Results 361-380 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I believe it would be a pointless, if populist, gesture, playing into the hands of a grossly irresponsible Opposition. Some of us have a value system and agenda that goes beyond the pursuit of merely looking to the next election and playing to the gallery. I will finish on this point.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I intend to campaign for real change and reform as a committed Labour Party Senator and supporter of this Government.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I would like on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Labour Party in counties Laois and Offaly, to apologise to the electorate in our constituency for failing in this instance to abide by a solemn pre-election pledge to protect child benefit. To say otherwise is merely splitting hairs and semantics. When I, along with my colleagues, put up those posters and distributed those leaflets during...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I asked the director general two specific questions. One related to putting the record straight at the earliest opportunity. Why did that not happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: That was not the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: As I understand it, the programme makers became aware, with 30 minutes still remaining in the programme, that the authenticity of the game-changing tweet was questionable and that was not put into the mix so that viewers could judge the veracity of what was happening.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: That is my point. Someone decided to put the first tweet into play. Who decided not to put the second one into play?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: There was another question to Mr. Morrison.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Editorial Review of The Frontline Presidential Debate: Discussion with RTE (12 Dec 2012)

John Whelan: I also thank the RTE team for coming in to address this. We are not here to rerun the presidential debate or the campaign. That horse has bolted and people can make up their own minds. Neither are we here to have a go at RTE; we are trying to draw a line under the saga, which is in everyone's interests, and ensure it does not recur. I accept the findings of the report that there was no...

Seanad: Europol Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch to the House. I commend the provisions in this important Bill. It is, perhaps, housekeeping, a sensible piece of legal scaffolding or necessary infrastructure. I am surprised it has taken this long to put it in place but I commend the Minister and the Government for bringing it to this stage. We enjoy all of the benefits,...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I am not going to try the patience or the courtesy of the Cathaoirleach by trying to squeeze in four or five items. This morning I received a very disturbing and alarming petition from the Mountmellick Business Association. On top of all the other difficulties those in business have in the current climate, there are people accosting shoppers and others going about their business in the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister for coming here personally to take the question so seriously. I am somewhat relieved to hear that he has not finished with the matter, that it is a work in progress and that he is continuing to address this issue. I am, however, a little disappointed to hear that his hands are tied and that there are legal constraints. What is the scope, if necessary, to change the law...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I apologise to the Minister for inadvertently delaying him. I understood we would be dealing with this business at 2 p.m. and I beg his pardon. With the permission of the House, I wish to share my time with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell who has also expressed an interest in this matter and has also expressed strong views on it.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I appreciate the Minister coming into the House to address this matter of extreme public concern. Many people are perplexed by what they see as Government inaction on what is viewed as excessive pay and pension entitlements which are paid from the public purse in particular, but not solely, within the banking sector. It applies across the board within the public sector and in the political...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I would not push it too far if I were the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: Do Senator Darragh O'Brien want me to name the politician who was there?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: It was 27 years ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: We will not be told by the Senator Owhat we can do.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I wish to raise a matter of the utmost and gravest concern, about which any right-minded person would be concerned. I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality and his Cabinet colleagues to fulfil a commitment given to the Molloy family from Roscommon prior to the general election to establish a commission of inquiry into the sordid and sinister murder of Fr. Niall Molloy in Clara,...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I am not asking for a debate. I am calling on the Leader to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to establish a commission of inquiry, as promised to the family. There has been a conspiracy of silence and cover-up surrounding the case, involving so-called pillars of society, including individuals, elements within the Garda Síochána, the legal fraternity, the medical fraternity, the...