Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,714 for speaker:John Dardis

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

John Dardis: It is important the Seanad takes cognisance of the fact that Ireland holds the Presidency of the European Union and I wish the Taoiseach and the Government well in that onerous task as did the leader of the Opposition in the Dáil. This is the appropriate House in which to debate some of the issues arising from the comprehensive programme for the Irish Presidency. The Seanad is well equipped...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (21 Jan 2004)

John Dardis: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I wish to be associated with the other groups in the House in extending our sympathy to the wife and family of the late Pat Joe Reynolds. He had a remarkable long life of public service to the State and to the people of Leitrim. His family's continuing service to the State since its foundation is very noteworthy, particularly in the circumstances of his...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive. No. 1 is a motion that was referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights which has completed its deliberations thereon. It concerns the application of certain provisions of the 2000 Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and its 2001 protocol to include Iceland and Norway. It is proposed to take...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: I hope I am not having a strange effect on the House. Perhaps the absence of the Leader has caused this mayhem. I thank the leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, for agreeing to take all stages of the two Bills before the House today. It is necessary to dispose of legislation before Christmas and I thank the Senator for facilitating this. Senators Brian Hayes, McDowell, Glynn,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: It surprises me that a former finance spokesperson of the Labour Party did not read the relevant document, which states that €20 million will be allocated in January for this purpose.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: There is no muddled thinking on this matter by any member of the Government. Attending the opening of a section of motorway in County Kildare which cost €160 million, the Minister for Finance made the point that this is a small country. Irrespective of whether one has a Dublin mindset, this city is grinding to a halt. It will be beneficial to the country and the capital that 10,300 jobs...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: I said I did not want to interfere in the affairs of the Gaelic Athletic Association. However, I attended the international rules match in Melbourne and wondered why it took place in the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: Senator Glynn mentioned mobile phones and the possibility of having a debate on that issue, which is something we should try to do. He also mentioned the matter of images on the Internet. Senator Burke raised the matter of education. An extra €30 million was allocated in the budget for the purposes of capital funding. I heard the Minister for Education and Science explicitly state on a trip...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: The programme on the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes was another very good example of good journalism by RTE. Obviously, what happened to the employees there at the time the business closed was not acceptable. I fully agree with what the Senator said about Niall Mellon. One of the things about it that struck me was that it was the sports reporter on "Morning Ireland"—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: Yes, it was Des Cahill who was the one who could bring good news to us, instead of the constant continuous whinge that we have on that programme every morning. It was something to celebrate and a marvellous story.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: In answer to Senator Leyden, we should debate decentralisation. I was not sure what Senator Bannon was saying, not because he was not making sense, but because he was being interrupted so often. He has a point about better local government, which is something the House should examine. I noted what he said about the payments to health board executives.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: Senator Scanlon also raised the "Prime Time" programme. I do not have anything to say about the Adjournment debate which was raised by Senator Feighan as it is a matter for the Cathaoirleach, but it is a long-standing tradition of the House that people who are not here to defend themselves are not attacked in the way the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, was attacked.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: What he was purported to have said, which was subsequently withdrawn, is not something that takes place very commonly here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: It is not common to talk about people who are not here to defend themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: On Senator Wilson's comments about the Minister for Finance—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: Senator Wilson made a point about the Minister for Finance coming here to talk about decentralisation. I am sure the Minister for Finance will be here to discuss the budget.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: This side of the House will accept the most vigorous political charges against the Minister, but not an imputation that he misled the Houses.

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Motions. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: Draft Council Decision concerning the signature of the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the application of certain provisions...

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Motions. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties,

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Motions. (9 Dec 2003)

John Dardis: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Framework Decision on Confiscation of Crime Related Proceeds, Instrumentalities and Property, a copy of which proposed measure was laid before Seanad Éireann on...