Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

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

Derek McDowell: I have no expertise in the matter but the costs of the project have not escalated over recent years because the facilities that will be provided have been improved. I do not know who worked out the initial costs or the current costs but something has gone seriously wrong with the project. If the current costs on a PPP basis are correct, we should start again because it is a huge amount of...

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

Derek McDowell: Yes, it is a reduction at this point in real terms compared to the amount spent last year. Much of it is being spent under a few major headings, the most obvious of which is roads. Senator Dooley is here so we should acknowledge that the Ennis bypass is once more at the starting line and we should hope it crosses it some time during the year. I look forward to the ribbon finally being cut....

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

Derek McDowell: It is a charge.

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

Derek McDowell: That is a separate agenda, which we could debate, on what the future holds for the ESB or how regulation works in the electricity supply service. Unfortunately, it is one of the disadvantages of competition in a service such as electricity supply or generation. It is argued that it is necessary to increase the price before we can have competition. There is a separate argument about the ESB in...

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

Derek McDowell: Did the Senator say "in awe"?

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

Derek McDowell: Section 2 provides for the commencement order. When does the Tánaiste expect to be in a position to make that order?

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

Derek McDowell: Is everything in place in terms of staffing and resources in order to start moving on it from 1 January?

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

Derek McDowell: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, line 31, after "actions" to insert "other than an action involving a claim for damages arising from a breach of the Constitution or the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, or a claim for aggravated or exemplary damages". Section 3 deals with the claims that will be allowed to go before the board and these amendments deal with some of my concerns....

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

Derek McDowell: I am satisfied with that. Will the Tánaiste address the issue of the volume of claims she expects the board to deal with? Apart from the principle behind the Bill, which my party accepts, we are concerned that the board will have the resources, staff and time to deal with the huge volume of claims which could come before it. Does the Tánaiste expect it will be extended to motor insurance...

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

Derek McDowell: The Bill proposes that a case must be dealt with within 15 months so 27,000 cases per annum will have to be dealt with. That is an extremely ambitious target. Is the Tánaiste satisfied, based on the staffing put in place by the interim board, that this is achievable?

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

Derek McDowell: I am sorry for going on about it but the subject will arise later so we should deal with it now. Can the Tánaiste give an indication of the staff numbers involved from the start and if regional offices will be part of the arrangement, whether from outside or by transferring existing civil servants?

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

Derek McDowell: When the Tánaiste mentions the private sector, does she mean essentially the business of insurance assessment?

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

Derek McDowell: Surely not.

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

Derek McDowell: Perhaps if the Tánaiste had asked me in time, I would have applied.

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

Derek McDowell: I ask for your understanding and guidance, a Chathaoirligh, because this is partly my fault. I moved amendments Nos. 2 and 3 together. In fairness to the Minister, she intended to address only one of them in her response. The effect in terms of the debate is that we did not deal with the other amendment. I withdrew amendment No. 2 following what the Minister said, but I did not intend to...

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

Derek McDowell: I am talking about amendments Nos. 1 and 2.

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

Derek McDowell: I intended to withdraw amendment No. 1, but I withdrew amendments Nos. 1 and 2. I am not sure if the Minister addressed amendment No. 2.

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

Derek McDowell: The Minister said she was well disposed to the amendments. I think she was referring to amendment No. 1 rather than amendment No. 2.

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

Derek McDowell: I understood the Minister's point.

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

Derek McDowell: How did I manage to do that?