Results 41-60 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the subject of neutrality and, more generally, Ireland's involvement in security and defence policy issues. The Government welcomes a transparent and open debate in this area, not least in view of issues brought to the fore by the Convention on the Future of Europe. I welcome the contribution to the debate on neutrality made by the Fine Gael...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: All politics is local.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank all Senators who contributed to a thoughtful and thought-provoking debate. The Bill will have a direct impact on those who operate small public service vehicles and those who use such services. The services provided by taxis, hackneys and limousines are a vital element in the overall public transport options available to the public. These...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: Unfortunately, I have not been provided with copies for circulation.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: Yellow was the traditional Irish colour. Somebody suggested that we run a competition – we could have a rainbow coloured taxi service.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: God forbid that should ever happen.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: In the matter of standards section 38 of the Bill is of particular interest. It places an onus on the commission to pursue the development of vehicle standards in the context of the needs of people with disabilities but also generally. The commission has within its powers under this legislation a remit to consider the design and appropriateness of vehicles used. The Bill puts an onus on it to...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: We are far too compliant. We never, ever try to exercise our rights as consumers.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Dick Roche: I disagree with that attitude. Making complaints is a vital element in creating a good customer service because it is only a small number in the industry who are guilty of scalping customers. A similarly small number are abusive to their customers. It is wrong that the whole industry should suffer because of them. It is right that those responsible should be made to face the consequences of...

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to open this afternoon's discussion and update the House on the outcome of the European Convention and the opening of the Intergovernmental Conference. I know many Senators followed the work of the convention with keen interest through the Joint Committee on European Affairs and other fora and I hope they will continue to follow developments at...

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Dick Roche: That is how I went grey.

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Dick Roche: The Senator need not worry in that regard.

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their extraordinary generosity in terms of personal comments. This has been an interesting and extremely challenging debate. Senator Bradford spoke of the important role played by the Convention and, in particular, of the significance and importance of evolving a treaty that will touch citizens' lives and will be widely accepted by them. He and many other Senators made...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: This Bill amends the European Communities Act 1972 and enables certain parts of the treaty providing for the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union to become...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: I am grateful to Senators for their extraordinarily comprehensive and very thoughtful presentations. I would like to take some time to respond to each of them.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: I was waiting for the Senator to come in and huff and puff about the Antarctic Treaty so I was stretching it out. Senator Quinn's infectious enthusiasm is always a joy to hear. His own life experience was intriguing, his travels as a young man from Cobh on a boat across to Brussels, to the World Fair, the installation of Pope John XXIII and the changes in France. All those things happened in...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: Another issue Senator McDowell touched on was the important issue of Cyprus. There is a concern within the Union and a regret that a united Cyprus is not coming in. It was clear from yesterday's contribution that there is an expectation on the Turkish Government's part in this regard. The Irish Government has always made it clear, as have all parties in this and the other House, that we are...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senators for their consideration of the Bill.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Antarctic Treaty. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: I thank Senator Ross, with whom I have never had a harsh word, for introducing this issue. When the subject crossed my desk at first I thought it concerned his enthusiasm for skiing, but I realise it is based on something higher. It is appropriate that the subject is a matter of public discussion as it has not been debated. The Senator is correct. It is extraordinary that the treaty has...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Antarctic Treaty. (6 Nov 2003)

Dick Roche: It is not just outer space. It is also inner space because there is a view that the seabed is part of the patrimony of mankind. In our approach, we endorse that particular issue. Senator Ross wonders whether our approach is active rather than passive. Unfortunately, I cannot answer him but I am prepared to return to it in correspondence with him.