Results 641-660 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, on his reappointment. The Minister of State might feel I am back to haunt him again.I suppose that is the case, but I want to raise an issue I have raised in a Commencement debate twice previously. It relates to the motorised transport grant, which was removed in 2013 and has not been replaced. I raised the matter with the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I accept what the Minister of State says but I know him long enough to see that there is some obstacle here which is not him. I have seen in the Dáil over the years how he has highlighted from the Opposition benches the need for people to be treated equally. He said it will not be the old scheme, but when it comes in it must be equal. The response to the example I gave him might be...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

John O'Mahony: I want to be associated with the many tributes that have been paid to the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, who is stepping down. I do not intend to go over them again. As a colleague and a fellow Teachta Dála of his for the constituency of Mayo for two terms, I would not be in politics if it were not for Deputy Enda Kenny. I pay tribute to the way he led this country at a time of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: As spokesperson on sport, I raise the farcical situation that has come to light in recent days in regard to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.One could not make up what has happened and what is emerging. There are two different boards, each saying it is in charge. A team has been picked by a high performance director who has not been sanctioned by the committee. There are people not...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (31 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: Like other Senators, I do not want to go over the figures but we all know that since 2010 or 2011, tourism has been a reason for the stabilisation of our economy. In 2016, 20,000 extra jobs were created in the tourism industry. Along with agriculture and foreign direct investment, it has been the saviour of our economy. The 6% drop in the number of British tourists coming to Ireland in the...

Seanad: Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: I understand that Senator Reilly wishes to share his time with Senator Byrne at four minutes each.

Seanad: Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: As there is no Member present from the Independents group-----

Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: -----I call Senator Tim Lombard.

Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: In the last Dáil I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Therefore, I have an interest in this subject. Public service broadcasting is hugely important and it is hugely important that it be balanced and fair. At times there is a blurring of the line between what I would call entertainment and politics. For the most part, current affairs and news...

Seanad: Public Service Broadcasting: Statements (23 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: In recent times I have seen the same comedian on programmes discussing serious political issues. I do not know whether he is a comedian, an analyst, a pundit or whatever else, but he cannot be all of them. I have seen this problem not just on RTE but also on other national stations and it is an important matter to raise. It is welcome that the local radio broadcasting levy is being done...

Seanad: Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016: Second Stage (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: I am pleased to speak about this legislation. I welcome it and believe it is long overdue. As previous speakers have said, it may not be perfect, and the Minister has acknowledged that herself, but it is a very genuine attempt to improve the existing legislation and I commend the Minister on that. It is very important that this Bill gives birth parents and relatives a legal right to...

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Second Stage (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: First, I commend Senator Reilly on introducing this Bill and on all the work and effort he has put into it. In recent years there has been more awareness of the autistic spectrum. Years ago it was just known as "autism" and the word was associated with people who had profound communication and behavioural difficulties. I taught for many years and I thought I was teaching disruptive pupils...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: Is that at the end?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: It is an impossible situation. I agree with Senator Feighan but that is an issue within our own group.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: As I am at the end of the queue, I will try not to repeat questions that have already been covered. I welcome the witnesses. As representatives of a lead agency, it is important that they were given the opportunity to come back in when they expressed a desire to do so. Would it be their wish that there be absolutely zero tolerance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: If Ms Murdock was the Minister, would she be proposing that someone with 0.1 mg of alcohol should be banned from driving?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: I am trying to get at what the Road Safety Authority wants.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: What is the limit for coach drivers and bus drivers? Is it 20 mg?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

John O'Mahony: I thought that was the situation and was surprised that it was not zero for a coach driver who carries 50 or so passengers.