Results 161-180 of 881 for speaker:Peter Power

Communications (Retention of Data Bill) 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: I understand the basis upon which Deputy Sherlock argues his point, but we should remember that a request can only be made by the Garda Síochána at the level of a chief superintendent, a very senior officer. While it is important that we set out robust and strong legislation that is not open to abuse, the fact that a request can only be made in respect of a serious offence set out in the...

Communications (Retention of Data Bill) 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: This goes to the heart of the concerns of the Labour Party, including Deputy Sherlock, regarding whether the legislation will be abused. Sections 11 and 12 deal with the matter. The High Court judge currently dealing with this matter is Judge Iarla O'Neill. Section 11 provides that the President of the High Court shall, in consultation with the Minister, undertake the duties set out in...

Communications (Retention of Data Bill) 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: It is very important that the powers of the High Court judge be set out in legislation. I refer to the powers to investigate any case in which a disclosure request has been made and to access and inspect official documents or records relating to the inquest. More important, the judge shall, or have an obligation to, keep the operation of the provisions of the Act under review, ascertain...

Communications (Retention of Data Bill) 2009: Order for Report Stage (24 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Communications (Retention of Data Bill) 2009: Report Stage (24 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: I am pleased Deputy Sherlock and the Labour Party support the rationale and the fundamental basis of the legislation. However, it is a great leap to depart from the rationale behind the legislation to challenge the time limits for the two substantive reasons proposed. The first such reason is that the limits would put an undue burden on business and the second is that Ireland would lose a...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: Through the aid programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Government currently funds the work of over 1,300 long term development workers, volunteers and missionaries in developing countries. Their contribution is an important and greatly valued aspect of the overall Irish contribution to the fight against global poverty and hunger. A number of...

Written Answers — World Trade Organisation Negotiations: World Trade Organisation Negotiations (16 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: The Government's policy approach toward international development issues is based on our strong commitment to the fight against global poverty and hunger. Our aid programme is focused on some of the least developed countries in Africa. However, we recognise that development assistance alone will not eradicate poverty. The development of global trade will play an essential role, and it is...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: The query referred to by the Deputy relates to funding under the Government's aid programme for an Irish Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which received funding of €200,900 from Irish Aid in 2004 for a two-year training programme to benefit young adults with disabilities in Eastern Europe. In response to concerns about how aspects of the programme were being managed, Irish Aid carried...

Public Service Remuneration: Motion (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: This debate has been characterised by a less than scrupulous adherence to the facts surrounding the matters at stake. Some fundamental points need to be made before a detailed debate on the motion. The criticism by the Opposition and much of the media is focused on the public sector pay cuts imposed in the December budget. However, this presents a misleading picture of what happened in the...

Public Service Remuneration: Motion (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: -----but those on the clerical level-----

Public Service Remuneration: Motion (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: Obviously, I listened to what the Opposition stated earlier on,-----

Public Service Remuneration: Motion (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: -----and it was characterised by a misleading of the facts. The problem here is that these are the facts. The facts, I would readily accept, are simply not capable of being explained in the modern 30 second media cycle. It is not possible to do so. Neither do I accept that these sit easily with the increasing tendency towards the politics of populism that is exhibited increasingly on the...

Public Service Remuneration: Motion (9 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: I wish to share time with Deputy Noel Treacy.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (3 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: Since 2002, the EU has been negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements, which combine both trade and development provisions, with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of Sates. The Agreements are being negotiated by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Community and the Member States. These negotiations are necessary as a result of a ruling by the World Trade...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: Making an effective contribution to overcoming AIDS and other communicable diseases affecting the world's poorest citizens is central to Ireland's overseas development assistance programme. In pursuing this strategy, Ireland supports a portfolio of global health partnerships that include the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), the International Partnership for...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Feb 2010)

Peter Power: The achievement of universal access to reproductive health is one of the objectives of the Programme of Action agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994. In 2000, world leaders adopted the Millennium Development Goals, which include the commitment to reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters and achieving universal access to...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: I thank the Tánaiste for sharing the very limited time available. In that short time I wish to make some key points. All Deputies from Limerick and the mid-west in general have been dealing with the fall-out from the decision by Dell to cut its work force in half by letting go 1,900 employees. It is important to emphasise that 1,000 very high quality jobs remain at Dell which need to be...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: However, she set up a dedicated task force to deal with the difficulties experienced by the latter region. I compliment the members of the task force, including its chairman, Mr. Denis Brosnan, who have done an excellent job. One of the Government's key initiatives during the past 12 months was to make an application to the European Globalisation Fund. That application was successful and...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: The initiatives to which I refer are extremely important. They will assist us in recovering from the difficulties in which we find ourselves. I am sure the future for the mid-west region will be bright.

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Peter Power: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Seanad Éireann for affording the time to have a discussion on this appalling catastrophe which has befallen the country and people of Haiti. I also thank Senators for their good wishes and congratulations on the Irish response. I begin by echoing the sentiments expressed by all Senators and reiterating the Government's condolences to the people of Haiti...