Results 141-160 of 6,947 for speaker:John Paul Phelan
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: It was very interesting. I believe the Senator does not know what she is talking about.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: The Senator referred to the fact that two of the Senators who contributed to the debate did not have Irish accents. I have an Irish accent, a south Kilkenny one, of which I am proud. If a person is elected to this Chamber, it does not matter what kind of accent he or she has, be it African or Asian, which many now have. All Senators are entitled to express their views on this important issue,...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: The Senator said she did not believe in freedom of information. That was the line she used.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Perhaps it is symptomatic of what the Government feels about freedom of information.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Perhaps I am part of an age group which is cynical about politics. The position the Government has adopted on freedom of information only adds to the cynicism of people my age and others cynical about the way it has approached such legislation.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: I did some research on this subject, in the course of which I read the action programme on regulatory reform launched by the Taoiseach.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: I read enough to pick out an interesting nugget of information. The programme which was launched in 1999 stated there should be adequate consultation with interested parties before new legislation was introduced. That is a statement and a half which ranks with the pre-election statements to the effect that there would not be any cutbacks about which I spoke previously. What consultation did...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Huge amounts of money have been invested in a scheme that has completely fallen by the wayside. It was tremendously politically embarrassing to the Government. This legislation is an attempt to avoid further embarrassment. A previous speaker referred to Deputy O'Donnell's statement in 1997 that Governments would not disclose information which would be embarrassing. Perhaps she was correct and...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: It would be an embarrassment to them, as it probably is to the Progressive Democrats who walked into it with their eyes closed before they realised what the full implications would be.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: I agree with Senators who say the Bill is being rushed through the House. I did not get a copy of the legislation. It did not arrive in south Kilkenny.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: I had to borrow a copy from my colleague, Senator Terry. It had not arrived at my house this morning before I left nor in my office today, yet we are asked to discuss it tonight.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: This is unacceptable. I know the Leader does not regard this matter as serious but to be a parliamentarian and speak on legislation one must see it sooner than the day of the debate.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Then why is the Leader laughing? It is a serious issue that Members do not have time to read legislation before it is discussed on Second Stage. That is important for parliamentary democracy and not something to be sneered at by Government Members.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: The hour is late and Government Members want me to sit down and not say any more.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: They certainly do not want to speak themselves. I can understand that it would be embarrassing for them to speak on this issue.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: On a platform of lies.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: We would.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Not if the Senator votes against it.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: Will Senator Wilson support him?
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
John Paul Phelan: The Senator must be one of them.