Results 1,701-1,720 of 4,905 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I commend Senators Warfield and Ruane and their colleagues on putting forward this legislation this evening in the Seanad. As somebody who worked for almost 25 years with young people, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years of age, I am certainly not afraid of giving them a vote.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am very proud of the fact that I worked alongside them. I have no doubt that if they had a vote at the time when I stood for the local elections I would have doubled my vote on that occasion.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am not afraid to give the franchise to 16 year olds in this country.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I will certainly not be lectured to here by those who have come late to the democratic process on our island.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I will certainly not be lectured to here by those who claim to be liberals, yet have been part of a Conservative Government that rules the Six Counties of this island for Britain.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: If one wants to hear the truth, then let us hear the truth.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: Some people stand up here and say, "Let's not politicise this thing", and then they continue to politicise.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: We, as a party-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I listen to everybody's point of view here, without interruption, and I would like the same courtesy afforded to me. Regarding the proposal before us, what Senator Gavan and some of his colleagues said is true. It is part of Fianna Fáil policy and it was in our manifesto for the last general election. That is correct and nobody has denied it. I am in favour of affording the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: -----then it is not worth the effort. That is my firm belief. As has been pointed out by some colleagues, it is necessary to hold a referendum to roll out full voting rights.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I accept that this House has no power in that regard.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is not that long ago since the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years. It was in 1973 after a referendum was conducted in 1972. The proposal was passed by over 300,000 votes. In May 2015, a proposal was put, by way of referendum, to reduce the age of persons deemed eligible to stand for a presidential election from 35 to 21 years of age. The proposal was overwhelmingly defeated by...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank the Senator for being consistent. When he hears something that is not to his liking, he interrupts.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator had an opportunity to speak. With respect, through the Chair, I have been afforded this time to make my point on behalf of my party and myself. We need to take time out and deal with voting rights correctly. We need to treat 16 and 17 year olds with respect.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: We must give them full voting rights-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: -----by way of putting this matter to a referendum at a time when we feel we have a chance of winning it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: If we held one at the moment, I do not believe that a referendum would pass, based on the result of the vote to reduce the age at which people are eligible to stand for presidential elections. We need to give this matter time. I will go along with this proposal even though I cannot give it my full support because it does not go far enough as far as I am concerned. We should give this...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Telecommunications Services Provision (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Minister without interruption, please.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Air Quality (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank the Minister. We are well over time.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Air Quality (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: Unfortunately, we are out of time. I thank the Senator and the Minister.