Results 6,841-6,860 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The Minister knows it very well.

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

John Paul Phelan: We are not against the process.

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

John Paul Phelan: What about those who left?

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join with colleagues in requesting the Minister for Transport to come into the House to discuss the transportation system and the chaos in which we now find ourselves. I refer to the derailment of the freight train in Cahir today. That should be discussed as it will have serious implications for rail transport in that part of the country. I support Senator Coghlan's comments on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Senator O'Meara raised the issue of the fifth report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in regard to local radio. A number of local radio stations currently find themselves in a precarious position. I join the Senator in urging the Leader of the House to facilitate a debate on that issue as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I wish to join in the sentiments expressed by Senator Minihan regarding the student from Cork who has found himself in such difficulties. I urge the Leader to do her best to sort out that very serious problem. I also wish to refer to an issue raised by my colleague, Senator Terry, at the start of the week about the J1 students in America who were having such difficulty getting their social...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (4 Jul 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister to the House. This matter concerns Wandesford national school, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny. The principal recently wrote to me to inform me of the circumstances that currently exist in the school, where, for 35 years, a prefab has been used as accommodation for some of the pupils. It is an unusual school in that it is one of only two Church of Ireland schools in County...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes and certain Fianna Fáil Members regarding the loss of licences by local radio stations. Radio Kilkenny found itself in a similar position to the one outlined. I call on the Leader to join me in expressing surprise at the belief of Senators on the Government side that too much power has been bestowed on the Broadcasting Commission...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The amendments in question would have ensured that local radio stations which held licences to this point would have held them for another five years at a minimum. It is a bit rich to see crocodile tears being shed on the Government side for radio stations its Members did nothing to save five or six years ago.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Emigrant Welfare Organisations. (12 Jun 2003)

John Paul Phelan: This matter stems primarily from an experience I had in January. A friend of mine who was backpacking through Australia was involved in a serious road accident – he was hit by car. A couple of us who were good friends of his travelled to Australia to see him because he was in a bad condition. I am happy to say that he has partially recovered since and has returned home. While I was there,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - School Closures. (11 Jun 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I raised this issue on the Adjournment a month ago. It concerns St. Brigid's secondary school, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny. Approximately three months ago, the school's board of management received confirmation that the Department of Education and Science intends to close the school, on a phased basis, during the next two years. I raised this matter on the Adjournment in May to ascertain...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (28 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State. I share the concerns about the failure to abolish the dual mandate for Oireachtas Members who run for European elections. While I have no difficulty with the fact that a member of Údarás na Gaeltachta is currently a member of the European Parliament – more power to him – this is also a dual mandate of sorts. If we decide to abolish dual mandates, we...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (28 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: That is fair enough.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (28 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I will not prolong the debate. However, I wish to make the point that much more significant reform of local government will be required in the future. The decision to ban Oireachtas Members from being councillors is nothing more than a superficial act. If we want to have thriving local democracy, we need to do more than ban Senators and Deputies from being councillors.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister and I am glad that he is here for this part of the debate. It has been an extraordinary debate by any standards. In my few months in this Chamber, I have never seen a Government Senator, let alone the Leader of the House, give such a dressing-down to a Cabinet Minister. It is also particularly remarkable when one considers the contributions of many of the other Fianna...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Perhaps some of them reside in Cavan. We do not have any of them in Kilkenny.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Perhaps they will be funding the Fianna Fáil Party into the future. This day last year I finished my last exam in Waterford Institute of Technology after spending four years there with free fees. My sister is currently attending the same college. Previous speakers have stated that many families have several children attending third level institutions at any time. It is a great burden to all...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The Leader of the House does not believe it.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Fianna Fáil did not do anything.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: They got them.