Results 12,421-12,440 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (12 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: It makes sense and I am inclined to accept. I will request the officials to see if we can find a wording which will encompass the amendment. We will then table the new amendment for consideration in the Dáil. What the Senator says makes sense. It is already the case that the material is published. The Senator outlined that and there is no need for me to go into it. The amendment makes sense...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (12 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: To a large extent this amendment relates to the separation of powers. While the analogy might not be entirely appropriate, I recall a story. On one famous occasion when President Jefferson did not like a judgment of the great chief justice, John Marshall, when explaining the enforcing role of the president as against the judgment of the court, he said memorably: "John Marshall has given his...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (12 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I am under instructions from the Leader of the House not to discuss this amendment at length. The purpose of this drafting amendment is to amend the incorrect use of the plural. Amendment agreed to. Bill, as amended, received for final consideration. Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (12 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I thank Senators and the Chair for their contributions. It is always a pleasure to come to the House. We have had a constructive debate and the contributions of Senators have led to an improved Bill, which is the reason we are all here. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I second the amendment. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue): The effect of the amendment would be to require that contracts entered into by the authority, not normally requiring the use of the corporate seal, would have to be executed by two members of the authority or a member of the authority and a staff member. The provision contained in this section, as...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: It is not proposed to accept this amendment. The effect of it is specifically to provide that training et cetera delivered by the authority can be carried on outside of the State. There is no need for the amendment because there is no restriction on where training might be carried out. As long as that training is in connection with the functions of the authority there is nothing to prevent...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I do not doubt the good intentions behind the amendment but it could have unintended consequences. The Bill establishes the authority. It does not deal with accommodation regulation functions. These are governed by a number of provisions of the Tourist Traffic Acts, which will remain in place. In other words, the core provisions which govern the day to day regulation or listing of...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: As already stated, most provisions in relation to Bord Fáilte's accommodation functions will be unaffected by the Bill. The clause under discussion reflects existing provisions which will remain in the Tourist Traffic Acts and I intend to reflect the provisions of the Acts in the Bill in order to avoid unintended consequences. The text of this legislation is specifically worded to link...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I understand the motive for Senator Quinn's amendment and I appreciate what he is saying. The issue for Bord Fáilte is the accommodation it should include in its list. If a premises appears in a Bord Fáilte guide, it will have been inspected and approved, regardless of whether it is registered. If it has not been approved it will not appear in the list of accommodation in the guide. I hope...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: The power to contract out certain registration, grading and inspection functions to other bodies was conferred on Bord Fáilte by the Tourist Traffic Acts and the provisions of this section reflect the repealed provisions of the Acts. Contractors employed by Bord Fáilte following a tendering process become agents of Bord Fáilte. They implement the criteria governing the registration of...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I will give an undertaking to look into the matter to see what action can be taken. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: The effect of the amendment would be to require potential members of the authority to be interviewed by the select committee. They could only become members once the committee agreed that they were suitable. This is obviously a departure from standard practice.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: I apologise.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: The effect of this amendment would be that a copy of any policy direction issued by the Minister to the authority under section 13 would have to be laid before each House. As in my last reply, it would be a departure from standard practice and represent an undue encroachment by the Legislature into the executive function. On balance, I cannot see how making policy directions given to a State...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: As I indicated, the acceptance of this amendment would result in a departure from standard practice. It is also standard practice for a Minister to say this. The difficulty with this proposal is that we would end up with a system such as that in place in the USA, under which people are interviewed in front of a committee about their suitability for a given position. While there are some...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: In Ireland people normally have a political outlook of one kind or another and, happily, are not afraid to express it. In some public houses there are signs forbidding the discussion of religion, politics or sex.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: Such pubs are frequented by Trappist monks. Amendment put and declared lost. Amendment No. 9 not moved.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: A five year term is appropriate. This is an important board which will oversee a vital and growing industry. Tourism will be Ireland's biggest industry within five years. Already it generates foreign revenue of €4 billion, domestic revenue of €1.2 billion and supports 150,000 jobs directly. That gives an idea of its importance to the economy at large. The people on the board will not be...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: They will be on it because they are experts in the area. Senator Quinn is right, the legislation provides that a term will not exceed five years. There is also provision for rotation after three years. The legislation ensures a person cannot serve on the board for life, as is the case at present. People can be appointed and reappointed repeatedly. This is undesirable because fresh ideas can...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (5 Dec 2002)

John O'Donoghue: No, I am deviating from standard practice. Boards should not contain people for life and new thinking is needed. This in time will be the case with virtually all boards and will become standard practice. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment No. 11 not moved. Government amendment No. 12: In page 13, lines 29 and 30, to delete ", but shall hold at least one meeting in each quarter of a...