Results 1-20 of 11,811 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for selecting my Commencement matter. I was chuffed by the fact that the office of the senior Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, rang to say he was not able to take it and that the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, would deputise. The Minister of State is quite welcome to deal with this and I am sure he is very competent as well. My issue relates to SEAI grants...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I have no doubt that these are extraordinarily good schemes. I put my hands up and applaud what is being done, but I think there should be greater interaction with and more explanation given to the customers who ring up and ask where their applications are at and what is delaying them. I refer to those customers being told it was going to be six months down the road. Perhaps the Minister...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I rise briefly today to raise the issue of the Irish basketball team travelling today and playing the team from Israel. I listened this morning with interest to Mr. Kieran Donaghy, the former great Kerry footballer who, unfortunately, broke our hearts on a few occasions. The point he made was that the team should not go; they should not play. I would endorse that position because what is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (Resumed) (30 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I have a quick question. I accept the Cathaoirleach's ruling that the presentation by NIFA on the previous occasion does not concern what the witnesses here today are briefed to explain to us. However, what troubles me - it might be taken back to the Minister - is that, as I understood on the previous occasion and, I suppose, from speaking some of the association's members along the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the three men from the National Inshore Fishermen's Association. Something has to be acknowledged first. In my experience of fishing, the inshore, smaller guys were totally disunited historically. It is great to see them coming forward as a national organisation. I wish the organisation well and every success. When I was a young fellow growing up, I would hear it said that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I also suggest and ask that if there were a little imagination, innovation and thinking outside the box, or some tweaking of the existing set-up by either BIM or the Department to give fishermen a little break or leeway, it would go a long way to resolving the issues they have. It will not resolve everything but it seems the tide is against them. A bit of innovation or imagination from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: There are two Senators here. There is a vote on and we are being told, a bit like the witnesses, that the Whip is on us. I am not sure whether we have to go. I will come back to an issue that should be emphasised more. It is very interesting to hear that for the one man who is out fishing, and people should understand we are talking about a boat of approximately 6 m or 7 m, up to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: The clock is running down. One other point of interest is that we always hear of an issue with the six nautical mile exclusion zone. I find that hard to comprehend. I grew up on the shores of Bantry Bay. In the days of the old British Empire strength, before the State was ever formed, there were rules and regulations governing the big trawlers, which were not half the size they are now....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: That is approximately €30,000 to start off, if my sums are correct.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: What is the situation with the six-mile limit? Are we wasting our time on it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crisis in Ireland's Inshore Fishing Industry: Discussion (24 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: Common sense should prevail. Fishermen cannot go out 50 miles and encroach on other territory.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I rise today with some degree of sadness to address the Seanad and the Cathaoirleach on the farewell to my colleague of approximately 25 years, Senator Norris. Apart from anything else, I would also consider him a good friend.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: As a university and Independent Senator, you had a remarkable but sometimes - at the start, certainly - difficult career. I started in 1989. You came into the House sometimes swimming against the tide. In that regard, it reminds me an aguisín a lady living close to where I grew up said to my mother: you were the lily among the briars for a long time. In fairness, you stood out and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2024)

Denis O'Donovan: I hope you did. You loved your lobster, crab and caviar, and I hope you will have a lot of that when you are out of here. You may not have time to respond but I have two final questions. What has been your most outstanding success in this Chamber? I know you have had many but is there one that sticks out in your mind? Second, what is the most upsetting and possibly deplorable kick in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, here this evening. He has an unenviable task. I have been involved in politics for about 39 years. I remember back in the mid-1980s on the coastal management committee for Cork county and whatever. From what I read here, in many ways the Minister is caught by a straitjacket and there is little wriggle room. We cannot expect him to work miracles...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Denis O'Donovan: Before I conclude, a Chathaoirligh, I rarely impose any kind of stricture on you because of my absolute perfect attendance and annoyance to members here, but would the Minister have a look again at the decommissioning situation? I fully agree with him that it frees up more quota for other boats so they can survive. It is more economical. It does haunt me a little that these three guys who...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Denis O'Donovan: At the outset, I also welcome the Minister back to the House, and I wish her well in her future life and work in the Oireachtas. My concerns with this Bill mostly relate to legal and constitutional issues. I am deeply concerned about Article 38.1 of the Constitution of Ireland, which states that, "No person shall be tried on any criminal charge save in due course of law." I have concerns...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Retained Fire Service (30 May 2023)

Denis O'Donovan: First, I acknowledge the fact that in recent years there has been huge spending on infrastructure and equipment. Everyone across the board wants to acknowledge that. However, the €5,000 retainer fee is derisory. I know a young fellow who was looking for a loan. The credit union does not take into account the call out-fee which, as my colleague said, works out at approximately 99...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Retained Fire Service (30 May 2023)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for his indulgence. The commitment and dedication of firefighters in unparalleled. Firefighting is a vocation rather than just a job because if a person did not have the appetite for that job, he or she would not be doing it. They would want to be, as we say in west Cork, as tough as táthfhéithleann. One example that worried me recently...

Seanad: New Innovations for People with Disabilities (Digital Assistive Technology): Statements (22 Sep 2022)

Denis O'Donovan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. She and I acknowledge the amazing work done in the past year through the €2 million granted in the last budget. I hope she has a foot against the door on this occasion and that she will get another €2 million, or maybe more, because the money is extremely well spent. The Minister of State mentioned that many people wear...