Results 1,461-1,480 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Dan Boyle: Am I not sitting on this side of the Chamber?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Dan Boyle: There is a certain Senator who sometimes believes a meeting in this Chamber is a meeting of the Cork GAA county board. There should be a better sense of decorum.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Dan Boyle: Along with Senator Fitzgerald, I refer to the ongoing events in Limerick on which I would like to have a wider debate. Obviously in terms of public safety no one accepts what is happening in Limerick but we all should work towards the success of the Limerick regeneration plan in particular. Everyone in public life should do so. We should debate the wider issue of trying to encourage...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament (8 Apr 2008)

Dan Boyle: I welcome President Pöttering. In my role as Deputy Leader of the House and representing the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, I join in the welcome given to him by previous speakers and welcome several aspects of his speech. Senator Fitzgerald has raised the details of the position on climate change and energy security and I, too, welcome those aspects of the President's speech. It is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: The Leader did not have an opportunity to respond to two issues I raised yesterday and I wish to reaffirm them today. The first was raised by Senator Mullen this morning, namely, the question of Tibet, and the House has an opportunity to speak with one voice on this issue. While No. 17, motion 8 on the Order Paper in the name of the Independent Senators does not refer directly to current...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: There is an onus on everyone in the political system to say that things can be done differently and I do not hear those voices.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: In particular, a sense of perspective is needed. The economy is in continued growth although there is uncertainty in the world.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: No one wishes to see a return to the time when our debt-gross domestic product ratio was 140% of what was being collected in taxes in any given year. Many factors can be considered in respect of the economy's future that will put us in a better position in an uncertain world and global economic climate. I would like the opportunity to discuss such matters in the House when Members return...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: Tax avoidance.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I welcome the presentation of the Bill to the House and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Bill is an important policy initiative that clearly shows the presence of the Green Party in government. Consequently, the welcome given by other Senators is to be acknowledged. It is clear the previous system of motor tax was grossly inequitable and did...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I am trying to be light-hearted.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: During last year's general election, Fine Gael seemed to have in its possession half of the sports utility vehicle, SUV, fleet in the country.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: In my constituency, there were at least 15 vehicles.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: That was one constituency. If it is multiplied by 43 constituencies, we would know the total sum of the net effect on the environment.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: We have come a long way since the time when many public representatives thought a carbon footprint was a piece of copying paper stuck to a shoe. There is now a real debate on the nature of the environmental damage caused by the previous failed policies of all parties that have been in government and on the need to address those policies. It is undoubtedly true that car ownership and usage in...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: As we are beginning to order business for after the Easter recess there are three items I wish to bring to the Leader's attention that may be worthy of debate in this House. There should be a detailed debate on the private rented housing sector on foot of the "Prime Time" programme last night. The State is the largest tenant in the country and spends more on rents through the rent allowance...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: The final issue I wish to bring to the Leader's attention relates to a decision to be made on 31 May by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on a restructuring of the community development support programme. Pending this decision, the Seanad should have an opportunity to ask why it is being made, the effect it will have and how resources are likely to be allocated after...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: While I note the recommendation is not being pressed, I wish to outline some of my thoughts on the Commission on Taxation. It was included in the programme for Government at the suggestion of the Green Party and I am happy that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance has established the body. The terms of reference are not about what the commission can or cannot do. The commission has a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: This is brain injury awareness week. Yesterday, Oireachtas Members had the advantage of a briefing from Brí, the Acquired Brain Injury Advocacy Association, which highlighted that this condition, whether brought on by trauma or following a stroke, is very much the poor relation in terms of both the health service and additional supports. It would be useful to have a debate on the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: The Finance Bill gives legal effect to many of the budget provisions announced in December, with a few additional measures that subsequently have been approved by the Minister for Finance and the Cabinet. The Short Title of the Bill describes it as: An Act to provide for the imposition, repeal, remission, alteration and regulation of taxation, of stamp duties and of duties relating to...