Results 21-40 of 212 for speaker:Kieran Phelan

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: Our Taoiseach is rightly recognised as a tremendous lover of sport, perhaps the most active sports follower in the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: He and the Government have not been found wanting in their provision of assistance to sport and the sporting bodies in this country.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: In 1997, when the Taoiseach came into office, funding for sport was a mere €17 million. In 2004, that figure is €176.2 million, ten times the amount spent by the Opposition when in office in 1997.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: Since 1998, almost €270 million paid out under the national lottery sports capital programme has been spent on the development of more than 3,500 sports and recreational projects. These are real figures that have made a significant difference to the development of sport and will continue to make a difference well into the future. While the Opposition likes nothing more than to talk about...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: The Abbotstown stadium may not have come to pass, but that does not mean it was not a worthy development. Given the changing financial climate, it was decided that it would not be the most prudent move to make and the cheaper option of redeveloping Lansdowne Road was chosen. Rather than criticise the Government for changing its mind, the Opposition should congratulate it on its pragmatic...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: ——and for doing what was best for the country and Irish sport. The Abbotstown plan was visionary. When was it a fault of Government to be far-sighted? Surely, we should favour dynamic proposals and should encourage innovation.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: Before concluding I would like to comment on the GAA. Many people have voiced the opinion that the GAA should open Croke Park to other sports. They put this forward as a solution to the national stadium debate. Let us, for a moment, ignore that the sheer bulk of matches and overlapping dates would make it virtually impossible to host all important sporting fixtures in a single venue. How dare...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Kieran Phelan: At 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 11 February 2004.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements (Resumed). (6 Apr 2004)

Kieran Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. His Department deserves a great deal of credit for introducing the guidelines. The public has reacted positively to the measures which have been announced. Despite the negative criticism of the scheme from some quarters, the vast majority of people can see the value of the guidelines. My colleagues and I have been working to resolve this issue for...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Kieran Phelan: I welcome our new Minister to the House and wish her well. She did a fantastic job in her previous portfolio and no doubt she will do an excellent job in this one also. I am delighted to be able to support this welcome legislation. The provisions of the Land Bill 2004 will simplify matters regarding ownership. A significant number of previous Land Acts are outdated and complicated. The...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Kieran Phelan: He is still there and always will be. From 1932 to 1948 the Fianna Fáil Government did a great job in giving land to those who needed it most, which helped to ensure the survival of our rural way of life. Irish landowners were able to purchase 13.5 million acres of land under the supervision of the Land Commission. Times have changed dramatically since the 1930s and 1940s with regard to land...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Kieran Phelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House. I did not get an opportunity in public to wish him well in his new portfolio. I have no doubt he will do an excellent job. I wish Senator Feighan well in his new position as spokesperson on arts, sports and tourism. There is more to Ireland than Roscommon when it comes to sport but I will leave it at that for now. I am...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Kieran Phelan: Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

Kieran Phelan: I welcome the Minister and his officials. The guidelines are comprehensive and well thought out. As a former member of Laois County Council, this was one of my hobby horses over the years. I am delighted the guidelines have been published, as they lay down the criteria for future planning. A number of the guidelines will improve all aspects of the planning process, especially for members of...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Kieran Phelan: I move amendment No. 1: "To delete all words after "Seanad Eireann" and substitute the following: notes the continuing strong performance of Ireland as an international tourism destination and, while conscious of the competitiveness challenge facing the tourism industry here, notes with approval the Government's response to that challenge through the proposals for reform of general consumer...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Kieran Phelan: On another topic I wish to compliment some of our State agencies. Great credit must be given to the Office of Public Works for the manner in which it maintains many of the tourism attractions in the country. There are many aspects to tourism here in Ireland and much of it relates to internal tourism. I am pleased with the initiatives on which many of the regions throughout the country have...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

Kieran Phelan: I am happy to have the opportunity to speak on the Disability Bill. I have listened carefully to much of what has been said in the other House and since the debate commenced here. It has been very informative and many Members of both Houses have given constructive views on the Bill. I am sure the Minister of State will take many of these practical suggestions on board. The Disability Bill is...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

Kieran Phelan: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: —congratulates the Government for giving unprecedented political priority to sport and recreation combined with record investment; —welcomes the substantial increase in the annual sports budget to €130 million in 2005 compared to just €17 million in 1997; —acknowledges sport was first given a seat at the Cabinet table back in 1997 and notes by the end...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

Kieran Phelan: There was a good Laois man coaching Kilkenny this year.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

Kieran Phelan: Deputy Kelly will deliver it.