Results 1,301-1,320 of 1,677 for speaker:Ned O'Sullivan

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (16 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for a very comprehensive update on the position. No more than himself, I was not aware until now that the further complaint had been progressed. I will reflect on this information. The Minister will know how frustrating it is for the people who have been looking for this project for so long and to see it being constantly edged away on what to them seems pure...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I rarely disagree with my colleague, the senior Senator for Kerry, Senator Paul Coghlan. While I share his high opinion of the Taoiseach on a personal level, the Taoiseach made a very serious error of political judgment when he came to this House to address a group of people other than ourselves.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: The Taoiseach has declared his position on the Seanad and he obviously thinks that by ignoring us, we will go away but that will not happen because the people of Ireland will have the ultimate say in that regard. I have been a public representative since 1985 and I have acquired a reasonable political antenna in that time-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: -----and it is my opinion that if there was a referendum in the morning to abolish the Seanad, the Taoiseach would be soundly beaten. I would welcome an opportunity for the Taoiseach to come to the House to engage with us on how best we can reform the Seanad but ignoring us is not the way forward. On another issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I have a question for the Deputy Leader. Last week Senators gave a general welcome for the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, about Shannon Airport. As someone from the mid-west I recognise that Shannon Airport is important for all of us. However, there was a sidebar to that which was not greatly illuminated in last week's debate, namely, the rejuggling of functions between the...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I second the proposal and I am proud to do so. I commend my colleague, Senator Averil Power, on her work on the legislation and her ongoing commitment to the general area. I also commend her on her courage because sadly one still needs courage to bring forward legislation in this general area. We have made great progress but prejudice still exists. I echo her call to deal with the issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I was referred to in a debate yesterday as Ned O'Shea. I am beginning to enjoy the anonymity of it all. It might be timely to have a debate on the Irish horse-racing industry, especially in light of the recent great news from China, whereby the Chinese will attempt to establish a racing industry of their own, based on the Irish model and using the expertise and knowledge of our Irish...

Seanad: Pension Provisions (18 Apr 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I ask the Government to review the Garda superannuation scheme in order to provide justice and fairness to a number of former members, 81 in total, who have been deprived of their preserved retirement benefits due to the fact that they were dismissed or left the service prior to 1 October 1976. The Garda Síochána superannuation scheme was introduced by way of statutory instrument, SI...

Seanad: Pension Provisions (18 Apr 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. It does not surprise me because I have seen the file of various representations made in this regard. At the heart of the matter lies, for a small group of people, a sense of injustice for which they do not seem to be able to get closure. They are not pursuing it for monetary reasons but as a matter of principle. They may have to revert...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Apr 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister back to the House. I broadly welcome the scope of this Bill. This side of the House has been consistent in supporting the Government's road safety programme, much of which was initiated during Fianna Fáil's term in Government under the then Minister, Mr. Noel Dempsey. We see this Bill as another cog in the wheel and, therefore, we welcome it. We have certain...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I would like to share time with Senator Wilson.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: During the last Seanad, those of us who were on the Government side had to accept a daily lambasting. It was a question of total and non-stop opposition to our policies morning, noon and night. There is a strong temptation for us to indulge in the same thing. As de Valera said to Churchill one time, however, "that is not the reply I shall make tonight".

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: We are far more responsible than that.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I have to say we are far more responsible in opposition than the previous Opposition was when we were in government. There is no doubt about it.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: We are starting from the premise that we want this Government to be successful. It is important for the country that the Government is successful. I want the Government to be successful.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: If it is doing well, we will applaud it. I will admit to anybody that progress is being made in certain areas of government, particularly the agriculture industry. I have no major fault to find with the way the Government is approaching budgetary reform and trying to get us out of our economic difficulty. Having said that, its agriculture policy is based completely on the Food Harvest 2020...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: At this stage, even the Taoiseach realises he made a mistake when he advocated the abolition of the Seanad. I have no doubt that the proposal will be reversed, either by the Government or by the people. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, has been talking about local government reform for so long that we have a pain in the face from it. We are still waiting for his paper to be brought to the Cabinet.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I am mentioning a few of the issues that bother me. I suggest that very few Members of the Oireachtas would say the reformed Oireachtas committee structure is an improvement. Most people would say it is an absolute disimprovement.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: The huge committees that have been set up have substantial workloads and very little engagement from members. I am keen to talk about such issues.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Ned O'Sullivan: I would like to speak about the dumbing down of education. The scandalous reduction in the salaries of teachers at the point of entry is reducing the status of teaching. As a former teacher, I suggest this measure is a blow to the pride of the profession. If the Cathaoirleach will indulge me, I will conclude by mentioning a local issue. I have raised the Shannon LNG project on several...