Results 6,501-6,520 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: It is clear this will not happen. The Senator should tell this to the people he represents in Tipperary town, which was promised 200 jobs within three years but will not get them.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: It will not get the 200 jobs promised on budget day 12 months ago, despite the comments made at that time.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: Senator Mansergh went on to state: "Not only does today's announcement represent a fulfilment of many promises that were made, but it also dispels some of the fears expressed when the national spatial strategy was published." This is rubbish. The national spatial strategy has been cast aside by the Government.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: It has been completely cast aside. The recent announcement with regard to decentralisation further proves this. Senator Mooney got hot under the collar in last year's debate on decentralisation when he emphatically stated: "It will be implemented within the timeframe." We all know this is a joke and that Senator Mooney was completely wrong. Anyone who considered the figures in last year's...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: It was stated by every Government Member and the Minister of State himself said it.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: The Minister of State said it. I am glad Senator Leyden is present. To be fair, he often provides light entertainment in the House.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: It is important somebody would fulfil that function in the Seanad. In the debate last year, Senator Leyden stated he was delighted Roscommon town had received the 230 Land Registry jobs it has clearly not received. He went on to state: "It is a great boost to myself.....every cumann member throughout County Roscommon and all the supporters of Fianna Fáil." The Minister of State, Deputy...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: The party did not get four out of five seats. The Senator continued: Due to the decentralisation of 230 jobs to Roscommon, the people will respond and vote for Fianna Fáil in the local elections. We will also get two MEPs elected to Europe in the Connacht-Ulster constituency. The Progressive Democrats are not mentioned.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: As we know from what happened in June last, the people were not conned by the promises made by Senator Leyden and others in the run-up to the local elections.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: They will not be conned in the run-up to the next general election either. I must contact the local media in Roscommon to highlight Senator Leyden's comments in the run-up to the next general election.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: One telling comment from the Minister of State in this debate was the phrase "following appropriate consultation." More than anything else, this is where the idea of the decentralisation scheme announced last year has fallen down. There has not been the appropriate prior consultation to which the Minister referred today. He talks about it now but much of the consultation should have taken...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: ——as did members of Senator Leyden's party who represent Dublin constituencies.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: I would not take that route. The Senator's party is certainly not united. Members of my party hold different views from my own but the party policy is clear — we fully support decentralisation.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: However, we were fully aware last year that what was promised on budget day could not be delivered and it has not been delivered. I was today provided with a list of the towns that have been cast adrift and will not be included with the early movers. The Minister read into the record many waffly terms that mean nothing to anybody and certainly not to the people of New Ross, County Wexford, my...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: If the remark was incorrect, I withdraw it. The perception among the general public was that the posters and leaflets were printed before the announcement was made in the budget. I applaud the Minister of State and the Minister. They have clearly ensured that the Laoighis-Offaly constituency will be looked after. However, it is obvious from the latest news on decentralisation that the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: Other towns, less fortunate than those in Kerry and Limerick, will not be looked after either. The other issue that has arisen since the recent announcement on decentralisation is that for 11 of the 14 towns announced, the jobs to be decentralised there are already decentralised. The civil servants involved are already working outside Dublin and will simply be moved a little further. That...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: My party and I were supportive.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: I am watching politics for a long time because I was interested when I was very young and I have never seen a bigger con job pulled on the people than the announcement of decentralisation in the last budget. As I said in my opening remarks, there was nothing in last year's budget, but the Minister brought up decentralisation in order to cover the absence of anything else. Now, the big...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad we have had this debate on decentralisation because it is an issue which will excite many people in towns throughout the country.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.