Results 381-400 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I am grateful for your forbearance, a Chathaoirligh. I ask the Leader to call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to instigate without further delay a commission of inquiry into the cover-up of the botched investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I am nervous and reluctant, because I agree with sentiments expressed, to speak about the complex and delicate nature of the case that has arisen in Galway and its implications. I commend Senator Heffernan for the sensible and sensitive tone he set calling for a more compassionate and reasoned discourse on these issues. I also commend Senator Reilly. This was a terrible tragedy and it will...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: My heart goes out the poor family in Galway and the obstetricians, gynaecologists and midwives who have to make life or death decisions in a matter of seconds in stressful circumstances. It is important we take seriously our responsibilities as legislators. It is clear the medical profession requires legal clarity on this complex issue, for which one would have to have the wisdom of Solomon...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: It was a fair comment. It was said in the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: With great difficulty.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: Notwithstanding the genuine answer the Leader provided yesterday in respect of the obscene pensions of the order of ¤500,000 and ¤650,000 that are being paid to bankers, I remind him and the Government that this issue is not going to go away. His reply was accurate in so far as he replied to the question that was put to him, namely, that one cannot single out a particular small section of...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: Good man. The Senator will give us all a good name with that kind of talk.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: On a point of order, at what stage did I try to intimidate anyone?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Nursing Homes (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I am grateful for the Minister of State's informative response which includes some good and interesting detail. She has pointed out that the review was concluded on 16 August. Her suggestion that a recommendation is expected "presently" is a little vague for people from where I come. What does "presently" mean? How long is a piece of string? I would like to receive some indication of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Nursing Homes (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment and I am glad the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is in the Chamber to respond to it. I do not doubt her commitment, passion and common-sense approach to care of the elderly. Many groups such as Older and Bolder share my opinion of her, even though they are concerned and fearful about...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: I could not agree more with Senators O'Donnell and Kelly. This is the most pressing and most vexed issue throughout the country. The people are looking on in awe, flabbergasted at the manner in which the bankers in this country are riding the public bareback while the Government looks on, saying its hands are tied, it is helpless and there is nothing it can do. That is not true. If there...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: When did that happen?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: When did that happen?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

John Whelan: The Senator is making that up.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Bank Branch Closures (23 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I fully realise that the Minister of State's hands are tied and I know he would do his utmost to address this matter if he could. While Allied Irish Bank may be getting leaner, it is certainly getting meaner. Its lack of ability to engage with its customers in this case must be noted. I am baffled as to how it could be economically and commercially viable to close a bank branch in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Bank Branch Closures (23 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I am glad to see him here because I know he takes the matters we raise here seriously and will address them to the best of his ability. Where will I start with regard to AIB? It is in State ownership but not under State control because the same people are still running it in their own image and likeness and doing what they see fit with...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I pay tribute to two outstanding and courageous journalists - Paul Kimmage and David Walsh. They deserve all our thanks and full credit for the courage, conviction and perseverance they showed over a decade to expose the outrageous cheating, drug abuse and doping that occurred on the Tour de France. They have been vindicated, although Mr. Kimmage stands exposed to being sued, which is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: My question pertains to media control and ownership because without a strong, independent and robust media, these situations would never be challenged or exposed. A documentary on RTE last night dealt with the question of the future of television. Will programmes only be made on the basis of who can sponsor or pay for them? Will it be a case of he who pays the piper calls the tune? That...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I call on the Leader, as a matter of urgency, to inform the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, of a matter of grave concern, namely, a fire hazard which could have serious ramifications in the town of Portarlington. It concerns the former Avon Arlington factory which is disused, closed and derelict since 1998 but apparently is now under...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Respite Care Services (4 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I have the privilege of welcoming the new Minister of State at the Department of Health to the House for the first time in that capacity. I wish him well in his endeavours. He is singularly fit and capable of carrying out his duties and responsibilities. In the 18 months I have been in the Seanad I have not raised a matter that concerns me as much as this matter before the House. It...