Results 161-180 of 31,111 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The work that will take place on St. Stephen's Green is probably a symbol of the kind of change that Dublin will undergo in the future in order to get ready to meet the demands of a rising population and given the environmental demands placed upon us due to global warming. The debate that will begin regarding St. Stephen's Green will be long and emotional. The level of emotion raised on the...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am conscious of much of the debate that took place recently regarding a draft plan that arose from the Oireachtas transport committee of which I am a member. Many people responded to that plan in respect of cars being taken out of the city centre and the effect of that not only on residents but on businesses also. The Minister is already aware of this point but I must take the opportunity...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: There is widespread acceptance across both sides of the House of the need for continued investment in public infrastructure and for maintaining focus on how it will be delivered. It has always been apparent that the cost of making this happen is immense. We have all acknowledged as much and there has been much discussion about it. It is becoming increasingly apparent that there will be...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to make it clear that this is the side which has been telling people there will be an end to the veto on taxation.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: The Referendum Commission, on its first public occasion, dispelled that notion and said that such was not the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Let there be a debate in the House but I will not take lectures from anybody on the "No" side

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: There is a need for honesty and clarity.

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: As I begin my contribution, I want to respond to some of the points made by colleagues on the Government benches. I will start with some of the comments made by Senator O'Malley. The Senator is someone for whom I have a great amount of respect in terms of the contributions that she makes to this House. However, I need to make clear to her and others that Fine Gael is not going to take...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: ——across the period when the Progressive Democrats were in the last Administration, it lost sight of the manifesto which underpinned its existence. The Progressive Democrats talked about the need for reform in Government, yet this was the party that set up the Health Service Executive. It talked about the need for restraint in public spending. In 1997 we were spending €22 billion,...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: We undoubtedly have a duty in terms of what we have to say in Opposition. However, to be told that we need to take lessons on credibility from another political party, given that Fine Gael implemented the Tallaght strategy and took a courageous stand on the benchmarking agreement, is more than I can take. It is incumbent on me, therefore, to make clear that Fine Gael will not take lectures...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I support the calls by other Senators for debates on various matters. I entirely support what Senator Ryan said this morning about the lack of time allowed between the different Stages for the Bill on the Dublin transport authority. The thinking behind its current handling is that if it is done in this way its progress through the Seanad will be accelerated. This is counter-productive....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I am. We should remember that the people who are suffering because of delays are those who have been looking for new housing, for years in many cases. The carpet is now being pulled out from under their feet due to circumstances beyond their control. I want to see how the Government will respond to this and I would appreciate a debate.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment and support Senator Ryan's comments which point to an important aspect of this legislation. If one is inside the greater Dublin area one will get a particular focus and service from the Dublin transport authority, which will not be available to those outside that area. The competent national authority for people living outside the greater Dublin area is the Department...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: Before commenting on the amendment, I should say that it was remiss of me not to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House and congratulate him on his new appointment. I am conscious that in recent times the Department of Transport has not had a Minister of State, and I wish him well in his new job. It is good to have a Dublin-based Minister of State in the Department...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the change the Minister of State has made through this amendment. I will not move amendment No. 5 in recognition of that change. An important theme in our contributions on Committee Stage concerned the need for a joined-up and coherent approach to facilitating cycling within the greater Dublin area. The example we cited was of cycle lanes not being linked up. While it may seem...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will not move amendment No. 7 in recognition of what amendment No. 6 achieves. The thinking behind the amendment is that for too long our transport strategy has been preoccupied with linear routes in an attempt to get people in and out of areas. I was concerned that was the focus of this legislation, whereas we know there is also a need for a radial transport strategy for a given area and...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I will not move amendment No. 9 in light of Government amendment No. 8. The spirit of this amendment and others was to try to increase the accountability of a potentially very powerful organisation to the Oireachtas, local authorities and to individuals and communities affected by its work. While the proof of the extent of this accountability will be apparent once the organisation is up and...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 12: In page 16, to delete lines 45 to 48 and in page 17, to delete lines 1 to 3 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....

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I have not discussed the control and power of the Oireachtas over the proposed Dublin transport authority. I fully understand the role of the Minister, his or her executive power, its limitations and the division of power between the Minister and the Oireachtas. I welcome this new organisation that we will establish, but I predict both sides of this and the other House will, at some stage...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2008)

Paschal Donohoe: I second the amendment.