Results 1,141-1,160 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

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

Derek McDowell: It is possible the chief executive officer would appear before a committee dealing with the Tánaiste's Department and it is likely that he or she would be asked to comment—

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

Derek McDowell: Does it apply to all committees of the Oireachtas?

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

Derek McDowell: It states "by the Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine.".

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

Derek McDowell: It is not clear but perhaps that is what is intended.

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

Derek McDowell: My argument would be more cogent in the context of the enterprise and employment committee. Nevertheless, even in the context of the Committee of Public Accounts, the type of question that is likely to be asked would be about the nature of claims, the type of claims being processed and whether, for example, it would be reasonable to ask the chairperson of the board if the aims of the board...

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

Derek McDowell: As a general rule, more flexibility should be given to people on State boards to be open, even at the risk of criticising Government policy. We should be slow to go the usual route of imposing gagging orders, which is what we do routinely. I tabled this amendment with that in mind. This is a good example of a board that is not implementing Government policy. It is not like CIE. It would not...

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

Derek McDowell: Are the staff of the board civil servants?

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

Derek McDowell: There is a reference to offences in the section. I did not see any offences in the Bill. To what offences does the section relate?

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

Derek McDowell: The fines are quite low.

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

Derek McDowell: With perhaps one or two exceptions, I do not intend to table on Report Stage all the amendments we dealt with today. It appears entirely pointless to repeat the argument tomorrow. The Tánaiste suggested she will consider some of the points we raised. I am sure she will do so during the debate in the Lower House, therefore, I do not intend to raise the issues tomorrow afternoon.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. The Labour Party supports the Bill, in principle. Our spokesperson in the Dáil, Deputy Howlin, served on the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business which dealt with this issue during the summer recess and endorsed, on our behalf, the findings of that sub-committee, which include a recommendation that the...

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: An mbeidh sé faireáilte?

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Bhí díospóireacht shuimiúil againn agus gabhaim buíochas do gach éinne ar achan taobh den Teach a ghlac páirt inti.

Seanad: Estimates for 2004: Motion. (19 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: However, there will be changes in eligibility which will primarily affect lone parents. The Minister has repeated serious commitments made by the Government to increase the old age pension to €200 per week and the lowest rate of social welfare to €180 per week in a few years. Her predecessor made no tangible progress last year in that regard. It will be interesting to see whether some...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I join others in welcoming the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The legislation is another milestone on a road we will reach the end of on 1 May next. That will be a very important date in the 21st century history of Europe. A line will finally be drawn under the post-Second World War arrangements of Europe. It is remarkable to think back 12 or 13 years to when six of the ten countries...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: We had trams as well.

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am pleased to comment on this good report which is part of an important process. Senator O'Rourke complimented the Government on having commissioned the report even though it is a requirement of the national development plan, at least in regard to the CSF element. Nevertheless, the Government also correctly chose to evaluate domestic spending.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: I endorse the comments of Senator Brian Hayes. It is not unusual in early July for Opposition Members to condemn the Houses going into recess until October. Sometimes one can reasonably cast doubt on the bona fides of those who make those protestations but no Member in either House believes that taking next week off can be justified. I do not understand the logic behind it as it makes no...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: I move: That Seanad Éireann noting:

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Ennis bypass maybe.