Results 13,921-13,940 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I thank Senator O'Rourke for sharing her time. I am glad to have the opportunity to make some points on the issue, and I will try not to be repetitive, although much has already been said. I am grateful to Fine Gael for airing the matter in their time, as there is much agreement that there is a problem and much needs to be done to rectify it. We would all like this to happen as soon as...
- Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: As the youngest Member on the Fianna Fáil side of this House, I contend this is ridiculous. Is it not true that no outgoing Member of the Dáil for the Labour Party is under 50? I say this before Senator White accuses me of being ageist.
- Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I would be delighted if the demographic profile of the register had more 18-year-olds rather than 80-year-olds. If that is not the case, we aspire to bring that about. With regard to e-voting, I have a romantic view because I was brought up around count centres. I would like to have the old analogue method forever, but I am realistic. We are moving in a certain direction, so we should accept...
- Seanad: Electoral Register: Motion. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: Many people made great sacrifices over hundreds of years to give everybody that right. As a result, it should be mandatory.
- Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I join with others in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. I welcome this Bill, which, as Senator McDowell noted, establishes a road safety authority and gives the Minister the opportunity to make regulations, which is very positive. Any measure which attempts to resolve what is effectively a national emergency involving the deaths of so many people is a positive development that...
- Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: Can I share my time with Senator Kate Walsh?
- Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: Senators O'Toole and McDowell referred to licences which stored information via chip and PIN technology, for example. This would be beneficial in a range of issues, not least of which is driving competency, but also all State transactions. I am sure this matter will arise in later debates on the register of electors. I welcome the Bill. It is another step in the right direction but more needs...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: The discrepancies that have been found in the electoral register are a disgrace. It is clearly a serious issue. However, with respect to students and part-time workers, getting them to carry out the work would not treat it with the importance it deserves. Voter registration should be linked to PPS numbers and a national identification card should be introduced to address a series of issues...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)
Marc MacSharry: E-voting could also be linked to a national identification card using chip and PIN technology, which should also be used in the areas of taxation, passports and so on. The sooner we wake up and begin to move forward, the better. The electoral register should be updated on a professional basis, not by part-time workers. It should be essential for every individual to exercise his or her...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I am glad the Senator is looking at the Taoiseach's website.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: If it was in The Guardian, it must be true.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: It is the cornerstone of the republic.
- Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion. (22 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this motion. While I will support the amendment, I am grateful to Senator Henry for putting this issue on the agenda for debate. I commend the Government, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State on all they are doing. That is not to deny, however, that much more needs to be done. I concur with much of what was said by Senator McHugh. We are behind...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I ask the Leader for a debate on youth affairs. I do not know if Members are aware but this weekend the annual Dáil na nÃg was held in Croke Park, attended by some 200 school pupils from all around the country. We should debate the many challenges that confront youth. The House is always graced with the presence of many school pupils, far exceeding that of members of the press, so it is...
- Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: The Leader is right but I am complaining about the fact that they do not. The Leader was talking to the Minister while I was mentioning that so I will reiterate it to the Minister. We cannot make the sweeping statement that hotels are not included because every region is different. One size will not fit all. There are many things in the north west region we would consider valuable parts of...
- Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I join with other Senators in welcoming the Minister to the House and welcome the opportunity to make some points on the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006. I am particularly pleased to see the Bill come before the House because in July 2001, having co-written a report on the infrastructural deficiencies of the north west region, I had the privilege of presenting...
- Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I join with others in welcoming the Minister to the House. As I do not bring any pioneering aspect to the table in terms of this legislation, I shall be brief. I am in agreement with Senator O'Toole in disagreeing with the manner the debate on this matter has been personalised against the Minister. That is wrong. In general I admire the conviction with which the Minister goes about whatever...
- Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)
Marc MacSharry: I wish to share time with Senator Leyden. I support the motion. No Administration in the history of the State has done more for local government reform and funding than the coalition in power since 1997.
- Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)
Marc MacSharry: As I have only two minutes speaking time, I ask Opposition Senators not to heckle. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, deserves particular tribute for being on top of his brief.
- Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)
Marc MacSharry: Having said that, I wish to raise a number of issues which Opposition Senators should not confuse with support for the amendment. On the issue of local government funding, before selective amnesia affects us all the abolition of domestic rates featured in every manifesto preceding the general election in question. One wonders whether this was a good idea at the time and one can speculate...