Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: So what?

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: That is why I have put down this proposal.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: The Minister of State's logic is that closing all late-night drinking establishments will curtail excessive drinking, anti-social behaviour and curb demand for alcohol. We have found in the past that this does not work. This is a killjoy Bill and I am disappointed the Minister of State continues to talk about the general problem without addressing the specific proposal being made here.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 2b: In page 4, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: "(a) Section 12 of the Act of 2003;". This amendment relates to a section providing that there should be no entertainment during drinking-up time. The proposal is to include it as one of the sections to be deleted. It is a somewhat outdated provision and perhaps, as a tidying-up exercise, this can be...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I do not agree with the Minister of State and this is another killjoy provision. The Oireachtas should legislate. He has referred to how the Oireachtas cannot defer to any other body in respect of legislation and this issue should be examined on its merits. While I do not consider this provision to be warranted, I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I support the amendment for the same reasons. The problem lies with the rigid rule of closure at 2.30 a.m. or 1.30 a.m. on Sundays and this amendment seeks to address it. While the parameter of discretion ideally should be laid down in the Bill, the rigid rule creates a problem in this regard. I support the amendment, which pertains to the issue that Members have sought to impress on the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 4a: In page 5, before section 6, to insert the following new section: "6.—Section 4 (as amended by section 10 of the Act of 1960) of the Act of 1927 is amended: (a) in subsection (3), by the insertion of the words "Subject to subsection (11)" at the beginning of that subsection; (b) by the insertion of a new subsection (10A) as follows: "(10A) It shall not be lawful for...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate that the amendment was adopted in the context of the review in the Dáil.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 4b: In page 5, before section 6, to insert the following new section: "6.—At the Court hearing in respect of any licensing application under the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2008, any Garda Officer, not below the rank of Sergeant, may appear and shall be heard in court in relation to such application, whether or not such application relates to premises within that Officer's...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I agree with the previous comments. The Minister of State pretends to lend an ear to what is said in this House, but has no intention of accepting any amendments. The organisation of business in the House has come as a diktat from Government and we know this from the Leader of the House. He has no room to manoeuvre in terms of the timing. With the dissolution of the Dáil it is clear...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: On a point of order, I believe it is customary when anybody is addressing this House that he or she would stand. I do not know if the Minister of State intends to remain seated for the entire debate.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I addressed the comment to the Chair.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I defer to the Chair.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I reiterate the point that to suggest many amendments have been accepted in the Dáil has no relevance to the debate in this House. Senators are putting down amendments on the substance and merits of the Bill and that is what is at issue, not any amendments which have been accepted in the Lower House. As Senator Norris has stated, we know only a couple of the amendments were even debated...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: The current licensing system came into place on foot of legislation introduced by the Government. The Opposition cannot be blamed for the current position. To introduce crude and rushed legislation in an attempt to deal with some perceived ill such as, for example, public order offences is not the way to proceed. I strongly object to the Minister of State's suggestion that all the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I support the amendment, the proposition relating to which is self-evident. A regulatory impact analysis should have been carried out before the Bill was initiated. As Senator Quinn stated, this matter can be dealt with because the Minister will be in a position, under section 1(5), to decide when particular provisions of the Bill should come into force. I received representations from...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: This is an excellent proposal, although I know that when one waves the Constitution, it tends to dampen the enthusiasm in pursuing an amendment.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: Senator Quinn's amendment relates to the retail sector, or mixed trading houses, in particular. In that context, I do not believe the Minister intends to introduce some of the provisions in the Bill relating to that sector. There is scope to carry out a regulatory impact analysis. The Minister of State has made the case for me that that is the type of analysis which should be undertaken...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 2a: In page 4, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: " "Court" means the District Court and in relation to any application to the Court means the District Court for the court area in which the premises to which the application relates is situated;". This amendment makes a technical definition of the word "Court". The amendment is designed to introduce and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Eugene Regan: May I speak on this subject? The Cathaoirleach did ask me to withdraw my comments and I have great respect for him and the Chair. My view is that——