Results 1,141-1,160 of 1,625 for speaker:Pat O'Neill

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I welcome Mr. McKenna and wish him the best in his position as chairman of Coillte. I come from Kilkenny and I am aware of Smartply in south Kilkenny, which employs approximately 350 people, and Medite in Clonmel. They are two innovative companies and I have seen the new products they are hoping to produce. Smartply is looking for investment of nearly €80 million for a new plant,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I forgot to ask Mr. McKenna another question related to the selling of rights. Coillte forests are used for many activities, such as mountain biking, walking, hiking and so on. If the harvesting rights are sold, will the public continue to have access to the forests?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: The Senator should allow the Minister to continue.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: Please, Senator Walsh.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: Is it agreed that the Senators will share time? Agreed.

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee, for coming to the House. When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: The Minister of State should make a statement to the House in which he denies it is a Tipperary conspiracy to do with Kilkenny hurling because of the importance of the ash tree there. We know how important the timber industry, in particular the ash industry, is here, whether for making hurleys or furniture or for firewood. The disease spread rapidly through continental Europe. We have...

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: We will pay it with all-Ireland medals.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (13 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: With regard to the points raised by Deputy Ó Cuív, the figures have been texted to me. Some 245 farmers are in receipt of a single farm payment of over €100,000, which is 0.05% of the active farmers in the country. Deputy Ó Cuív is talking about armchair farmers but I think anyone with a payment under €100,000, even if it is €99,000, has worked hard...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (13 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: They could be but this is speculation. While Deputy Ó Cuív was absent from the room, Mr. Comer mentioned that between 85% and 90% in receipt of larger payments are active farmers. Some 245 farmers have payments over €100,000. The flawed argument should not be made that we have produced all these armchair farmers. We have nearly 90,000 active farmers in the country who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (13 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I have never heard that from anyone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (13 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: We all know that the test farm is in Kilkenny. Prices in 2009, at the time the test in terms of trying to prove milk could be produced at a certain level was applied, were really depressed. Thankfully, market prices have increased since then. While it was hoped the result would set an example and that the land used was good, I do not believe the test, in terms of what was hoped would be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (13 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I welcome the representatives from the ICMSA whom we met last week to discuss the same matter. I ask the Chairman for latitude, because normally when witnesses are present the Chairman does not allow us to debate, but as a Member of the Seanad I do not get much opportunity to debate with Deputy Ó Cuív and I would like to respond to his comments. Approximately 500 farmers in the...

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I compliment the Minister, Deputy Howlin. I knew he was a doer and in his short time in the Department, we have seen the changes, reforms and savings he has achieved. I have issues with the moratorium in recruitment in the public service, especially in local government. In consultation with his colleagues, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and the Minister for...

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: The Minister to reply, please. Senator Walsh had his time.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I understand. That is why I am watching carefully.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: Before I ask the Minister of State to conclude, I thank Members for their contributions. Twenty four speakers over two days shows how serious this matter is regarded.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: Thank you, Senator. John B. Keane will never be lost.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: The Senator is like Galway, he scored in extra time.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Pat O'Neill: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, back to the House. We resume with Senator Mullins, who has three minutes remaining.