Results 6,861-6,880 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join my colleague who expressed concern about third level fees. Senator Bannon was correct. The absence of the majority of the Progressive Democrats from the Chamber today is certainly conspicuous.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: At this important time, I want to address a question to the Leader. Over the past number of weeks there have been conflicting reports from Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil Ministers regarding their attitude to the possible reintroduction of third level fees. Given that students are just two weeks away from the leaving certificate examination, it is important to resolve the issue as soon...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join with Senator Brian Hayes and Senator O'Toole in their request for a thorough debate on the primary schools building programme. It is obvious to everyone that commitments were entered into which have not been honoured and we need to discuss it this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It happened before the general election.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan on the Redundancy Payments Bill. As the only Kilkenny man in the Seanad, I wish to make special reference to the Comerama plant in Castlecomer to which Senator Coghlan also referred. I was present at a number of meetings where commitments were entered into which, apparently, will not now to be honoured. Castlecomer has been an unemployment blackspot...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State and the introduction of this legislation. It is not always that I concur with Senator White, who made a good contribution. This is important legislation. I referred earlier on the Order of Business – many Senators have previously referred to this – to a particular aspect which may be the nub of any problems that may arise with this legislation, namely,...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad Senator Mansergh is aware of that. Long ago, there was an established tradition of coal mining in north Kilkenny and the greater Castlecomer area in particular. However, the mines in that district became redundant in the 1960s and 1970s. As a result there is no longer a coal mining industry in the Castlecomer area. The population in that corner of north Kilkenny is quite large. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator Hanafin's point about decentralisation. However, after what happened in the national hurling league, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism would be better suited to Kilkenny, for which I put in my claim.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: On a more serious note, I wish to raise an issue which I have previously raised, one which was also raised by other Senators, the possible reintroduction of third level fees. The Minister for Education and Science has not, as yet, outlined his strategy for the future. I ask that he do so as soon as possible. Last weekend's newspapers highlighted a report conducted by Professor Malcolm...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It is beyond belief that the Taoiseach could make such comments. I ask that he come to the House to explain how he could be so misguided and deluded about the situation in regard to agriculture.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - School Closures. (8 May 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House again. The matter I wish to discuss today centres on St. Brigid's secondary school, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny. Notice was received by the board of management of the school recently that it is the intention of the Department of Education and Science to phase out education at St. Brigid's over the course of the next two...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: What about Kilkenny?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I join my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, in asking the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend the House to discuss the recently published crime figures, as well as the appalling events that occurred last weekend. Senator Finucane spoke about Mr. Barry Duggan, the unfortunate gentleman from Sligo who was brutally attacked on the streets of Dublin at...

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am glad of the opportunity to make a few points on this important issue. As the Minister of State may be aware, there is no designated home for the elderly in Kilkenny city, although it is an issue which has been used by political parties over the course of many elections, with repeated promises being made. The last election was no exception,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Light Rail Project. (15 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: My Adjournment Matter concerns recent media speculation about the Luas flyover facility at the Red Cow roundabout. It was originally proposed that a flyover for motorists to gain access to the park and ride facility on the Naas Road would be provided as part of the programme. Recent media speculation seems to suggest that the planned flyover will not now be built and that in its place there...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (9 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I support the Bill introduced by Senator Higgins and I commend him on the efforts he has made in drafting it. I am somewhat disappointed by the Government's failure to take on board the provisions of the Bill. As has been outlined by previous speakers, it is not overly technical legislation; it simply tries to place a legal framework on a system which has no legal standing. Electrical...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) Within two years of the coming into operation of this Act, the Minister shall present to the Oireachtas a review of the operation of the Act which will inter alia, assess– (a) the impact of the operation of the Act on the Credit Union Movement, (b) the adequacy of the system for...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Would the Senator support it if it were elsewhere?

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I understand what the Minister of State and Senator Mansergh are saying. I would love to employ a draftsman, but unfortunately I cannot do so. I gather that the Minister of State might be supportive of the amendment if it was placed elsewhere in the Bill. The regulations operated by the Central Bank with regard to the banking industry are designed to ensure that the structure stays in place...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 10, paragraph (g), line 18, after "problems" to insert "and the quality and cost of services to the consumer". The new section 5A(1)(g) to be inserted into the principal Act deals with the collection and publishing of data by the authority. The amendment again seeks to protect consumers by ensuring that the quality and cost of the service is realistic. It...