Results 301-320 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Wind Energy Guidelines: Statements (15 May 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and thank her for agreeing to this debate which was sought only a short time ago by the Seanad. She is receptive to our views and not dismissive of our position on the issue. We are not looking for anything more than a little balance to be brought to the policy on wind energy production. I am pleased and heartened that the Minister of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (8 May 2013)

John Whelan: It is with some degree of disappointment and dismay that I raise the issue this afternoon once again of narcolepsy sufferers and their families in this country. On the advice of the Cathaoirleach - which was very good advice and which I took - I raised the matter on the Adjournment on 27 September last year. At that stage the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, indicated that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, on visiting the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, on Friday last to attend a long overdue and fitting memorial service for Mr. Brian Stack, at which a bust of the late chief prison officer of Portlaoise Prison was unveiled. Mr. Stack, a serving prison officer, was murdered 30 years ago outside the National Stadium on the South...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: Yes. It is fitting that the Minister visited Portlaoise to record and acknowledge an event that took place 30 years ago. Today, the Dáil will pass the Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill, which will pay tribute to and finally honour the Irishmen who left the Irish Army during the Second World War to fight against the forces of fascism in Europe. The record...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: This is an important point.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

John Whelan: As I do not usually go over time, perhaps the Cathaoirleach will bear with me. The State should find a mechanism to recognise the role played by gardaí, prison officers and soldiers at a time when the law and institutions of the State, including the Oireachtas, were being subverted and placed under severe threat by subversive elements. This is the least we can do.

Seanad: Charities Regulation: Motion (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister to the House and commend him. On the first day of summer there is a great deal of warmth in the room and I would like to continue in that vein. The Minister has embraced the motion, not just in letter but in spirit. I also commend my colleagues in the Independent Group. Senator O'Brien has championed the issue, with other colleagues in the Independent Group. To an...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nessa Childers, MEP (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I have great pleasure in welcoming Ms Childers to the Seanad today. She is a valued and respected colleague in the Labour Party. I had the good fortune only last week, at Ms Childers's invitation, to visit Brussels along with a group of 35 delegates from Laois and the midlands area. Not that we were in any doubt about it, but we could see at first hand her level of activity and work, the...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nessa Childers, MEP (1 May 2013)

John Whelan: I am a serious fan of all sports, and I remember not long ago when Formula 1 cars looked more like cigarette boxes with wheels on them going around the tracks. Now we have people telling us the whole world will fall apart if we do not have alcohol companies sponsoring big sports matches and field sports. I will not single out anybody, whether it is GAA, soccer or rugby. We must face up to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. It is good to hear that a decision by the Minister is imminent. I have heard the word "shortly" in recent months.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: He has had the report on his desk since before last Christmas. Six months is a long time to consider this issue. The hospitals are not even running at the level for which HIQA has cleared them. For example, the Abbeyleix facility only has 22 patients. The community fears that moves are being taken to close it by stealth, to wear people down and to procrastinate. I urge the Minister of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (24 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to the House. I am grateful that she is taking this question on behalf of the Department of Health because no one in the country doubts for one second the commitment, care and compassion that the Minister of State brings to her role in the area of elderly care. The question is particularly topical and interesting...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I would like to take up the point raised by Senator O'Donovan. It is no secret that most of this country is swamped and water logged and that there has been a huge loss of crops and livestock this year. Last winter and the preceding year were the wettest on record yet bizarrely water in Dublin and the surrounding areas has been rationed during the past month. It is absurd that despite...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: -----and the construction of a new reservoir.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

John Whelan: I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to the House to explain when water metering will be introduced, in respect of which we are getting mixed messages from the Cabinet, and when water charges will be introduced. The new CEO of Irish Water took up his post this week, which is important. We need a coherent plan to ensure...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: Out of respect for the Chair and the time constraints, I will park an issue I intended to raise and take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Jimmy Walsh. I have known him for many years and I count him as a colleague. As a journalist for 30 years, I am only in the penny ha'penny place compared to Jimmy, who has 52 years on the clock. One would not think that to look at him or meet...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: Indeed. I am certain Jimmy has a good book in him, if not a great book and bestseller, but knowing the calibre and integrity of the man, it will not be a kiss and tell book.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: I will raise the burning issue across the country which concerns every householder; this is the vexed issue of the property tax. We must have a property tax and broaden the tax base, as there must be a fund to provide local services. Residents around the country cannot believe what is happening, as bills are emanating like confetti from the Revenue Commissioners. They are being sent to...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

John Whelan: I support a call made in the other House by Deputy Willie Penrose that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government impose an immediate moratorium on all planning or development of further wind farms until such time as the Government and Department conclude the review into the guidelines for the development of these massive wind farms. Proposals have been made for 2,500...