Results 1,741-1,760 of 4,936 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

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.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Wildlife Control (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: We have a final Commencement matter. I understand that the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, is flying in for this one. I welcome the Minister of State. We are down to the wire in terms of time, so I ask Members to be as brief as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: Like previous speakers, I wish our female colleagues a happy International Women's Day, as well as the general female population of the country. They are in the majority and I wish them well. Right on cue, yesterday morning another baby girl arrived into the world in time to celebrate the day. She is the new daughter of our colleague, Senator Keith Swanick, and his wife, Aislinn. I wish...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: The gender quota did not apply to the Seanad election. Is it not extraordinary that the Labour Party was the only party to fail to put forward a female candidate for election? The Senator is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It will not get him or his party anywhere. Fianna Fáil put forward female candidates both in the general election and the Seanad election and I am glad...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: She was elected as an Independent Member.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: There were token candidates, including in the Leader's party, although not in the case of the Fianna Fáil Party.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator let the cat out of the bag. This section is very technical and we have already dealt with the amendment. I ask Senators to stick to the section. We must make progress. Attempting to stall legislation by repeating what has already been said on Second or Committee Stage will get us nowhere.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: I am loath to intervene while Members are speaking, but most of the points made have nothing to do with the section. If we continue in this way, we will get nowhere. I might as well leave this chair and sit with the Minister in the anteroom. If we want to have a reasoned and sensible debate, we have to move on because we are legislators, not commentators. Senators should, please, stick to...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: We can reserve our comments until we get there.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Diarmuid Wilson: You will have an opportunity to come back, if you wish, Senator Higgins. However, I am moving on to the next speaker. Thank you, Senator Daly. I did not know you had such an in-depth knowledge of birds and I commend you on it.