Results 181-200 of 743 for speaker:Jim D'Arcy

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I propose to share time with Senator Healy Eames. I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome the publication of the report and I congratulate the Chairman and members of the panel. Following the report, the Minister stated that there was general acceptance that a greater diversity of primary schooling is necessary. I welcome the readiness of the partners to do this. I also...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: As the Minister said, there may be a problem with part of rule 68, which states that religious instruction should inform and vivify the whole work of the school day. This may have to be examined from the doctrinal side. It is unlikely that parents in many parish schools will vote for immediate change. I may be wrong but I have a feeling for their opinions. However, these schools must...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: The Minister has referred to forthcoming meetings. Who will be involved?

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: The Minister answered my question on the boards of management but in my experience, the board of management is an amazing resource and could be developed further, in particular in the context of the stand-alone schools. Would the Minister agree with that?

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I commend Senator Power on bringing forward the Bill. I have had many discussions with her and I support the Bill. Senator O'Sullivan stated some people in his party would not be regarded as liberal and it is the same with mine. However, this is not about liberalism; it is about justice.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I will switch it off. I recall the words of Fidel Castro, not that I am a supporter. He stated he did not have a liberal bone in his body but that he believed in justice. I do not know how true this is but he said it. I also believe in justice and I hope people would not be discriminated against when going for a job or in employment on the basis of gender or civic status. I recall when I...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: It is not about what I believed but about what they believed.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I was delighted to hear, as reported on RTE radio this morning, that Chinese culture and language will now be offered on the transition year course, in particular in the week when An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the first phase of an enormous Chinese trading hub on the edge of Athlone in County Westmeath. I urge students to continue to study a second language at secondary...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I support Senator Darragh O'Brien in asking the Deputy Leader to invite the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to come to the Seanad to discuss the mortgage problem. I welcome recent reports that the banks plan to introduce a split mortgage product which would allow borrowers to shelve part of their loan, with no repayments and, crucially, no interest payable...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: On Thursday of last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming Louise Phelan, the vice-president of PayPal, to Dundalk to speak at a Chamber of Commerce lunch at my invitation. She spoke of the importance of a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: This lady also expressed the importance of our students having a second language. I spoke about this last week in the context of Chinese being introduced as a second language in transition year. We need a second language for our students so they will not be on the back foot. I know the Minister for Education and Skills has been in this Chamber many times and treats the House with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: That goes without saying.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I welcome the strong criticism by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, of the delay by the seven university presidents in bringing forward new proposals on the points system for third level admissions. The universities must get their act together on the matter without delay. Last September the college heads - all vocal critics of the leaving certificate and rote...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: The Comptroller and Auditor General has found that more than €8 million in authorised allowances was paid to senior university staff between 2005 and 2011. Our educational elite are creaming off the top. There are Members of this House who are representing some of the universities.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Does the Leader agree that the universities hold our most precious resource - our young people - in their hands and, as such, should be much quicker to respond to current needs?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to the House to make a statement on the progress being made on diesel laundering. The Minister of State met Louth County Council officials and Oireachtas Members from Louth. He said legislative changes were planned to enable more effective controls and that steps would be taken to acquire a more effective marker. I would...

Seanad: Gaeltacht Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Shíl mé gur tháinig mé isteach anseo inniu le caint faoi Bhille na Gaeltachta, ach cloisim go leor faoi phoblachtánachas. Bhí mise i Rann na Feirste samhradh amháin ag fanacht i teach ansin. Bhi an Cairdinéal Ó Fiach sa teach céanna liom. Tháinig deartháir fear an tí isteach sa teach agus dúirt sé: "I am a republican to the hilt." D'fhreagair a dheartháir: "Aye, a...

Seanad: Gaeltacht Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: Rinne daoine eile ráitis. Sin an méid atá le moladh agam ag an am seo. Glacaim go bhfuil muid ag caint anois faoi leasú Uimh. 2. Caithfimid tacú leis an Aire Stáit, nó gheobhaidh an teanga bás i roinnt Gaeltachtaí. Aontaím leis an Aire Stáit ar an ábhar seo.

Seanad: Gaeltacht Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Jim D'Arcy: It is not irrelevant.