Results 141-160 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Apprenticeship Programmes (18 Sep 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for his answer. It is not directly his responsibility. SOLAS is being deliberately disingenuous with the answer that it has provided to the Minister. SOLAS is dodging the question. I state categorically that SOLAS is massaging the figures. I have verifiable figures from both the Construction Industry Federation and ICTU which have made a joint submission to...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2014)

John Whelan: Senator John Crown is an expert in the area of health services provision and he points out that one cannot expect to double performance and productivity in hospitals while reducing staffing and resources. Portlaoise hospital was neglected, under-resourced and underfunded for years when it played second fiddle to other facilities because of the interference of a then Minister who has held the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2014)

John Whelan: I commend the new Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on the manner on which he has approached his remit and brief and on being so forthright and forthcoming. I ask him, at the earliest opportunity and possibly in the Seanad, to nip in the bud certain terrible speculation, rumour and gossip that are swirling around in the public domain. This arises because of the publication of...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and commend him for making himself available for this important debate. His presence adds weight and I wish him every success in his new ministry. I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, in acknowledging the role and efforts of another Laois man at the centre of the crisis in Gaza, Mr. John...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency: Motion (9 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the extensive cross-party support we have received this evening on this motion on this important issue. It is stirring and heartening that we can agree on matters of such national importance for all our citizens. I thank all colleagues for their contributions and support. I say to the EPA that we in this House will not relent until we have...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency: Motion (9 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I move: That Seanad Éireann:- commends the policy as set out in the Programme for Government for environmental protection, environmental controls and regulation, with particular reference to encouraging the use of recycling, resource efficiencies and to establishing a rigorous enforcement regime; - commends the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for his...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Back to School Costs (3 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive response. I am heartened to see the commitment of the Minister to the book rental scheme, of which there is a good take-up across the country. However, there are blind spots and schools that are reluctant; therefore, some effort and co-operation are required between management of a school, the teachers, parents and students. Perhaps the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Back to School Costs (3 Jul 2014)

John Whelan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. As he will be aware, despite the fact that the school holidays have only commenced, issues surrounding the back to school clothing and footwear scheme are arising already. This is a particularly stressful and arduous time for families and parents and many thousands of children benefit from the scheme annually. My concern is those families who, because...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Bacik, and Senator Ó Murchú, who have highlighted that in this country we have had more than our share of miscarriages of justice. In the week that we mourn the passing of Gerry Conlon, one such victim, it is appropriate that we bring to the notice of the House, the Tánaiste and the Government that we should not have any truck...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Why are the people of Laois not being afforded the same opportunity to have high-voltage power cables placed underground?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I will tell the House why. This EirGrid expansion is being built for the benefit of big wind-farm developers who want to destroy the countryside with industrial wind farms within 500 m of people's homes.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I do. I want the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to come to the House and explain why the planning laws are different in two different parts of the country. Why do we have the biggest conflict of interest in this country between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, EirGrid and the wind-energy developers who want to impose these giant industrial wind farms...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I want to alert the Leader and the Government that the public's patience is wearing thin and people will not have these wind farms imposed on top of their farms, families and houses.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Thanks to extensive media coverage over the past week, most people in the country are aware of the dastardly deed that took place in Dalkey earlier this week - the cruel and callous attempt to poison peregrine falcons nesting in the quarry. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, and we have records of recent attempts to kill, poison or shoot protected species such as white-tailed...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: The Taoiseach said this week that he would like to think that we would learn from the situation in Rossport. I would also like to think that we would learn from it. However, there is no evidence in the planning process that we are. Only this week, An Bord Pleanála overturned the decision of Offaly County Council and Laois County Council to grant planning permission for gigantic and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: Yes. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to explain the reason planning permission for wind farms the length and breadth of the country is being granted at a time when there is a vacuum in terms of planning regulation and guidelines in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I believe the delay in introducing the guidelines is a tactic to ensure that the planning permissions have been approved before they come into force. It is a scandal and must be stopped.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I am looking forward to the imminent Cabinet reshuffle, which cannot come soon enough. I hope it is robust and radical and that the Taoiseach takes the opportunity to appoint Ministers and Ministers of State who will listen to the public and their representatives.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: It is a reasonable point.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Cathaoirleach.