Results 61-80 of 1,625 for speaker:Pat O'Neill

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Senator Heffernan has outlined everything I wished to say on the amendment. I understand the spirit of Senator Barrett's amendment. A two-day rule would be impractical because as the Minister has pointed out, somebody could be going away for a weekend, have a work commitment or be attending a funeral. Someone without his or her licence could be stopped on the way to the airport and staying...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: There will be a charge for using it.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I support the Minister who has outlined in a reasonable way why the amendment cannot be inserted in the Bill. If a person was away for the weekend and had come home to find that his or her car had been stolen and that it had later been involved in an accident, he or she would not have reported this fact to the Garda. It is impractical and would create another loophole. Therefore, we will...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I agree with the vast majority of what the two Senators said, especially the point made by Senator Mullins on conducting a road safety campaign to highlight the need for good visibility and tyres in wintertime. However, I am not sure about Senator Mooney's point on providing an incentive to get people into garages. Car owners have a duty of care to themselves and other road users and we...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: If one buys a bulb, a VAT rate of 21% is applied, whereas if one has a bulb fitted by a garage, the VAT rate applied is 13.5%.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I thank the Minister for imparting that information as I recently asked a question on the Order of Business about the quantity of salt available.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Is it all in the country?

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I assure the Senator he is being naïve.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I assure Senator Mullen that we will complete all Stages today. There are a few points to support the Minister, who is not sending out mixed messages in the legislation to professional or young drivers. As people gain experience, they become better at what they do. We can see how much better Senator Mullen was after two years in this House.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Yes, but I mean the Senator was better after two years in the House.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: After two years a young person will have learned a bit more about driving. Senator Mullen's amendment should not be put to the House because it is too draconian. We live in a rural country and although the Senator said he was from rural Ireland, he does not live there. Some 64% of the population in this country live in rural areas. All research has shown that one drink will put a person...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: -----thin on the ground if the amendment is approved.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: There are no mixed messages. The Minister's Bill equates to zero tolerance as all research has shown that one drink will put a person over the limit and facing the graduated penalties of three penalty points and a fine of €200, with stiffer penalties if the blood alcohol level is above 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. I ask people in the House to vote against the Senator's amendment.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: On the points raised by Senator O'Sullivan, I know he has the interest of an injured person at heart but the medical profession in this country have the expertise, and the Minister's knowledge of the subject should be noted. A doctor will not allow a person to have a blood sample taken if that may pose a danger to the person. Some people involved in road accidents have feigned injury and...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Sep 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I would like to be associated with the remarks made by Senator O'Sullivan. I thank the Minister and his officials for coming to the House. Road traffic legislation can be an emotive issue, especially in regard to some of the sections that we had to pass. I thank all the Senators for their contributions. The Bill will increase awareness among people of the danger of drink driving. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Is he a Minister?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Did it take him that long to recover?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I object to this.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Pat O'Neill: This is a waste of Members' time. It shows the petty politics of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Sport: Statements (4 Oct 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I welcome the Minister of State. I would like to concentrate on the importance of sport to society in helping to deal with depression and suicide. I compliment the Government on the announcement of a national sports campus on 21 June and the Minister of State's announcement of a national sports facility strategy earlier. Forward planning is needed in sport to provide facilities and so on....