Results 101-120 of 459 for speaker:Phil Prendergast

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him on his recent appointment. I am delighted to take part in this debate. The future of the Common Agricultural Policy needs to be addressed now. We are fast approaching 2013 and, with every day that passes, the situation for Irish farmers becomes more critical. Agriculture remains at the core of Irish rural life and CAP 2013...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Phil Prendergast: One always has an eye on the future. We have good produce and good butchers such as Pat Whelan. The Minister of State would be welcome to come and sample it at any time.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Phil Prendergast: If we believe in the future of Irish agriculture, we need to structure CAP in such a way that it will foster and encourage innovation, sustainability and quality. Deputy Sherlock, the Labour Party spokesperson on agriculture, has been calling for this approach for some time. That should not present any difficulty in terms of the Minister of State's philosophy. It is something on which a...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I became a Member of this House in September 2007 and every week since then there has been an issue relating to the HSE. We have had debates and legislation. We have dealt with issues such as autism, accident and emergency departments, waiting lists and curtailment of services. Senator Healy Eames detailed this morning how the intellectually disabled sector was being disadvantaged in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I attended a conference on the international day of the midwife in the Coombe Hospital this morning. I congratulate all midwives who work everywhere in all disciplines, 365 days a year, in the community, in midwifery-led units and in nursing homes. I congratulate them on the fine work they are doing, especially in these difficult times. The embargo is having an absolutely detrimental...

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Phil Prendergast: When talking about female genital mutilation, FGM, it is important that we recognise there is a clash between culture and medicine. The WHO defines FGM as any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. However, the process of globalisation shows that, in the places where these...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I welcome the Minister of State. Since the Minister for Finance gave an update in the Dáil yesterday on the cost of the banking and building bailout, some 100 babies have been born with a debt of €9,000 hanging around each of their necks. That is the start in life this Fianna Fáil Government has given them and the 1.5 million more babies who will be born in this country over the next 20...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: It is a shame that the Government's supporters in the Dáil failed to bear this in mind last night when they voted to support a plan that has not turned out as intended. The Minister released the figures at 5 p.m., but by 10 p.m. they were all able to vote in support of them. They did not take much time to think about it. They do not seem to be very concerned about the biggest thing that...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: Now they tell us that a bank which is of no systemic importance to the economy cannot be let go because it would cost up to €30 billion. I remind Senator Boyle that I can do the maths too.

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: To put €22 billion into the bank is a mistake of epic proportions. The bank in question was run by Seán FitzPatrick, David Drumm and Willie McAteer. It lied to the market about its true financial position. It was involved in the Irish Glass Bottle site fiasco. Its directors gave themselves secret loans. The Minister for Finance and his Government colleagues have presented themselves...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I move amendment No.1: In page 5, subsection (4), line 25, to delete "2008" and substitute "2009".

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I thank the Minister of State. Amendment agreed to. Section 1, as amended, agreed to. Section 2 agreed to. NEW SECTION.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I congratulate the people who were appointed to their new jobs yesterday, especially Deputy Seán Connick. I agree with Senator Twomey that the south east has been left without a senior Ministry and that that matter should be addressed. In yesterday's reshuffle the word "employment" was not mentioned at all. I would like the Leader to tell Members who is now responsible for FÁS, enterprise...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: It is scandalous.

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements. (23 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I have a somewhat different story for him and would like to make a few observations. It is my belief that A Vision for Changeis being abused by the Health Service Executive. It is supposed to be the blueprint for the future of our mental health services but it is being used as a type of propaganda tool. My experience to date in...

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements. (23 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I have an answer if the Minister of State wishes to hear it.

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements. (23 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I wish to address one point made by the Minister of State, who stated I am playing to some local gallery. I am playing to no local gallery whatsoever. I read out an appraisal document and I wish to know whether the Minister of State stands over it. Does he believe it is acceptable?

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements. (23 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I have the highest regard for the Minister of State as a Minister of State and as a person but I do not consider that having faith in the HSE, which makes these decisions, is satisfactory.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, subsection (1), between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: " "complete" in relation to a development means complete to the agreed satisfaction of the developer and the owners' management company and the planning authority;". This amendment was suggested by the apartment owners network.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Phil Prendergast: I move amendment No. 5: In page 3, subsection (1), line 30, to delete "2007" and substitute "2009". This amendment would update the collective citation in accordance with the latest planning legislation.