Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this very important and historic topic. We need a reasoned debate on the issue. There are many diverse opinions on the Upper House of Oireachtas Éireann and the question is whether we should abolish the Seanad or reform it. The Labour Party has taken a long, hard look at the Seanad and in our view, the case for its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Olympic Games 2012 and Funding for Sporting Organisations: Discussion (19 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: I come from Kilkenny and I could not let the morning pass without speaking about the remarkable athlete, Darren O'Neill. He comes from a club I have watched grow over the years and although I do not want to put a dampener on things, it has achieved its heights by default rather than design. I want to know that we are really supporting all these boxing clubs throughout Ireland. They have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: South-East Economic Development Strategy Report: Discussion (18 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: I apologise on behalf of Deputy Ciara Conway who, unfortunately, could not attend today. She would have been very vocal regarding today's proceedings.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: South-East Economic Development Strategy Report: Discussion (18 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: I welcome the witnesses. I was a member of Kilkenny County Council when we adopted the economic strategy in 2010. I welcome Mr. Senan Cooke because I believe his initiative in the communities is extremely important, and not just in terms of job creation. We continually talk about creating jobs but it is important to keep what is already in place to ensure we do not slide under that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes Issues (18 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: 131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide confirmation as to whether any of the recommendations as outlined in the Accenture Report on 17 May 2013 in relation to Student Universal Support Ireland have been taken into consideration; if he will confirm if the inferred increase in staffing will be in place within his Department in the upcoming year to cater for such a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (18 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: 526. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the inferred allocation of increased staffing has been approved for the New Accident and Emergancy Unit at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny in view of the fact that it is imperative that this matter is resolved prior to completion of the project to ensure that a new facility is not lying vacant due to lack of appropriate and relevant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Roads Maintenance: Discussion with County and City Managers Association (12 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: The Minister for Social Protection has a large role to play in that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Roads Maintenance: Discussion with County and City Managers Association (12 Jun 2013)

Ann Phelan: I wish to raise similar issues. I welcome the association's initiative, which will lead to a standardisation across the country. In terms of heavy loads, what effect do quarries have on our roads and is there any initiative to ameliorate some of the damage? I welcome the prioritisation. The score sheet seems to be an evidence-based approach to each road's treatment and requirements....

Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: Deputies Broughan and Shortall are sharing 20 minutes. Deputy Broughan has ten minutes.

Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to participate in this debate. There is no doubt this Bill will give effect to a number of social welfare and pension reforms, with changes in liability for PRSI contributions, broadening the PRSI base, changes to the jobseeker’s payment scheme, enhanced identity authentication requirements for claiming social welfare and the changes in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Corporation Tax (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Minister for setting out the factual situation on how we deal with the multinational companies and their tax situation. I reiterate that what people perceive is what becomes the norm. While I thank the Minister for all the work that is being done on the tax issue, we need to get out there and continuously repeat that Ireland is not, as we have been dubbed in the media, a tax...

Topical Issue Debate: Corporation Tax (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: I am also happy to have an opportunity to speak on this pertinent issue. There has been a great deal of commentary in the media in recent days after the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, was grilled at the US Senate investigations committee. As my colleague, Deputy Dowds, has outlined in great detail, it appears that Apple negotiated a special rate of corporation tax - less than 2% over the last...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: On the point about motorways and the asset owners, should we specifically use the word "motorways".

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: How will the MANs infrastructure feed into this directive?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: I thank Mr. Ryan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: Perfect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: Is not the purpose of this regulation to try to deal with such scenarios?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: On the face of it, this proposal is something that is to be welcomed. In some cases, we may have missed the boat because at a local authority level, people have argued that, as is the case in other countries, part of one's planning permission should have made provision for all these services. It is much easier to do it at that stage than it is to retrofit it. As it is very expensive to do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Budgetary Position and Editorial Policy: Discussion with RTE (22 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: Yes, but not on RTE. I think we will have to start a campaign, perhaps it will start here, because we will definitely have to re-run the presidential election to satisfy everybody. What is the status of the London office? I believe the London office had to be closed due to cost restructuring. Is RTE still delivering a service there? Was the offer from the BBC to share an office taken up?

Topical Issue Debate: Child Protection Services (16 May 2013)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald. She has addressed issues I, too, have addressed. Although I do not wish to overdramatise the results of the report, and I welcome its publication, it is very important that nobody runs away from this. Even though the report may make uncomfortable reading, it is very important that we...