Results 1-20 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (12 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, on your election. I was impressed by the generosity and civility with which this House conducts its business, but that is not to say I wish to be back here. The tributes paid to you this morning were entirely appropriate. I am pleased to open this debate on a matter of the highest importance. That the new Seanad is addressing this issue on its first...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim (Atógáil). Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I omitted to congratulate and compliment one of the most formidable people in Irish politics on being appointed Leader of the House, my very good friend, Senator O'Rourke. I also congratulate Senator Paddy Burke on being elevated to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. They are a formidable team. This House will be well served by all its officers. I came here with a script that I have...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: Céim an Coiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their very kind remarks. At one of the interminable meetings that one has with ambassadors, one ambassador said that he could not understand why there were concerns in Ireland about the Treaty of Nice. He felt that it was a triumph for Irish diplomatic negotiators. He pointed out that we had led the way in holding on to a Commissioner for the small countries and that our...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Irish Soccer Supporters. (13 Sep 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senators for raising this very serious matter which has caused grave concern. Irish soccer supporters are renowned throughout the world for the colour and fun they bring wherever they go and their impeccable behaviour. That has been demonstrated time and time again, most recently this summer during the World Cup in Japan and Korea, where Japanese and Korean authorities praised the...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: Senator Hayes mentioned time limits. Clearly, exceptional circumstances can arise and it would be a breach of faith if the Government were to abuse this. There is no doubt that the committee would be very vocal in its criticism if that were to happen. There will still be a requirement that the Government explain exactly what happened, including the circumstances and time constraints which...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: This is a thorny issue which has arisen because of the wide nature of the measure which is universal. The Government is committed to an open and transparent system of the Oireachtas and it would be a very foolish Government that would try to roll back the decisions we all made in recent years to be more open. Section 3(2) makes it clear that the Minister may make a report to either or both...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: Obviously we would have to see how this provision would work. If the Deputy is talking about targeting some activity from the point of view of sanctions, it would clearly destroy the entire purpose of sanctions if there was to be a wide and open discussion about them. I assume a Minister would brief the chairman. I believe the arrangement that works best in these cases is where Ministers deal...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: My view is well known on issues such as freedom of information. Senator Brian Hayes knows my views and I have also taken the view that the best way to make sure secrets are not leaked is to have absolutely no secrets at all. This issue was discussed in this House when we debated the Freedom of Information Act. I was sitting on the other side of the House and arguing about these issues....

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Oct 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their support this afternoon in adopting the Bill. I also thank the Labour Party for putting forward this proposition. My view on the support and development of the committee system in the Houses of the Oireachtas is a matter of historical record and I have not changed those views since I came into office.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to be able to introduce this short Bill in the Seanad and to commend it to the House. It is not complicated legislation but it is important because it is a further step towards enabling Ireland to ratify the Treaty of Nice and allowing the historic process of enlargement of the European Union to proceed as planned. I will explain the contents of the Bill and why they are...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: The contributions have been most interesting and it is extraordinary how they overlap with the ongoing discussions on the convention. I am pleased to conclude the Second Stage debate and I am grateful for the support of Members. I am gratified that the approach adopted in the Bill has universal approval, particularly the decisions made on those issues which were kept outside the regulation...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I would be willing to co-operate with the Senators. Senator Ormonde will know this from yet another forum earlier today, but if any Senator is interested in the future of Europe debate and where the convention is going, I will do my best to provide as objective a briefing as possible. It is important that we learn from the past and engage everybody in the community in debate. The debate does...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: We will be undercut, as the Senator knows. In Estonia there is a zero rate of corporation tax. Notwithstanding this, we need to be very careful. I put a marker down at the convention the week before last and made it absolutely clear that we were not prepared to surrender an inch. It is not just the Irish who are concerned. The Swedes take a similar view and are strongly opposed to...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I could only guess at this time.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: Certainly.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: We are about to open embassies in Slovenia and Estonia. I will come back with the details. Senators have been concerned about the quality of EU legislation and its impact on the public. Senator Ormonde mentioned the role the media have to play. I do not want to knock the media, but extraordinary work has been done in the Oireachtas, particularly by the Oireachtas joint committee, dealing with...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senator for indicating that he will withdraw his amendment in favour of the Government amendment. He has correctly pointed out that this arises from recent legislation. The amendment covers an issue separate from the main Bill. It would amend, not only the European Communities Act, 1972, but also the European Union (Scrutiny) Act, 2002. The Government is happy to take on board the...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: I can provide the Senator with a fuller note on this issue, if he wishes. Obviously, in the arrangements that are part and parcel of the Nice treaty process, provision has been made for the enlargement of the Parliament up to and including the two states which will not be part of the ten, Bulgaria and Romania. There will, therefore, be a redistribution of seats. The Senator asked if a...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: Yes. The number of seats Ireland would have to contest would be 13. Given that a great deal is happening, if the Senator wishes, I can provide him with a note on the exact position on the most recent decisions. He is right—

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (20 Nov 2002)

Dick Roche: The intention is that new member states will participate in the elections in 2004, but this will depend on their ratification processes. A number of them have to hold referenda. Assuming the results are all positive, the intention is that they will participate fully in 2004. That was one of the points we made during the debate on the referendum. It is important that they are not denied their...