Results 1,501-1,520 of 4,085 for speaker:Dan Boyle

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I welcome the passage of the Bill through the House and its prior passage through the Dáil. It is the third item of automatic legislation that stems from budget 2008, the other two being the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill, which takes care of provisions put in place from 1 January onwards. This legislation will deal with future increases in social welfare expenditure from 1 April...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I move: That Seanad Éireann supports the commitment in the Programme for Government to work to bring into being an Electoral Commission. It is a pleasure to move this motion this evening in Green Party Private Members' time. I welcome the fact that an amendment to the motion has not been tabled and take it as a general degree of interest among all the parties in this Chamber in working...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: We will address this in the debate also.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I am interested to hear from all sections of the House what proposals they might make in this regard. It is important to recognise that the need for this exists not only in terms of efficiency. We need a body such as an independent stand-alone electoral commission to have and restore public confidence in politics. I would like to think the Minister is open to suggestions. The Green Party...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: In general I welcome the Bill because it is necessary to reform many aspects of legislation on passports. It is an important document for all our citizens and we must ensure it serves its purpose for them in terms of its security and general usefulness. I continue to have concerns on some aspects of the Bill, which I will elucidate as I speak. A passport is probably of greater importance...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: It is the principle rather than the content of the decision. There should be a greater onus on Parliament to enact legislation on foot of discrepancies that have been identified through judicial decisions. We have not done that as well as we should have in the past. My problem with this Bill is with the specific references about gender assignation. There is a far greater difficulty with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I thank Senators for their contributions. Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Harris, Hannigan, Healy Eames, Regan, Mullen and John Paul Phelan referred to the letter written by Deputy John Cregan which appeared in today's edition of the The Irish Times. I agree with Senator O'Toole that Deputy Cregan has a right to make whatever statement he likes. The question of whether he made...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: We can request that too. The Taoiseach has agreed to appear before the House, but when he is likely to be available is still being worked out. It is hoped that it will be in the near future. With regard to Part V, the planning and development legislation, Senator Coghlan wanted particular elucidation on my behalf. The situation is quite simple.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: There is nothing in the programme for Government to amend legislation in this area. While the policy of my party might differ in that regard and we might persuade people to think otherwise about how the Act might be formed, it is a matter of ongoing discussion and persuasion.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: We will see how that transpires in the years to come. The last point following from the matter of regional development raised by Senator Phelan is the issue of university status for Waterford——

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: Yes, for the south east in general.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: ——and the Waterford Institute of Technology. The request has been made on several occasions but it depends on the availability of the Minister. There is no reason such a debate cannot occur.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: I have made a general point on the schools building programme.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: It will be noted and we will see what can happen.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Dan Boyle: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on Fairtrade, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 5.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, spokespersons may speak for 12 minutes and all other Senators for ten minutes and Senators may share time with the agreement of the House with the Minister to be called on ten minutes from the conclusion of the...

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Feb 2008)

Dan Boyle: I welcome that not only are we debating this Bill today but also that this is the first Bill to be initiated in the 23rd Seanad. The record of the 21st Seanad and 22nd Seanad in initiating legislation was very good. As members of this Seanad we should be seeking similar access towards progressing legislation. This is a technical Bill and the contributions to the debate so far have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Dan Boyle: That contradicts what the Senator has just said.

Seanad: Coast Guard Stations: Statements (Resumed). (27 Feb 2008)

Dan Boyle: It is rare to hear the House speak in one voice on such an issue, especially one that could be used for narrow party political purposes. While some attempt has been made to remind the Government of its responsibilities in this area, it is fair to say all contributions have supported the retention of both Coast Guard stations. That is how it should be because logic does not seem to have had...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Dan Boyle: I agree with Senator Coffey's proposal for a debate on environmental protection. Concerns should be expressed regarding Ireland's slide from tenth to 34th position in the world in respect of environmental protection. This slide occurred because in the past policies were discussed rather than implemented. The agencies to which Senator Coffey referred should be the focus of such a debate....

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Dan Boyle: ——but the right questions are not being asked by the right people in this regard.