Results 161-180 of 501 for speaker:Maurice Hayes

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I too would like to express my sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Liam Lawlor. I knew him better as a hurler and I had great regard for his abilities in that area. He was always very courteous and nice to me. I have an interest to declare as a director of Independent Newspapers. While today is not a very good day to be a director of Independent Newspapers in this House, Sunday was a worse...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: It was insensitive, intrusive, lacking in compassion and unfair. From all those perspectives, it was wrong. The editor, I presume, will answer for that in his next issue. However, the damage has been done. It is an enormous own goal, which we all recognise. I have been working for some time with a group in the industry on the question of a statutory press council or a fully independent press...

Seanad: European Union: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I also welcome the Taoiseach and thank him for his efforts as regards the European Presidency and the developments that have taken place. I thank him, too, for his kind remarks concerning the National Forum on Europe. Following on from something Senator McDowell said, the forum does not claim any monopoly on the discussion. I would worry if it were to be given a type of monopolistic position...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt. I hope he does not mind that I wish to address the spirit of the Taoiseach as if he were still here. It is a great day for the Taoiseach and we are glad of the opportunity to congratulate him on his contribution to the peace process, which is not only enormous but crucial. A mutual friend, Chris Patten, once described the Taoiseach as a "canny...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: The Agreement provided elaborate balancing structures. If we frighten off Unionists by suggesting they are on a rollercoaster which takes them inevitably to the destination of a united Ireland it is not only subversive but problematic. I agree with Senator Dardis on the need for a local administration. Only a local administration will work. Even if direct rule Ministers are efficient and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I support the proposition to not only debate the employment of consultants by Departments but the entire strategic management initiative, as it would allow me to indulge one of my prejudices as a former civil servant, namely, the use of consultants.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: Departments should be allowed to build up their own capacities. It would involve not placing silly bars on the employment or remuneration of people.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: There are cheaper ways to achieve one's aims. Individuals rather than large organisations can be brought in. On the matter of computer programmes, the only consolation is that this also happens in other jurisdictions. I have witnessed many such events. They all arise from people pursuing the Holy Grail of a universal system to answer all of their problems.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Maurice Hayes: People get saddled and ridden at Beecher's by consultants and we pay for it. I would welcome a debate on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Maurice Hayes: An article in one of the morning newspapers referred to a Polish magazine which recounted the difficulties faced by Polish people in Ireland. I have many Polish friends and while the article may have overstated the case, it underlined the need for the House to discuss an immigration policy. The economy will require 50,000 to 60,000 fresh labourers every year for the next ten years and we must...

Seanad: Garda Investigations: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I wish to share my time with Senator White.

Seanad: Garda Investigations: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I do not often disagree with Senator Feeney but I do not think we need any courage in this House. The people who show the real courage are the Rafferty and McCartney families. It is easy enough for us to talk about the rule of law but the really courageous people are those who vindicate the rule of law. It is easy to talk about rights but the courageous people are those who assert their...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I too wish to refer to the report of the international commission led by General de Chastelain. I generally associate myself with the remarks of Senator Mansergh. We should recognise the efforts made by the people, both those in government and those within the republican movement and what it means to them, who brought this development about. We should also recognise the courage and integrity...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Maurice Hayes: It was an entirely unnecessary war which has caused damage that will last for generations. If its purpose was to remove partition, it has made that more difficult. Furthermore, if its purpose was to protect Catholics in the North, why did more Catholics die than members of any other congregation? Having said that, this development marked a good day for our democracy and I congratulate and...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I was one of those who argued strongly in favour of a single ombudsman. I continue to prefer such a model. I accept that the Minister has moved a considerable distance in our direction. We are now charged with encouraging him to find an amiable extrovert to fill the office in question. The key argument in favour of a one-person ombudsman model is brand recognition. It is important that the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I will not bore the Minister as he knows my views on the police authority and I know his. It is not quite a draw as the Minister won. This series of amendments is of major importance and goes to the heart of the problem of policing a democratic society. It is important that the Minister has introduced them. I have some comments to make. I was astounded when reading the Morris tribunal report...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I will not prolong the agony too much. I welcome this section. The Minister might consider subsection (11) in terms of the guidelines dealing with the type of issues raised. It seems right to give power to the Commissioner but I imagine a Commissioner in any ordered society would also have the power to delegate it down the line to be dealt with locally. It seems to be the type of function...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I too welcome the introduction of a reserve force. It could be very important, particularly in regard to community policing. This is especially so of the point the Minister made about continuity of contact. These people are more likely to be recognised in the community because they are likely to be older people with time to give to this work. I am glad the Minister proposed the amendment...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I, too, would like to have had more time for a combined Oireachtas discussion on this important Bill. The Minister is constrained by the time available to him. Like Senator Mansergh, as a simple former civil servant, I cannot see why the time could not have been extended because there is value in a close committee-style scrutiny of complicated matters. Having said that, the Minister engaged...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I apologise. They are under the Ombudsman commission heading. My bad reading is to blame and there is quite a lot of documentation. The Cathaoirleach might deal with these amendments as a technical issue.