Results 1,041-1,060 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (19 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: We live in unprecedented times. There has been a downward trend nationally and internationally in key economic indicators unparalleled in economic history. How we deal with it is a challenge for our generation. In Ireland we are feeling it more markedly than most because it has come on the back of the longest sustained period of economic development in the country's history. There is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: I agree that there is a need for a debate on the banking sector. Such a debate will take place. I would like to respond to Senator O'Toole's comments on remarks I made about the Financial Regulator last week. I pointed out that the standard of regulation in this country is in line with the hands-off approach to regulation throughout the world. Internationally, there have been substantial...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: I move: "That the sitting be suspended until 5 p.m."

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: It is in line with the Order of Business.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: The transfer of taxation arrangements in terms of annual motor tax from an engine capacity to an emissions basis was a Green Party initiative which at the time was greeted with no small degree of cynicism by many in the political system. It has turned out to be an enormous success and the evidence of that success is that 80% of the cars bought since then are in bands A, B and C. An attempt...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: I am saying there are two arguments for it. First, it affects rural communities disproportionately and, second, despite what is being said by Opposition parties——

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: Does the Senator want me to start again? I will do that. I welcome the introduction of this legislation and the fact that a Green Party initiative that was much criticised at the time has brought about a welcome change in car ownership and usage and a much better improvement on the previous system. Does that make it clear?

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: If we had made no change in last year's budget and kept the current system there would have been a collapse in car sales this year.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: That is an argument on which we will both agree. To return to the point about reliance on taxes of this type for local government funding, there is an ongoing concern that local authority funding should not be dependent on car ownership.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: In terms of the current system, we can also look forward to the report of the Commission on Taxation in 2009. Part of its remit is the way ongoing local government taxation will be reformed. I am confident that among the recommendations of the commission will be the degree to which this type of tax will be a mainstay of local government finance and the better alternatives. In this year's...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: The debate on the economy is ongoing in this House, as is the question of our financial institutions, and I am confident there will be further debates. There is a need for legislation, especially on the National Pension Reserve Fund. I am sure it will come before the House at the earliest opportunity and will again give Members the chance to talk about it. In announcing the bank guarantee...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: If the authority is to have a shared secretariat with the Irish Human Rights Commission, it can operate only when both agencies are in the same location. This is one of the reasons for the resignation of the chief executive of the Equality Authority, and it is a reason for the need to examine how policy is made in this area and how it can be consistent with simple economics. If we are...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: The only way we can solve this problem is by making sure the shared secretariat between the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority is a physically shared secretariat in Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: Did I say that?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: Did I mention a particular official in a particular Department?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: I do not need to give it, the Senator has done it for me.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: I am glad I am so easy to read.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: Yesterday I attended an event hosted by Amnesty International to mark the 60th anniversary of the publication of the agreement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I spoke candidly at that event, probably too candidly, but I would like to use the opportunity of Report Stage to repeat much of what I said there because I stand by it. I cannot understand why the original reference to...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: We should not have the validity of well recognised organisations being questioned and uncertainty over their future because of a Bill that is 90% excellent in what it proposes to achieve. The Bill aimed to achieve that at its inception, when it was presented as a scheme by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The fact that it cannot do so now means that either spurious...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Admissibility of Evidence) Bill 2008: Second Stage (10 Dec 2008)

Dan Boyle: The Cathaoirleach has called it right.