Results 13,981-14,000 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 466: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí employed in Carlow town for each year from 2002 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/06]

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (31 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 510: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for the provision of an extra classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2813/06]

Written Answers — Third Level Enrolments: Third Level Enrolments (31 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 522: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason students are registering late for courses in higher education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2927/06]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 523: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the design team will be appointed in respect of the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2930/06]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 528: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when facilities will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3162/06]

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: A pragmatic outcome.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: I wanted a pragmatic outcome — lower prices.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: We could get our milk from Hong Kong.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: I welcome the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005. Having listened to the Minister's speech, I notice he did not draw any conclusions about the impact this legislation would have on consumer prices, similar to the advice and submissions he received. The clear submissions, on which he relied mainly to make these changes, were from the Competition Authority and the Consumer Strategy Group. The...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: It is with a deep sense of irony that this House debates this Bill. The Government has done almost nothing to improve the lot of our consumers. It has presided over an appalling lack of competition in every area from energy to insurance, from transport to communications. It is only since the Government was stung by a TV series broadcast last August that it is attempting to pull the wool over...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: I read it carefully. This Bill was prepared by the Minister at breakneck speed, and he attempted to rush it through the Houses before the end of the year.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: The Minister did. Not surprisingly it has all the hallmarks——

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Not surprisingly it has all the hallmarks of having been hastily drafted and presented because there are many flaws in it. The abolition of the groceries order and the introduction of these changes are clearly meant to take the heat off the Government for its inaction towards Irish consumers for a long time. Faced with the ever increasing costs, particularly those in the State sector, and in...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: It was. No representative of the association was appointed to the agency.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Such people should have been appointed, rather than the friends of the Minister, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: I am being provoked.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: Perhaps the Chair will say something to the Minister about provoking speakers.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: There is some precedent in this regard. The National Consumer Agency can consider the Competition Authority's disgracefully low level of performance and output. Few entities established by the Oireachtas have made so much noise while doing so little for consumers over the years. The authority has failed to connect with the issues of utmost importance to people. It has preferred to concentrate...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: As the Department stated in its report, there is nothing wrong with people using the statistics which best illustrate their own case.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2006)

Phil Hogan: We know what side the Minister is on. As I said, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment accepted in its report that there is nothing wrong with people using the statistics which best illustrate their case. That is a criticism that might also apply to the Department. I have serious concerns about the provisions the Minister is introducing in this legislation. The key objection to...