Results 161-180 of 1,625 for speaker:Pat O'Neill

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Who was in government then?

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I welcome the Minister to the House and compliment him on his speech to the House today in which he explained the Bill very well. I am pleased to welcome this Bill to the Upper House on behalf of Fine Gael. The timeframe and the technical nature of the Bill mean that its passage through the Oireachtas should be smooth and efficient. The origin of the Bill's provisions in the EU directive...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: The Minister has outlined the provisions of the Bill and my contribution will deal with it. He has indicated he will bring another transport Bill before the Houses of the Oireachtas next year and I will broaden the discussion to take in the issue. I was interested to read about the wide scope of the commercial road transport sector which provides for road haulage and road passenger transport...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: It is the Port of Waterford but it is in County Kilkenny. The port is a fantastic employer in the area and its location as the closest multi-modal port to continental Europe means it is of key strategic importance. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is no doubt familiar with Waterford as he has many relations in the area. Perhaps on another occasion he will speak to the Seanad about the ports...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I was made aware at the medical research charities group meeting, which we attended, that a position has become vacant in the Department of Health. The position is that of assistant secretary with responsibility for medical research. This is a very important position because, as we all know, medical research is very important and this country can become a world leader in this area. Will...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: They have never apologised.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: That is uncalled for.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: It is correct, not technically correct.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Perhaps if they apologised.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I was not going to speak on this amendment but I must reply to some of the points made. Members are missing the point. The Minister pointed out that this does not disqualify anybody from getting a licence. That is the main issue. It gives the Minister the right to say whether he will issue a licence to these people. That is the point of this legislation. It is not about the Good Friday...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: Members seem to be missing the point. This does not disqualify anybody from receiving a licence. The Minister makes the call.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: That is a hypothetical scenario.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: The Minister is not a fortune teller.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: The Senator is asking a hypothetical question that cannot be answered.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: The Senator is out of order.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: He is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, not for horoscopes.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I have a question with regard to a vehicle that has been hired from the holder of an operator's licence for use in the agricultural area, such as tractors that draw grain or where a plant operator must tow a JCB or a HI-MAC on a low loader. What is the position in that regard? Do these people need licences to travel on the public road? Will the Minister clarify that, please?

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: What about jarveys in Killarney?

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: As Members have gone through all the amendments, I compliment the Minister. The legislation-----

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Pat O'Neill: I wish to make a point to the Minister before getting into Report Stage.