Results 63,981-64,000 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 33: In page 15, line 8, to delete "July" and substitute "January". This is an attempt to bring the commission's financial year into line with the Government's financial year. I suggest that the change could be made. I do not know the reason for stipulating July as opposed to January. It could be more efficient and effective to stipulate January.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Minister's amendment and thank him for including it.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: We are being very helpful.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 38: In page 17, line 20, after "accordingly" to insert the following: "having due regard to the legal entitlements of all those affected". As amendments Nos. 38 to 40, inclusive, are along similar lines to amendment No. 37, I will not pursue them, having heard what the Minister had to say on the matter.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister should be a devil and accept it. We will stand up and applaud.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: He was very specific last Saturday. Would that be Saturday night fever?

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That would be like a red card before a red card was warranted.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I will try to make the most of them. I recognise what the Minister has said about all the amendments. For some unknown reason we seem to be burdened with a vast amount of legislation, regulations, statutory instruments and protections of all descriptions which are deemed to serve the needs of the consumer, but they have not done so. This is the kernel of the problem. The legislation and...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 17: In page 10, line 33, after "information" to insert "and make provision by way of directive". Amendment No. 21 seeks to insert the following: "(c) the level of investment required to provide the level of service expected". This relates to the need to ensure ongoing investment in the infrastructure so it is upgraded in keeping with the requirement of the services...

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Solomon has come to judgment.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Great minds think alike.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That is disappointing.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is shameful.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I reiterate my support for this series of amendments on the basis that they provide for improvements in delivery of service, reliability and advancing the infrastructure of telecommunications for the future in keeping with the demands of the population. On amendment No. 10, the withdrawal of communications services is something we have experienced over the last 12 months or so. One of the...

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister is a man of many parts.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: We have another candidate for Ceann Comhairle.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, line 29, after "2002" to insert "or as amended herein". I thank the Minister for taking on board some of the amendments tabled on Committee Stage. The time allocated for the Bill is not adequate. I am sure the Minister would have much preferred more time to discuss the legislation, as it has far-reaching and wide implications for the telecommunications...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, line 15, to delete "20" and substitute "10". I await the Minister's response.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister's explanation. I merely tabled the amendment to generate discussion on this matter in order to be certain that we would not question in six months' or a year's time the reason we did not discuss the matter further. In the world in which we live where takeovers, mergers and peculiar developments happen rapidly, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, line 28, after "undertaking" to insert "unless specifically referred". This amendment is similar to amendment No. 2. It provides for the inclusion of the words "unless specifically referred". We discussed this matter on Committee Stage. I do not believe its inclusion is necessary, unless, on further examination, the Minister has found otherwise.