Results 221-240 of 939 for speaker:Noel Treacy

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: I have heard of nobody in this House who is not anxious to draw their monthly salary, or anybody on this island who is not anxious to be gainfully employed. Why should they not be? If the wisdom and leadership of this party in co-operation with our colleagues in the Progressive Democrats continue to allow the nation to grow an economy that creates an opportunity for our people's...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: I am replying to the insinuation by the Senator that he believes this side of the House does not have the ability to continue to lead this nation in the interests of all our people, for the common good and global welfare, including the European Union.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: God help the nation if those got the job. The investigations carried out by the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and in special cases by An Garda Síochána, have uncovered absolutely no evidence to suggest prisoners might have been transferred, through Irish airports, in contravention of the categorical assurances, which we have received from the US authorities, in this area.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: Notwithstanding this, our Government has continued its proactive approach to this matter. I will begin by outlining the Government's position in this area. I will then address the recent report by the European Parliament's temporary committee investigating extraordinary rendition and, finally, I will describe to Senators some of the forward looking proposals that have been made by our...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: This has been our Government's constant position since the existence of this practice was first revealed. This has been made clear to the US authorities on numerous occasions, including at the very highest levels. I welcome the finding implicit in the report of the TDIP committee that no prisoners were transferred through Irish territory, which thereby vindicates the Government's policy of...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: Moreover, it seems they are chartered only temporarily by the CIA and are then returned to their owners for normal aviation purposes. Even if by chance, an aircraft involved in illegal activity elsewhere were to be searched, what would such a search reveal? I repeat that gardaí have all the powers they need to search aircraft which they suspect of being used for illegal purposes. There...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: I would make one final point in regard to the report. Given the Minister's preparedness to support the work of the European Parliament committee — as I said, only one other Minister attended — I find extraordinary the report's erroneous suggestion that the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, failed to answer questions put to him. The transcript of the Minister's meeting with the European...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: It has admitted it carries out extraordinary rendition

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Treacy: It did.

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: I sincerely thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and all the Senators for their speedy consideration of this Bill. I appreciate the sincerity, commitment and dedication people bring to this House and admire the legislative work done here. I especially thank Senator Quinn for alluding to the fact that he was involved in a Supreme Court decision in 1970. I will ask some of the lawyers who support us...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: The terms defined in the Bill reflect the close interdependence that exists between national and EU law at this mature stage of our EU membership. All too often legislative terms employed in EU legislation are accused of being deliberately opaque. That is not true. The process of law making from its inception in Brussels to the implementation at national level still remains poorly...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: I sincerely thank all Senators for the focused contributions. Senator Bradford asked what ordinary citizens would think of this situation. We can be guided by available information. According to the last European barometer poll, 87% of Irish citizens were positively in favour of the EU. Some 50% had a strong interest in the EU and 30% were committed to engaging with EU issues. We were...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: This is again a very interesting debate for which I thank all the Senators involved. Last Thursday and again today, Senator Bradford clearly stated that he fully accepts the necessity and urgency of this Bill and I think all Senators accept this, which I appreciate. Senator Bradford stated that the Supreme Court judgements needed to be responded to. This has been the theme of my speeches...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: Indeed, usually on the day before they are published in the newspapers. Statutory instruments appear in the newspapers and Iris Oifigiúil on the same day. If a person is prosecuted under the statutory instrument, the latter must stand, in the first instance, the test of the court where the prosecution takes place. It must also stand the test of an appeal being taken from a lower to a...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: Is cúis mhór áthais domsa cúpla abairt mholta a rá faoin cháinaisnéis iontach a chuir mo chomhghleacaí Rialtais, an tAire Airgeadais, faoi bhráid na Dála agus an chaoi agus na slite cothroma inar chuir sé i measc mhuintir na hÉireann é. This is the tenth successive budget presented by this Fianna Fáil-led Government and the third by my esteemed colleague and our Minister for...

Seanad: Security of the Elderly. (7 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: I sincerely thank Senator Mooney for raising this matter. The scheme of community support for older people, CSOP, has been a valuable one since it was established ten years ago. In that time, funding in the region of €35 million has been awarded to community and voluntary organisations to provide socially monitored alarms and other security items to older people in their communities. The...

Seanad: Security of the Elderly. (7 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: On behalf of Senator Mooney and Councillor Gilmartin, I will certainly take up those issues with the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. I am grateful to the House for affording me an opportunity to debate this matter.

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: I thank all of the Senators for their outstanding contributions and positive support and for the searching questions they have raised. I shall do my utmost to respond in a general way to those. I will return to the specifics on Committee Stage. I would again emphasise that the effect of the Bill will be to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures used to implement European...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: Is cúis áthais dom a bheith ar ais anseo arís chun Bille na gComhphobal Eorpach 2006 a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Tá mé ag súil go mbeidh spéis mhór sa díospóireacht an-tábhachtach seo. Le comh-oibriú na Seanadóirí, beimid in ann an Bille seo a chur i dlí na tíre. I am pleased to bring the European Communities Bill 2006 before the Seanad. The Bill is short and technical...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Noel Treacy: Has Mullingar moved to Navan?