Results 1,561-1,580 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2018)
John Paul Phelan: That question will have to be directed at the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who is-----
- Seanad: Electoral Commission: Statements (27 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I thank Senators for giving me the opportunity to contribute on this issue. When I was a Member of this House and merely a backbencher in the other House, I spoke about this issue on many occasions. I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the proposal for an electoral commission, a matter which will have a significant impact on the electoral process in Ireland in the next few...
- Seanad: Electoral Commission: Statements (27 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I thank the Senators who have contributed and will try to refer to as many of the issues they have raised as possible. To take the last issue first, I note that the formation of a commission will have no impact on Seanad reform legislation. Several Senators raised this matter. We have committed to the implementation of meaningful Seanad reform. As Senator Paddy Burke pointed out, a...
- Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Boundaries Review (27 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: The report of the Drogheda Boundary Committee, published in February 2017, recommended that there be no change to the existing boundary, subject to a set of recommendations, including the creation of a unified vision for Drogheda, a joint area plan for the greater Drogheda area, a joint retail strategy and a joint initiative to improve community cohesion and identity being carried out. ...
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I am pressing the amendment.
- Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I am asking Members to postpone the vote because we need a proper discussion on the issue. In the year and more since I became Minister of State with responsibility for local government, there has been no discussion solely on local government reform issues. I would welcome that debate. Rather that divide on the Bill, we should have that discussion first.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. It was very interesting, and I am something of an anorak about matters relating to local government. I cannot support the legislation drafted by Deputy Howlin. Nineteen Deputies spoke in the debate and they gave some good reasons as to why they feel the changes were not suitable and have not worked in some areas. My fundamental...
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I do not say that the current system is perfect. I listened to examples given by Deputies from around the country. Deputy Mattie McGrath spoke comically, as usual, about chains of office in Clonmel and council offices in Cashel. What offices are open and not open are matters for Tipperary County Council. The idea is that because the British could not rule Tipperary - I do not know if they...
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I know, and that is absolutely outrageous. However, I am changing that. There is a committee, which will have legislation shortly on how Members of the Seanad should be elected in the future. I wish to deal with other specific issues. Members spoke about this Bill being cost neutral. It is not cost neutral. Deputy Howlin spoke about 100 towns with a population of 5,000 or more....
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: It will not be. The committee members erred in terms of their terms of reference. Any town of more than 30,000 or any ex-borough will have its own municipal district. My local town is New Ross in County Wexford. In the case of the town council in New Ross, some of the people who live in Rosbercon, which is my home area, had a vote in New Ross but the rest of them were in County...
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: There were probably other examples of town councils where Fianna Fáil had the majority that did not suffer, but it was the individuals who were involved.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I did not name any individuals. Deputy Mattie McGrath was naming a public official.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: He was not that fancy.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: That is not allowed, a Cheann Comhairle.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: He cannot say that.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: No, I raised the question of someone having his head shoved so far up a part of his body.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: The Ceann Comhairle will have to clean his ears.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: I know. That is not what I objected to.
- Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2018)
John Paul Phelan: What is wrong with the north Tipperary people?