Results 6,901-6,920 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

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

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Minister of State. He is a little like his aunt in that he is difficult to dislike. It is good to have a Minister who can clearly articulate an argument without needing to constantly refer to notes passed to him by officials. I appreciate that he has devoted his time to this important legislation. Although he was not, unfortunately, able to accept amendments, he duly considered...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on what is the most important item of annual legislation. There have been some interesting contributions. I do not want to repeat what has already been said, but I was particularly taken by Senator Mansergh's reference to the eight years of growth we have had. He said he did not see the possibility of any alternative Government. Eight years ago,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The Minister for Finance might call that being numerically challenged. A number of issues have not been mentioned by previous speakers in regard to the budget and the Finance Bill. The Minister of State would be familiar with the reduction in the budget allocation for Teagasc, which has led to the closure of a number of facilities. I am sure that he is well aware of the difficulties that have...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I apologise. I missed that. It is an important issue, particularly for the farming sector. An agreement was reached between the farming bodies and the Government on the issue of the lands required to build the much needed new national road network. This is a serious issue. The Government is once again reneging on a promise, which is causing considerable concern for those affected. It has also...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I was amused to hear some people say this measure would help to reduce the level of under age alcohol consumption and that it was good the Government was increasing the cost by 35 cent. However, it will not have any effect. If the Government is serious about the problem of alcopops, then it must do better than imposing a price increase of 35 cent.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Perhaps that is the case. However, it is being camouflaged as a means of reducing the level of under age drinking when it does not have anything to do with it. I want to dispel that rumour. Speakers mentioned the pension fund, from which millions of euros have been lost, particularly as a result of investments in markets in the Far East, at a time when we have problems with our...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: That is true. It is a waste of money. We are investing in markets in the Far East at a time when we have infrastructural problems. Figures were touted by Senator Fitzgerald and other Government speakers which they claimed showed how well the economy was doing and that charges had not been increased. However, motor tax has increased by 12%. In spite of that increase, Kilkenny County Council...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: It is a pity we have come to this crossroads. Difficult decisions had to be made, some with which I agree. However, the easy option was chosen in too many cases.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with my colleague, Senator Coghlan, in regard to the issue he raised. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport to confirm or deny reports in the media in recent days that the proposed fly-over at the Red Cow roundabout to facilitate the Luas has been cast by the wayside? As somebody who uses the junction – I am sure other Members use it regularly – I can confirm the chaos...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: One defeated election candidate resigned.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: The Senator does not sound too comfortable.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate and I appreciate that the Minister of State has remained for the duration. Senators have expressed diverse views on this issue and there have been many outstanding contributions to the debate, as well as several which were less than impressive.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: He is the first Irish casualty of the second Gulf War. I am glad to see him back. I was also taken aback by the contribution of Senator Feeney who spoke about Irish foreign policy. She said there were three fundamental planks in Irish foreign policy but she never mentioned the word "neutrality". This is a Fianna Fáil Senator and the Fianna Fáil Party has always held neutrality as the sacred...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Company Closures. (13 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I again welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. As Senator Minihan said, he seems to have been here often, over the past couple of days in particular.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Senator Ryan for sharing time with me and the Independent Senators for tabling this motion. I am glad Government Senators amended the Government amendment and dropped the reference to 11 September 2001. As a younger driver, it is important that I speak on this issue. While I agreed with much of what Senator Leyden said, I disagree with what he said about the speed with which the...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: That was in the dim and distant past, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and I have no recollection of it. I had to pay a premium that was a multiple of the value of my car. Other young people also experience this. The premium I paid for my 1.4 litre car that was worth no more than €200 was €2,500. I was not alone in this. There are people with bigger premia for less valuable cars.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: I have a new car and I pay an insurance premium of €3,200. I have been informed that it will decrease when I am 25, which is not too far away. I hope it will decrease, but it is a crazy amount. It is not fair or equitable that older people, by virtue of the fact that they are older, pay less. I have never had a claim and I have had a full licence for six years. The system is not...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: They do not have the money.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Not if the Senator votes against it.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

John Paul Phelan: Will Senator Wilson support him?