Results 11,821-11,840 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: To whom do I direct the question? Maybe the bureaucrats. Subsection (3) allows the Minister to opt out of bringing an opinion to the committee due to lack of time. It seems a useful provision. If something comes up quickly the Government must always respond, although it may not be possible to bring a committee of the House together. There does not, however, seem to be any time limit on this....

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I have another objection to the rule whereby the committee can meet in private for reasons of confidentiality. As I said in my contribution, there is no constitutional bar on a committee of the House meeting in private, although there is a bar on a plenary session of the Dáil or Seanad in private. Section 3 states: Subsections (1) and (2) of section 2 shall not apply to a proposed measure...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: Is the Minister saying it is his opinion that were he to invoke this section there would be informal discussions between himself, if he were the sponsoring Minister, and either the chairperson, vice-chairperson or all the committee members?

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I am pleased the Minister of State has put on record that where this particular power is invoked he would think it normal practice for a Minister to enter into discussions with the chairperson or all members of the committee because that may well arise.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I congratulate President Cox on his very impressive address to the Seanad this morning and thank him for coming to visit us and share his distillled knowledge in this area at this very important time for our country. I have two points to make. One is a comment and I would like to know whether the President agrees or disagrees with it. The second is a direct question. From my knowledge of...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I told him that the European Parliament was doing more than the Government on the matter. What can we do to explain those tangible benefits to our citizens? I know the President would not like to engage in party politics. What can the European Parliament, and politicians, do to explain those tangible benefits? These are the same benefits that Kathleen Lynch was able deduce some years ago when...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: We should not go there.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: Now the Senator is getting her own back.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: It has been finished.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: Will the Leader of the House consider amending No. 1 in order that, after the address and questions to the President of the European Parliament, the House will be given an opportunity to debate in a very concise way developments in Northern Ireland? She will no doubt agree that all Members wish the Taoiseach well tonight in his discussions with the British Prime Minister. Given the crisis...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: The Leader's hands are full.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: Very briefly—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I do not want to oppose No. 1 but I seek clarification of it. I respect what Senator Dardis said in relation to Northern Ireland, but I ask the Leader to reconsider this matter given its urgency and the fact that the House will not be in session tomorrow afternoon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I am not being disorderly. Order of Business agreed to.

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I am delighted to second the motion. The Fine Gael Members of the Seanad very much support the motion originating from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which calls for the establishment of a sub-committee on Seanad reform and we encourage other Members to do likewise. When the committee began to debate this issue we felt that the most appropriate way forward in dealing with the issue...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: When the sub-committee is established it is vital that it be well staffed by a group of people who can work to its agenda alone. The officers of the House are inundated with work and it would be totally unfair to ask them to take on this additional burden. The Leader should do everything in her power to ensure that extra staff requirements are met before the establishment of this...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: I ask other colleagues to reflect on that. If the House has a definite function in our Constitution to review legislation, we must not be as party political as we were in the other House. The Seanad has been successful because of its independence. I have three problems with the current situation. The first, which all parties and Governments experience, is that there is too much legislation....

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: It is not a good sign that Members cannot make a contribution without a script. I ask the Cathaoirleach to enforce this rule. It is better to make a short contribution than to read from a prepared script. I accept, however, that there are times, on sensitive matters such as Northern Ireland—

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: —when Members will want to place certain facts on the record. There may well be a number of well defined areas where this could be established. Scripts are bad for Parliament. Watching Members read from scripts when the proceedings are broadcast is awful. I ask that it be changed. My next proposal is that this side of the House needs more Government time. As the Fianna Fáil Party has 30...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Brian Hayes: Yes, certainly. It is in the centre of the country. I am sure we should get a great welcome from the Leader. The electoral college for the vocational panels should be expanded to include all city and town councillors and MEPs. In the case where people are elected to councils and given a vote for the Seanad, all town councillors should be entitled to vote in such circumstances. Voting should...