Results 181-200 of 218 for speaker:Tony Kett

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Second Stage. (8 Oct 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister of State and this amending legislation, the purpose of which is to amend the Criminal Justice Act 1960 to enable the Minister of the day to be more transparent in his judgments when granting temporary releases. We now know this came about following the Corish judgment in 2000 when it was deemed the Minister did not have the power to refuse to consider to grant temporary...

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy. (7 Oct 2003)

Tony Kett: It is a great privilege for me to have worked in the centre that was established by Lady Valerie Goulding in 1951. Along with her great friend, Kathleen O'Rourke, who was also a physiotherapist, she set about establishing a clinic in the humble beginnings of a one-room flat in Pembroke Street. That clinic has since become the Central Remedial Clinic.

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (24 Jun 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister of State and the ongoing provisions of the Act which was passed in 1998. We are all conscious of the background when they were first made. After the tragic events in Omagh when so many men, women and young children died in the most barbaric circumstances, the proposed legislative measures were tough and draconian and may have been too far reaching. However, the...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome this important Bill, the purpose of which is to give effect in Irish law to the provisions of the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, more generally known as the Convention on Human Rights. The convention protects what are seen as basic civil and political rights in a democratic state. They are the rights to life, freedom of speech, freedom from...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister. I do not know who informed him recently that he was talking the talk, but not walking the walk. With five or six Bills in as many weeks, we are certainly running to keep up with him. I was surprised to hear some Opposition Members state that the Minister is moving too fast with the Bill. Since 1997, they have been seeking debates on this issue and for action to be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Bill 2000: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Jun 2003)

Tony Kett: Now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I support the call made by Senator Terry yesterday for a debate on facilities for people with a disability because it will give us the opportunity to reflect on the many fine initiatives taken over the past six years in terms of residential care, day care facilities and special needs assistants, to mention but a few. As the Minister finalises the disability Bill, it would also give us the...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (28 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister of State. I was delighted to hear Senator O'Toole comment on the Bill because I wanted to get a male perspective on it. I found myself out of my depth. I welcome the legislation. As Senator Kate Walsh stated, it amends the 1994 legislation and affords new protections to those in employment, women in particular. That has to be good. I know there have been some negative...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Bill 2000: Second Stage. (27 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister to the House and welcome this very important legislation. I see it as an additional weapon in the fight against organised crime, particularly the trafficking of drugs at sea. This complements the Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003 which we debated last week. What we are doing with both Bills is tackling these guys on the ground and at sea. I have no...

Seanad: Order of Business. - Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (22 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea and the Minister, Deputy McDowell for their contributions. It is a worthwhile Bill that will assist in the fight against organised crime. I thank Senators Terry and Tuffy, in particular, for their contributions and their thought provoking amendments. I am confident their input will form...

Seanad: Order of Business. - Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (22 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I thank the Minister for coming before the House and for dealing, with great clarity, with the amendments tabled by Members. The Bill will clarify the position for the people involved in the trade because they will now know what is expected of them in terms of the requirements it contains and also in respect of their obligations to society. They will also be aware what will be the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I have some sympathy for the Senators' point of view but my experience of chip shops is that the rows seldom start outside; they generally start inside and spill out on to the footpath. It is clear cut – if the Garda is called to an incident that has spilt out of a premises, the chip shop owner should have some responsibility. If a row is started by people walking past and the Garda is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister of State and this valuable legislation which will be a major asset in strengthening the rule of law in the fight against organised crime. As the Minister of State and my colleague, Senator Jim Walsh, outlined, the purpose of the Bill is to give effect in law to a Council framework decision to establish joint investigating teams. Teams will be set up for a specific...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. If the Minister, Deputy Martin, were here I would congratulate him, as I did a couple of weeks ago, on the fine job he is doing in the Department of Health and Children. He has the most difficult portfolio because, no matter what he does and no matter how much funding he allocates to any group in the health sector, our good...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: I am pointing the finger at all Administrations.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: I am pointing the finger at the voluntary hospitals and those who were charged with the responsibility of spending the money wisely and well. If the cap fits, wear it – Senator Burke can add Portiuncula Hospital to the list if he likes.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: He never said that. The manifesto does not state that we would deliver a certain number of medical cards within the first eight months of our coming into office. I will bring Senator Ryan to my office and ask him to show me where it states that.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: Senator Ryan is saying we have reneged on our commitment. We will be in office for the next four years.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: We have four years to deliver our promises. What the Senator is saying is more of the propaganda that the Labour Party pumps out every week. It is not challenged enough. This motion affords us the opportunity to point to all the good this Government has done regarding health. One cannot give good news often enough. The Minister listed the following figures, which I will reiterate.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Tony Kett: A sum of €9.2 billion is being spent on health in 2003. As the Minister said, that represents an increase of 162% in the past five years. It is approximately 7.9% of GNP, a figure subject to revision when the Revised Estimates from December are taken into account.