Results 281-300 of 34,016 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I was about to welcome the fact that the homeless strategy implementation plan would be put on a statutory footing as part of this Bill but having heard the Minister of State's latest comments, I am not sure if that is his intention. He said he hopes to publish it by the end of the year and that it will then be put on a statutory footing. We need some clarity on this issue. Will the...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying the position because I and other Members were not clear as to his intentions in terms of the homeless strategy implementation plan. The second part of that question, and it arises out of the Minister of State's comment that he intends to publish the plan by the end of the year, is when he expects the Bill to be in effect. If he is only publishing...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. On a number of occasions in the Seanad, I have referred to the high level of unemployment nationally, particularly in my county, Donegal. County Donegal had been experiencing a recession for many decades before the national recession. Donegal had the highest level of unemployment, at approximately 18%, which was three or four times above the national average....

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister for his reply. The information I have is that four new positions will be made available to County Donegal. I do not think that will go far enough but perhaps the Department has made an assessment that this number is what is required. I believe more positions are needed. What strikes me is that information is not included in the response. Does the Minister have any...

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The matter I raise in this debate is the need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to address the financial crisis that is being experienced in my home county by Donegal County Council, which has led to the announcement by union representatives, which has been confirmed, that 238 employees of the council are to be made...

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the Minister of State's reply. However, what is happening is crazy. The Minister of State has confirmed the €200 charge has been already incorporated into the funding given to Donegal County Council. This means the nominal 6% reduction in this year's allocation to Donegal County Council is closer to being a reduction of 12% or 13%. As the Minister of State pointed out, €4.6...

Seanad: Local Government Funding (27 Nov 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister of State should ask the Minister to clarify what he considers to be relevant provisions. What does he consider an acceptable minimal level of services to be provided to local authorities? Does he believe it acceptable that no refuse collectors or litter wardens exist in wide areas of County Donegal or that there are not enough planners or staff to process housing claims for...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the Report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union, particularly as it is now less than two days until the European Council meets in Brussels. It has been clear to us all along that the Government had no intention of addressing the concerns of the electorate about the Lisbon treaty and instead set itself on a course to...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I did not interrupt Senator Donohoe.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Which facts have we invented?

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Which facts have we invented in this speech?

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister of State is making accusations that are wild and unfounded. He cannot stand over them.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: In the report, we acknowledge the role of the European Union in terms of peace——

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I respect the Chair but I also respect the truth.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister should read the report.

Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit. As my party colleague, Deputy Ferris, stated in respect of the current crisis, the priority now must be to limit the extent of the damage done to the sector and to protect the many livelihoods and jobs that have been affected. I spent the past couple of hours in my office trying to deal with pig farmers from County Donegal whose animals could not be...

Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: The reason some Irish retailers continued to sell Irish pork products after the recall on Sunday is that the products were produced in other countries but labelled as Irish products. If we are to deal effectively with this crisis we need to deal with the issue of labelling of Irish meats so that consumers are not duped into thinking they are buying Irish pork when it is imported pork...

Seanad: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Bhain mé sult as an méid a bhí le rá aige ar an rún a d'ardaigh an Seanadóir Buttimer, mar cheist iontach gar do mo chroí féin í. Bíodh sin mar atá, tá ceist difriúl le plé agam os comhair an tSeanaid anocht, ceist faoi eastát tithíochta atá curtha ar fáil ag Clúid in Bundoran i gContae Dún na nGall. I wish to refer to the voluntary...

Seanad: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Dec 2008)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I appreciate that he will raise the issue of the €320,000 with the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, and inform him that a representative from Clúid addressed Bundoran Town Council earlier this summer and said the money was still available to be drawn down and that the Department was waiting on an application from the community. This matter...