference.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I am impressed with the work I have seen across the country which has been advanced by the group water sector with the support of the Department, local authorities and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, in improving water supplies in rural areas. Some €750 million has been spent in the past decade or so by the Exchequer in supporting...

Seanad: European Court Judgment (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senator Mullen for raising this matter. I apologise that the Minister for Health cannot be here. Abortion in Ireland is prohibited except where it is established, as a matter of probability, that there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother and that this risk can be averted only by the termination of her pregnancy. Following the ruling in the X case, this risk to...

Seanad: European Court Judgment (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Senator should be assured that it is legally proofed and legally clear.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under section 32(1A)(a) of the Waste Management Act 1996 it is the responsibility of the original waste producer or other waste holder to have waste collected, or to make appropriate arrangements for treatment, in accordance with the waste hierarchy. Section 35 of the 1996 Act provides that a local authority may make bye-laws requiring a holder of household waste to present such waste,...

Written Answers — Water Meters: Water Meters (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is expected that the procurement for the water meter programme will commence later this year. The procurement process will be managed in accordance with European procurement legislation and it will not be possible to exclude non-Irish companies from the procurement process.

Written Answers — Environmental Regulations: Environmental Regulations (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. My Department's responsibility for fuel quality standards arises from the perspective of ensuring that petrol and diesel sold in the State meet prescribed environmental specifications to reduce the polluting effect that certain substances have on the environment, when emitted to air as part of the fuel combustion process. This primarily...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following an incident on 15 March 2012 in a home in the Gleann Riadha estate in Longford town, Longford County Council, acting in consultation with the Health Services Executive, has conducted gas monitoring in a small number of homes on the estate. One home showed unusually high levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) for a short period on 21 June 2012. As a precautionary public health measure and...