Results 41-60 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Written Answers — Smoking Ban: Smoking Ban (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 354: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the debate about herbal cigarettes in the context of the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9611/04]

Written Answers — Smoking Ban: Smoking Ban (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 355: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm plans for the implementation of the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9612/04]

Written Answers — European Security: European Security (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 430: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the special meeting held in Brussels to deal with European security issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9616/04]

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 445: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report progress towards the provision of closed circuit television throughout Tallaght, Dublin 24; if he will provide details of contracts he has had in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9934/04]

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: On the Deputy's side.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I am pleased I made the long trip from Tallaght to be the next speaker. It is good to see so many Members here early in the morning. I acknowledge the presence of the Leader of the Opposition to hear me speak.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Given that we are all here so early, I wonder whether Members were up late last night to watch "TV3 News". I was watching the news and a film because I was trying to relax. The poll carried out indicated that an amazing 80% of people are in favour of the legislation before us. I would contrast that——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: We all know the question that was asked and the answer received. It is very accurate and we should all listen to it.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: So do I. I wonder about the events in this House, how they are impacting on the public, how the public is reacting and the damage it is doing to the body politic. As a new Member, I am sometimes fascinated by the workings of this House. I was here the week before last for the various debates and votes. There were all sorts of arguments and rows about whether this House should sit these two...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Deputy English in his excellent contribution last night made a point about the level of debate in the House and the manner in which people were treating it. He was sorry about the way my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, was treated by some of his colleagues.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: That is what he implied. The Deputy can read the record if he was not here. I know he was touring the House, which is fair enough. In fairness, we should understand that this is a very important debate and that the public is watching what we are doing.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: We should understand that some of the scenes in the Dáil yesterday did no great service to the political system. People are talking about the polls to be held 49 days from tomorrow and how the public will react. People appear to be needlessly worried about how the public will react. Members of the Irish public have proved time and time again that they have the capability to understand issues...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: No. Does someone wish to share time with me?

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I will be happy if the Minister wishes to share my time and if Deputy English were to arrive, I would be happy to facilitate him. It is important to consider what we will be doing over the next 50 days. The public will expect us to divide our time between the various issues that must be dealt with by 11 June. It will be a pity if those issues impede the campaign for the local elections. I...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: However, I am happier when I am out in my constituency doing my seven clinics.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: Perhaps Members want me to spend my time naming every estate I represent. It is only 10.40 a.m. and I have already been in several estates in Tallaght. I am happy to make that point. I intend to share some time with my colleague, Deputy Michael Smith.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: In case it has not been clear to my colleagues opposite, I strongly support the Government position on the referendum on citizenship. It is important that we do that. I was making the point regarding my constituency, which bears out what TV3 reported last night, namely, people are expressing strong support for this legislation. Regardless of whether we like that or wish to reflect other views...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: I have not all that much time and the Deputy should let me make my point. I have listened very carefully to all our colleagues, both here in the Chamber and in my room via the monitor. People are entitled to make their case. It is an important debate and, as I said, the attendance in the House yesterday proved that. It is a pity that some of the contributions yesterday bordered on hysteria,...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: It was a clear speech. Those of us who are new here sometimes do not understand that politics is politics and that people must go on with it for their own sake. However, ultimately we must go out, knock on people's doors and talk to them. I have already made the point that whether one is in Kildare, Cork, Tipperary or Dublin city and county, people are saying the same things. The...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Charlie O'Connor: People are saying this is reasonable legislation. They are looking forward to supporting the legislation in 49 days, whether the Opposition likes it or not. We should be responsible legislators and we should understand that government is about governance; government is about dealing with the issues that are of concern to people in a calm way. Some contributions in the House yesterday spoke of...