Results 101-120 of 31,083 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I tried to take the initiative. I got on to the OECD website yesterday to get a copy of it but I was not allowed do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I did not. How did we get ourselves to the point where not only action on public services is confined to Government, which I can understand, but the right to comment on that is also confined to the Government? I support Senator Buttimer's point on the loss of important and sensitive data belonging to patients. The Government is proposing to introduce a new directive that will allow more...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 4: In page 14, paragraph (a), line 11, to delete "sustains" and substitute "promotes". The amendment refers to the role infrastructure can play in generating economic growth. The national competitiveness strategy and the Minister's strategy statement acknowledge that in many cases the provision of transport infrastructure plays a significant role in generating economic...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will withdraw the amendment. This morning I examined the strategy statement the Minister prepared for his Department in which he makes clear the role infrastructure can play in the future of the economy. I accept the undertaking he has given and look forward to hearing his views on the amendment at a later stage.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 5: In page 14, paragraph (b), line 13, after "system" to insert "for all users". The rationale for this amendment is to make explicit in the legislation the need to prioritise passengers at all times in the delivery of plans. I am sure the Minister is aware that the 16 bodies responsible for delivering transport services for Dublin city and region have at times placed...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for responding in the manner he has. I take his point in regard to the language I have used. I might look at it again as we move through this process. The general objectives of the authority are vital in terms of the work it will do. With the exception of persons with disabilities, the customer, or the passenger, is not mentioned. I accept the Minister's point that...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 7: In page 14, subsection (1)(d), between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: "(ix) development and implementation of a cohesive cycling strategy.". A point I made in respect of other amendments was that this organisation will have immense power in terms of its ability to intervene and deal with transport and commuter issues in the greater Dublin area. One of the...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his response. He has acknowledged that we are providing for many different modes of transport. I want to ensure that cycling is specifically mentioned as one of these. He made a fair point that we need to ensure the new organisation is not overloaded with too many priorities that could conflict with each other. However, it is important that cycling is mentioned,...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: My understanding of what the Minister said is that on Report Stage he will come back and either in section 11 or section 71 make specific reference to the need to facilitate cycling and walking strategies in the greater Dublin area. If that is what the Minister is saying I am happy to withdraw this amendment.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 8: In page 14, subsection (1), between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: "(e) provide and issue licenses under the Road Transport Act 1932 for public transport operators operating within the GDA.". This is one of the most important issues related to this legislation. The amount of power this organisation will have for dealing with transport strategy and needs in...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his response. I will comment on some of the points made by my colleagues during the discussion on this amendment. The operation of competition and trying to advance the needs of our society are not incompatible. I make this point in some trepidation because I am clashing with my eloquent and experienced colleague, Senator Norris. However, the idea that those who...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——is something with which I strongly disagree. Competition can play an appropriate role at times in ensuring that the needs of our entire community and society can be met. I have great respect for Senator Norris and the points that he has made about this Bill and the Seanad. If we do not make these points now about this authority and this Bill, then the train will leave the station....

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 9: In page 15, subsection (5)(c), line 28, after "GDA" to insert the following: "and local authority Development Plans and Local Area Plans in force in the GDA". I wish to congratulate the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, on keeping his position as Minister for Transport, which I forgot to say earlier.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, the best of luck for the rest of his term in office. There are two separate issues covered by these amendments. I will deal with the work that local authorities do using local area plans and the master plans and then the issue of the jurisdiction of the greater Dublin area, GDA, and the work the authority will do. One impressive aspect of this...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Minister for his reply. I take his point regarding amendment No. 9. He is correct to say that we should not be in a situation where a local area plan would be in conflict with a city or county development plan. The thinking behind this amendment was in tandem with delivery of local area plans to try to deliver integration of land use and transport and it therefore was...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 12: In page 16, subsection (8), line 7, after "with" to insert "and have regard to the proposals of". This amendment refers to one of themes we discussed earlier. A recurring theme in the discussions that have taken place in the short period I have been a Member of the Seanad is the question of where all the power has gone. We are faced with very severe problems and...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am prepared to withdraw these amendments on the understanding that the Minister will deal with this on Report Stage. My objective is to ensure that the consultation process between the transport authority and the various agencies is meaningful and will influence the authority's decisions. The Minister's suggestion is welcome.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I support these amendments. Senator Ryan's proposals reflect what has already been initiated by the Department in terms of consultation on a sustainable travel strategy. It is important to listen to the views of communities and individual commuters on how the issues they face can best be tackled. The strategy document the Minister has put out for public consultation will prompt many...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 14: In page 16, lines 37 to 43, to delete subsection (12) and substitute the following: "(12) The Minister may, in relation to a draft transport strategy submitted to him or her— (a) approve the draft, (b) approve it with modifications, (c) instruct that it be resubmitted to him or her in a modified form for approval, or (d) refuse to approve it. In all cases the...