Results 261-280 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: On a point of order, I ask the House to stick to the amendment.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: This is not a Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: The Senator would know a lot about bullying.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: The 12 Apostles were socialists.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: The Senator is such a great Christian.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I agree but I would make a final point. The Government is preoccupied with water charges and water meters for water that is does not have. It must build the Garryhinch reservoir and Government Ministers should stop spreading untruths about the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I support Senator Tony Mulcahy in what he said about the outrageous attempt made by a Cabinet Minister to undermine the Seanad. I would like to put the Government on notice that if it intends to run its full term it should start to respect this Seanad and Senators because it is an absurdity to repeat an untruth, namely, that the Seanad costs €20 million per annum to run and that...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: While I have my differences with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, I agree with him that the reported statement in today's media by the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, that the Government is considering the withdrawal of medical cards from cancer patients deemed to be not terminal will cause unnecessary worry in the community. That would be a horrific decision. The HSE should get its house...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: Good Christians?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (9 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I appreciate the frankness and directness of the response. It is, however, bad news as far as I am concerned. I believe refurbishment of Portlaoise courthouse, which is hundreds of years old, was a waste of money and a case of throwing good money after bad. It suggests to me that the problem is being long-fingered and will not be addressed in the short term. I am further concerned to hear...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (9 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter which pertains to the location and suitability of Portlaoise Courthouse. It was built in 1782. While I am all for historic buildings to be put to good use and good purpose, in terms of having a viable, modern courthouse, this building is well past its sell-by date. Its location in the context of modern Ireland is absurd. It is on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I ask the Leader to arrange at the earliest juncture for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the Seanad before the budget to ensure that the expertise and business acumen represented in the House is put to good use to help salvage the main streets and urban centres of towns up and down the country. Main Street, Ireland, is on its knees. Businesses on...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who I know to be a fair-minded man who takes an interest in debate in this House. Even at this late stage, I ask him to hear us out in a meaningful way and to convey our observations and concerns to Cabinet. It is not too late for a change of tack. I admit that the Seanad is a stacked deck. It is a creature of the Government of the day....

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: Would it be less elite? I was elected to the Seanad from the dole queue. I come from 1266 St. Evin's Park in Monasterevin, which is a local authority housing estate. Everyone has his or her own story. The Seanad has a great diversity of representation, which is one of its riches. It represents and reflects a broad cross-section of Irish life, interests, perspectives, vocations, values and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: It is still the practice of the House, under protection of the Chair, not to cite, name someone or make accusations against someone who is not present in the Chamber and who has no right to reply? I have been grossly wrongly represented by Senator Ó Clochartaigh who made an accusation that I went to a public meeting in Camross and said I would I would defend people to the death. No...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I mean no disrespect to the Cathaoirleach but I would like to correct the record. I am sorry to interrupt but when someone's back is turned that is not good parliamentary practice.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I would like to preface my question to the Leader by mentioning that I come from Laoighis-Offaly which is the heart of the midlands and turf-cutting country. My family has cut turf for generations. I do not take lightly how seriously families and others take the important issues of land rights, access to land and turbary rights. Nonetheless, I was horrified to see a wanton act of...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: I do. I would like him to arrange for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to come to the House. With the Peatlands Council and responsible turf cutters, the Minister has done everything in his power to reach an amicable solution to this problem. It is important to mention that some €4 million has already been paid to over 2,600 turf cutters who...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: Heavy machinery was used to desecrate a special area of conservation. It was a disgrace that a Deputy led the charge.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

John Whelan: It is important that the Minister come to the House to set out his plans to curb this kind of reckless activity.