Results 7,261-7,278 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: Certainly.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: We are about to open embassies in Slovenia and Estonia. I will come back with the details. Senators have been concerned about the quality of EU legislation and its impact on the public. Senator Ormonde mentioned the role the media have to play. I do not want to knock the media, but extraordinary work has been done in the Oireachtas, particularly by the Oireachtas joint committee, dealing with...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senator for indicating that he will withdraw his amendment in favour of the Government amendment. He has correctly pointed out that this arises from recent legislation. The amendment covers an issue separate from the main Bill. It would amend, not only the European Communities Act, 1972, but also the European Union (Scrutiny) Act, 2002. The Government is happy to take on board the...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I can provide the Senator with a fuller note on this issue, if he wishes. Obviously, in the arrangements that are part and parcel of the Nice treaty process, provision has been made for the enlargement of the Parliament up to and including the two states which will not be part of the ten, Bulgaria and Romania. There will, therefore, be a redistribution of seats. The Senator asked if a...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: Yes. The number of seats Ireland would have to contest would be 13. Given that a great deal is happening, if the Senator wishes, I can provide him with a note on the exact position on the most recent decisions. He is right—

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: The intention is that new member states will participate in the elections in 2004, but this will depend on their ratification processes. A number of them have to hold referenda. Assuming the results are all positive, the intention is that they will participate fully in 2004. That was one of the points we made during the debate on the referendum. It is important that they are not denied their...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I do not think there will be a common form of election before 2004. The issue will obviously be decided nationally with regard to the national constituencies for the European Parliament elections in 2004.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: Under the treaties as they are established, the basic differentiation between legal instruments is that a regulation is applicable universally and directly from the time of origin while in regard to a directive, it is the effect that the community wishes to have implemented. It is a matter for each member state to decide on the legal instrument. While there is flexibility with regard to the...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for the expeditious manner in which they dealt with this technical legislation. I am immensely proud of the work of the people last month in wiping way the last vestiges of the divisions that separated the peoples and countries of Europe for 50 years. It is hard for us to measure the importance of the work we have done and how highly the Irish are regarded. Many of the...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: Senator Hayes mentioned time limits. Clearly, exceptional circumstances can arise and it would be a breach of faith if the Government were to abuse this. There is no doubt that the committee would be very vocal in its criticism if that were to happen. There will still be a requirement that the Government explain exactly what happened, including the circumstances and time constraints which...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: This is a thorny issue which has arisen because of the wide nature of the measure which is universal. The Government is committed to an open and transparent system of the Oireachtas and it would be a very foolish Government that would try to roll back the decisions we all made in recent years to be more open. Section 3(2) makes it clear that the Minister may make a report to either or both...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: Obviously we would have to see how this provision would work. If the Deputy is talking about targeting some activity from the point of view of sanctions, it would clearly destroy the entire purpose of sanctions if there was to be a wide and open discussion about them. I assume a Minister would brief the chairman. I believe the arrangement that works best in these cases is where Ministers deal...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: My view is well known on issues such as freedom of information. Senator Brian Hayes knows my views and I have also taken the view that the best way to make sure secrets are not leaked is to have absolutely no secrets at all. This issue was discussed in this House when we debated the Freedom of Information Act. I was sitting on the other side of the House and arguing about these issues....

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their support this afternoon in adopting the Bill. I also thank the Labour Party for putting forward this proposition. My view on the support and development of the committee system in the Houses of the Oireachtas is a matter of historical record and I have not changed those views since I came into office.

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim (Atógáil). Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I omitted to congratulate and compliment one of the most formidable people in Irish politics on being appointed Leader of the House, my very good friend, Senator O'Rourke. I also congratulate Senator Paddy Burke on being elevated to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. They are a formidable team. This House will be well served by all its officers. I came here with a script that I have...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: Céim an Coiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their very kind remarks. At one of the interminable meetings that one has with ambassadors, one ambassador said that he could not understand why there were concerns in Ireland about the Treaty of Nice. He felt that it was a triumph for Irish diplomatic negotiators. He pointed out that we had led the way in holding on to a Commissioner for the small countries and that our...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Irish Soccer Supporters. (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senators for raising this very serious matter which has caused grave concern. Irish soccer supporters are renowned throughout the world for the colour and fun they bring wherever they go and their impeccable behaviour. That has been demonstrated time and time again, most recently this summer during the World Cup in Japan and Korea, where Japanese and Korean authorities praised the...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (12 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, on your election. I was impressed by the generosity and civility with which this House conducts its business, but that is not to say I wish to be back here. The tributes paid to you this morning were entirely appropriate. I am pleased to open this debate on a matter of the highest importance. That the new Seanad is addressing this issue on its first...