Results 21-40 of 6,947 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

John Paul Phelan: There are no guarantees that the Minister, or his successors, will not in the future seek to influence the authority in a way that would be detrimental to its role. It is important that sections 11 and 13 be amended to take account of this. So many people come to this country with a view of what to expect from the tourism industry. They expect the céad míle fáilte, the broad welcome that...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I second the amendment which outlines my problem in regard to the section which I oppose. I agree with Senator Quinn that, in this age of transparency and openness, it would be more appropriate if the direction the Minister would wish the authority to take was made public.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 10: In page 11, subsection (2), lines 43 and 44, after "Minister" to insert "following interview by a Joint Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas".

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I take what the Minister has said but there is already political wrangling about the appointment of certain individuals to various Government bodies. The amendment will not introduce new wrangling and, with the launch of the new authority, is a chance for a new departure in the way these appointments are made. I do not know if the Minister agrees with bringing this before a joint committee of...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 13: In page 12, subsection (3), line 4, to delete "5 years" and substitute "3 years".

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: The Minister spoke about continuity – which is important – but a period of ten years is too long. There is always a need for new people to become involved and it would not hurt the new authority if it did not have members serving for ten years.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I move amendment No. 16: In page 14, subsection (1)(b), line 7, to delete "elected as a member of" and substitute "nominated as a candidate to stand for election to".

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: That is a good one.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with previous speakers. The wording of lines 14 and 15 on page 17 is unclear as to the persons the authority might consider appropriate. The Minister should take on board the need to tighten up the section.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senator McCarthy and support Senator Quinn's amendment. The wording of section 32(2), which states, "the chief executive shall not question or express an opinion," is quite amazing. Given that we are looking for openness, transparency and accountability in the various Government agencies, it is hard to believe such a clause has been proposed. It is a regressive and draconian step...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: It is not a free country if one does not have freedom of speech.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: Yes.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: There was a loud backlash by Fianna Fáil backbenchers.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: They will get only €2,000 over seven years.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: PAYE is a tax.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I support the comments of my colleagues, Senators Browne and Higgins. I was taken aback by Government Senators backslapping the Minister for Finance for his new found devotion to fiscal rectitude. Irish growth rates of over 3% are the envy of Europe. How is it that a country expanding at that rate, with an economy that is still growing, can find itself in this position? Senator Higgins spelt...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: The Minister has put up the price of diesel on previous occasions and has added another 3 cent tonight.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: Europe is following the Government's tactics.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I ask the Leader to raise the issue of broadband roll-out in the south-east region with the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern. I read in the newspapers this morning that a decision appears to have been made by the Department of Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources regarding broadband roll-out in the south-east. The south-east...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

John Paul Phelan: I tried to raise on the Adjournment this week the issue of how the south-east region continues to lag behind the rest of the country.