Results 301-320 of 31,040 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I concur with my colleagues in calling for a debate on the Lisbon treaty, on which I would like to make two points. There is an obligation on people when speaking about the Lisbon treaty and its impact on Ireland to be open and honest in respect of its implications. I am not suggesting Senator Ó Murchú was being anything less than honest in his contribution but we need to be clear that...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I guarantee the Leader we will not be found wanting but we are not going to be treated like fools. I am not making a political point. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, stated in this House that he could not tell us the content of what is being discussed with our European partners yet that plan was leaked on RTE news this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Where is the spirit of bipartisanship in this? This is not politics. If the Leader wants us all to sing from the same hymn sheet he will need to tell us the song.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: We deserve nothing less.

Seanad: National Gallery. (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to discuss with the Minister of State this evening the planned consolidation of many of our national galleries. This is a matter that has been discussed, albeit briefly, within the media. To the best of my knowledge, it has not been the subject of much discussion within the Oireachtas. My understanding is that the Minister of State's Department is poised to consolidate and...

Seanad: National Gallery. (11 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I congratulate him on the work of his Department, particularly on the new gallery in Farmleigh House and on the exhibitions that have been held there. I am struck by the fact that the Minister of State identified that little savings, if any, will be realised through this process, which is not necessarily bad. If we are entering this process,...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Bill. I wish to share my time with Senator John Paul Phelan.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to make three points and will conclude with a question. Many colleagues have made many of the points I wish to cover, and they have done so emphatically. It is important to clear up one aspect. It was not the Opposition Members on this side of the House who caused the panic, worry or hysteria. It was the actions of the Government and its inability to communicate clearly what it had...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——and one against which my party stands and offers an alternative.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The second point I want to put on record relates to the people who will be punished and castigated on foot of this measure. As many colleagues said, it will be people such as teachers and nurses who have had the temerity to work a bit harder than expected and clock up hours in overtime, substitute work or whatever, who will be penalised as a result of this measure. We should not stop at...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I support Senator Fitzgerald's amendment. One of the grounds for the introduction of this Bill is the need to find cost economies, given the difficulties in which we find ourselves at present. Undoubtedly, it would be easier for the public and the Oireachtas to understand the effectiveness of such measures were the Government to produce a regular report informing them of progress on...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——and that should be recognised.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: They were in the Visitors Gallery.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: They were in the Visitors Gallery. They heard what Senator Feeney had to say.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The Minister of State cannot say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am somewhat shocked by what Senator Boyle said in reference to unelected people within this Government having an influence on policy and major decisions. I do not need to point out to Senator Boyle that he is in the Government. The people to whom these unelected officials report are politicians who head up the Government in the first place. It seems the issue is not so much about the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will give the Senator the opportunity to correct me, but the person responsible for this is the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and not his officials. The Senator should address his comments to the people with him in the Government, rather than to the people who report to the Minister in the first place. I support all my colleagues in the call for a debate on the conclusions...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders (16 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, for coming to the Chamber to respond to this Adjournment matter. Given the amount of coverage and discussion already given to the particular incident I am raising, I will focus on several issues of particular concern. Several inner-city communities are under assault from the activities of a small number of families and individuals. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I call for a debate on the decision of the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to a quarter of one point, which is effectively a zero interest rate. What happened last night has changed the world economy. Following America's decision, it is likely that the Bank of England will cut its interest rates to a similar level and that central banks across Asia will do the same. The...