Results 6,681-6,700 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan
- Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I support Senator Finucane's call for a debate on defence and anti-terrorism issues in light of President Bush's upcoming visit. I listened with some dismay to the Minister for Defence on "Today with Pat Kenny" trying to reassure the public that he has a plan for this visit when he clearly does not and neither does the Government. Instead of a situation where the Army guards bank trucks and...
- Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister to the House again. It is noteworthy that he attended here on the three occasions the Second Stage debate was held. Not many Ministers remain for so much of a debate. In fact, many make their contribution and leave as soon as possible. I congratulate the Minister in that regard. This Bill is one of the most important to come before the House during my time here. As in...
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: This is not addressing the planning situation.
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: There is nothing in this.
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: That already covers almost every county development.
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: He is a dictator.
- Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Empty waffle.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I agree with the previous speakers who spoke about Ballinamore, County Leitrim. I express my regret that the situation has reached this point. There are similar centres throughout the country which are threatened with closure and we should have a debate as soon as possible on those closures and on the general downgrading of rural Ireland, as outlined by Senator Ryan. I raise the issue of...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: The Fine Gael Party opposes section 11 of the Bill because of the overlap with section 10. I note from some of the amendments tabled that there is widespread agreement among all Senators that the position of politicians is different from all public servants. I am conscious of Senator O'Toole's remarks and am thinking of myself and other Senators. I am 25 and 65 is a long way off but I hope to...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I hope I will be here. The Leader has been involved in politics for many years.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Did the Leader not win "the House of Love" from the TV programme in which she was a panellist?
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: Raising the pensions age will not encourage good new people into politics. Reports of corruption and tribunals of inquiry deter many people my age and younger from involvement in politics. If we put another obstacle in the way of people who may want to take a career break and go into politics, knowing the risks involved it will be a negative step from the point of view of public service....
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I too thank the Minister of State and his officials. While I do not agree with large parts of the Bill I compliment the officials on the work they put into it. I have no doubt there will be considerable discussion in the other House before it is passed.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I support Senator O'Toole. He has spoken very eloquently about these two amendments. They go to the nub of the Bill, which is obviously about increasing the age at which one is entitled to a pension. The Bill reflects the attitude that one size fits all. Having been a teacher for a while, I note that this approach will not work in all circumstances. Senator O'Toole has outlined how exceptions...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: That is a stupid point.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I withdraw the remark, unreservedly.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I thank my constituency colleague for his generosity in sharing his time. I am delighted to have an opportunity to support the motion tabled jointly by the Fine Gael and Labour parties on the dormant accounts fund. I noted a number of excellent contributions to the debate, particularly from the Opposition side. I was struck, in particular, by the comments of Senator Ross when he affirmed his...
- Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I second the amendment.
- Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)
John Paul Phelan: I second the amendment.