Results 6,801-6,820 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The Estimates have been lauded for providing significant increases in funding for education. If one examines where the extra funds are being spent and takes out the elements concerned with pay and the redress board, one is left with a stagnant position for this year, according to the Book of Estimates. Contrary to what we were told about increased funding, it looks as if matters are staying...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The phrase "locking the door after the horse is bolted" comes to mind. Community employment schemes have been decimated and for this mock indignation to arise within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party at this late stage is quite disgraceful.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It does not do politics or politicians any good to act in such a manner. I was particularly interested in the Minister of State's opening remarks. He spoke about the 96,000 people that are now employed providing health services, compared to 66,000 in 1997. He explained there were 6,000 extra nurses and 8,500 extra doctors and dentists. That means, presumably, that 16,000 or 17,000 extra...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I did not expect that to be included. This highlights from the Opposition point of view that the major problem with the health service is not the provision of money. We all accept that vastly increased amounts of money are being spent in this area. However, where is the money being spent? Based on these figures, it is not being targeted on the health service per se. It is being spent on...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I want to refer to an issue raised by Senator Norris, namely the much beleaguered motorist who apparently faces another increase in road taxation, with which I strongly disagree. This is grand in certain areas where public transport exists but down in Kilkenny or Roscommon, where public transport is not an option, the car is necessary. We should look towards the future, putting the emphasis...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: And go on a junket to Portugal.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Potato Production. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Several potato growers in my area, County Kilkenny, have brought to my attention the possible disaster that could occur if the potato disease, ring rot, were to arrive on our shores. The farm in Wales where the disease broke out has been exporting seed potatoes to Ireland for five years. I ask the Department of Agriculture and Food to investigate farms which have received seed potatoes from...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Potato Production. (26 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: My specific point is that this infected farm has been selling seed to this country for five years, according to the growers to whom I have spoken. If the Minister of State cannot answer my question now perhaps he could do so later. The farmer has records of those to whom he has sold seed potatoes. We need to do everything we can to keep the disease out. The Minister of State's answer is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I want to raise an issue which was raised last week by one of my colleagues, namely, potato disease or ring rot. It has been brought to my attention – I do not know if it is correct – that the farm in Wales where the disease broke out has been exporting seed potatoes to this country for the past five years. I urge the Leader to contact the Department of Agriculture and Food to see if we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I support Senator Finucane's request that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform come into the House to explain his proposed reforms of the Garda. As Senator Ulick Burke indicated, there are huge problems with law and order in rural as well as urban areas. Over a number of years we have seen the continuous decline in the number of manned rural Garda stations. Any proposal to...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 10, subsection (1), line 44, after "advice" to insert "and legal representation". I did not get a chance to speak on this Bill on Second Stage. I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is good, as the Leader said, for the senior Minister responsible to be present in the House. However, I was starting to wonder whether she...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The effect of this amendment is to provide people with an entitlement to legal representation in their dealings with the PIAB if they so choose. While the PIAB may prefer to deal directly with claimants, there will no doubt be some claimants who would like the assistance and guidance of their family solicitors, for example, in dealing with the board, provided they are prepared to pay for the...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It is a dreadful nuisance.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator Leyden although it is interesting that his initial remarks were almost directly contradicted by his subsequent remarks, perhaps not for the first time. I also agree with what Senator Quinn said about reducing the delays and costs associated with the existing court system. People have legal rights and we should not infringe the right to legal representation. We all...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator McDowell's comments. The Tánaiste has not properly replied to his crucial point on levelling the playing field. While we all accept the need to reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process, the great weight of professional expertise will continue to rest with the insurance companies, while the ordinary bloke in the street will try, with the help of legal advice, to...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator McDowell and the Labour Party amendment. It goes to the nub of the Bill and I urge the Minister to look at it. There is a great case to be made for accepting and dealing with the issue of liability at the start of the process rather than leaving it there as a last chance saloon for the insurance industry if it seeks to reject the ruling of the board. It goes to the heart...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 12: In page 14, line 1, to delete "Neither" and substitute "Subject to Section 32(4) neither". This amendment is tabled under section 16 and is relevant only if the Tánaiste does not agree to delete section 16.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I am taking that as a given.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Fine Gael has a problem with this section. As Senator McDowell pointed out, many people have a problem with section 16. Concerns have been expressed in this House during the Second Stage debate on the PIAB that there is a risk of adding to the bureaucracy and the costs if the matter is not dealt with correctly. There is a fundamental flaw in the PIAB which has not been addressed to date....

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (24 Nov 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The insurance company ultimately decides whether the case goes before the PIAB. However, as I understand the legislation, if an insurance company is not happy with what emerges from the PIAB, it can reject the assessment and proceed to deny the liability in subsequent court proceedings. We have discussed this issue while considering the amendments tabled by Senator McDowell.