Results 11,481-11,500 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I rise with the same passion and fervour as other speakers but concerning the fishing industry. I have sought a debate on it. There is an old saying in my area of west Cork that one never kicks a man when he is down. The fishing industry from Donegal down the western seaboard to west Cork and Kerry is on its knees, unfortunately. I am greatly concerned that not for the first time in...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I ask for a debate on rural planning, particularly the role of An Taisce. Over the past 20 years I have always been clear that I have no problem with An Taisce, which has an important function in protecting heritage and buildings. When it was set up in the 1980s it was never intended that An Taisce would have a role in objecting to rural once-off housing. I was contacted by a couple who...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: That is a valid point but never in my experience in west Cork has there been an advertisement or an open invitation to join An Taisce or to raise a view. The body lacks transparency. It has a role but not in——

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: ——one-off rural housing. With all due respect to An Taisce, the experience of Senator Norris would differ totally from my experiences, which would be similar to the majority of public representatives across the political divide in County Cork.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: An old hobbyhorse of mine is the fisheries sector. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on fisheries, particularly as a review of the Common Fisheries Policy is imminent and in view of an emerging report which shows the vulnerability of Ireland's fishing stocks. There is no reason that Commissioner Borg could not be invited to the Seanad to debate this. It would add to the Seanad's...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: It is something we should consider for the review.

Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran. I wish him every success in his new brief and congratulate him on his continued role in office. I have no doubt he has a very important role to play. I am sure he will bring a breath of fresh air to this important brief. To reflect on where we have come from in the past ten or 12 years, I remember being the spokesman on justice in the Seanad...

Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: Ag leath-uair tar éis a deich maidin amárach.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (1 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I am disappointed with the Minister of State's response in that the cost of renting prefabs year on year represents an approach that is penny-wise but pound-foolish. If the school authority has to continue to operate from prefabs for another ten years, that would represent a further €600,000 plus in rent down the drain. That is the net point. When the school authority was given the go...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (1 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: This motion concerns the urgent need for the construction of a new school at Summercove national school in Kinsale in view of the large number of prefab classrooms in the yard and the delay in having this project put together. I would like to share my time with Senator Michael McCarthy.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (1 Apr 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: In 1997 the Department recognised that a new school was warranted. It was originally a small two-teacher school and now has 11 or 12 teachers. What concerns me most is that there is a total of nine prefabs on the school grounds and the square footage of the prefabs quadruples the original size of the old school. It is worrying that one of the prefabs is 26 years old and falling apart,...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I formally thank the Minister of State, the Cathaoirleach and the House for putting up with my protracted debate over many days and hours. I acted responsibly in the interests of my community and I am glad that, even though the Bill is passed and Senator McCarthy is technically correct that Cork Port could take over Bantry Harbour, this cannot happen without consultation and without the...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I concur with the points made by Senator McCarthy. There appears to be a sort of corporate governance that local authority members should not be on boards, which is wrong. Last week Senator McCarthy and I attended the launch in Dunmanway of the new west Cork community part of the Leader development. I believe at least five or six councillors are on that board. Here we have the Department...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I move amendment No. 9: In page 17, to delete lines 27 and 28.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I am happy to withdraw the amendment but before formally doing so I refer to the protracted debates in this Chamber. Perhaps I spoke for longer than I had ever intended on the entire area of the Bantry Harbour authority and so forth. I put on record my appreciation to many Members of the House, particularly to Senator Donohoe, who was present for a long time debating these issues, to...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: In moving the amendment I will be withdrawing my amendment but I want to speak to the issue.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I am entitled to make a few points. I can speak on the Government amendments later but I will not be keeping the House for four hours.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Acting Chairman for his advice. The principal reasons for my outspokenness on the amendments concerning Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Cork Company was that I saw a change coming that was not properly planned or thought out. Government amendment No. 14 is critical as it deals with public consultation. I do not wish to be critical of the Minister of State or...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (10 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: Ag 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (10 Mar 2009)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to the House. Like my colleague, Senator Regan, I will speak in support of the motion. As the spokesman for justice, equality and law reform for the Government side in the House, I wish to record my indignation at the unfortunate and callous murder of Constable Stephen Paul Carroll of the PSNI. I also wish to indicate my indignation at...