Results 441-460 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

John Whelan: It was established by Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

John Whelan: I support Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for a debate, with the relevant Minister, on the proposed personal insolvency Bill. The Senator is right that it is a matter of huge public importance. People are crying out for some support to alleviate their personal indebtedness. I am not sure but I think it is the Minister for Justice and Equality that will introduce the Bill. I am concerned...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

John Whelan: I support Senator Gilroy's call for a debate on political reform. The debate should not be solely concerned with the future of the Seanad but should be a broad ranging discussion. I am not sure of precedent but would the Taoiseach take the opportunity to air his views on the raft of areas that could be improved and developed, as a commitment was included in the programme for Government to...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

John Whelan: They are not party leaders, they are Independent Members.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

John Whelan: With respect, in the context of political reform, is this not a fair point to raise? Can we not say that these Members are not party political leaders but Independents?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

John Whelan: It is an absurd burden on the taxpayer at this juncture.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the stability treaty. That is what we are discussing. I welcome the robust, genuine and sincere contributions from across the floor. No one has a monopoly on patriotism or concern. We are all trying our best to represent the best interests of our families, children and those in our communities, many of whom are unemployed or not living in the country...

Seanad: Illegal Fuel Laundering (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I am grateful to the Minister of State for taking the time to come to the House to take this Adjournment debate. Unfortunately, fuel smuggling and fuel smugglers have not gone away you know. Instead of it being a problem that is in abeyance, it is expanding all over the country, it is no longer just a Border problem. It costs the Exchequer an estimated €200 million in lost revenue every...

Seanad: Illegal Fuel Laundering (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for his thorough and comprehensive response. I am heartened by the range of measures being taken by various agencies of the State in terms of detection, enforcement and prosecution. It is to be hoped we are finally sucking diesel, as it were, on this matter. It is a problem that has been escalating out of all proportion. People might think they are getting...

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I will do my level best.

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I do not wish to go back over points that have already been made. I thank the Minister of State for what was a thorough, serious and genuine response to the contents of the motion. I also thank the stakeholders who have taken time out of their own busy schedules to attend this debate. While I acknowledge Members on this side are in government, they are not detached, removed or remote from...

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: While there are many other points I would like to raise, I will conclude by noting one cannot have one's cake and eat it and one cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. At present, the only people paying for local authority services are those in the small-business sector. A property tax must be reintroduced to replace rates, which should never have been abolished. Those who...

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: Fianna Fáil abolished rates and got us into this mess.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I call on the Leader to arrange, at the earliest possible juncture, for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to attend the House. I know he will be here to deal with other matters, but it would not be fair to ask him to deal with this issue at the same time. A question that is pending before the Cabinet is the establishment of a new water authority. Perhaps we...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: How will you pay for them?

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien and commend him on the measured and constructive criticism he levelled against the Government because that is the job of a robust and good Opposition. It is important that every Government is held to account. I would like to address the issues Senator Darragh O'Brien raised and make some points. It is in the best interest of the House that in doing so,...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: It is absurd that we are importing sugar from Germany into an agricultural country. Those are the kinds of jobs the Government is going after in its policy document, Harvest 2020.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: We will restore those jobs. In regard to the household charge and the endeavours of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, who has taken strong and robust initiatives in the area of local government and the funding of same, one cannot speak out of both sides of one's mouth and with forked tongues as in the Sinn Féin amendment. The reality is that one...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: I am grateful for the Leas-Chathaoirleach's accommodation.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

John Whelan: That allows for a long winter, by any circumstances.