Results 361-380 of 743 for speaker:Jim D'Arcy

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann” and substitute the following: “notes that:- the framework for a new Junior Cycle includes English, Irish and Mathematics as compulsory subjects for all students, due to the importance of those subjects in developing literacy and numeracy skills; - contrary to recent commentary, History is not...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Dorothy Macardle was a Dundalk girl of course. To quote Yeats:Did that play of mine send out Certain men the English shot?I am not suggesting for a moment that the proposers of the motion are in this category. Nevertheless, I believe, as my grandmother used to say, that forced prayer is no devotion. The most important thing about history as a subject in secondary schools is not whether it...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (18 Sep 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: ----- and the quality of teaching and learning. Thankfully history as a subject in our schools at the moment has a reputation for excellent delivery and I have no doubt but that this will continue to be the case. I welcome the motion tabled by the Independent Senators. It offers a timely opportunity to debate a most important topic, namely, the teaching of history at junior cycle level....

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I could go back ten years, but I do not want to go there. I ask him to withdraw what he said. If he does so, I will be happy to work with him. I accept that he has probably increased awareness. I cannot support the motion because nothing has been proposed to take the place of this regulation, the rejection of which would leave us in a bad place.

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: A cello might be more useful. So too would a double bass. I do not think a violin works. The Opposition proposes to establish a statutory body to deal with organ donations. There are statutory bodies for everything so that everyone can have a job.and nothing gets done. In Haggardstown, when we did not want anything done, we set up a committee and a sub-committee and then we knew nothing...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: The purpose of this directive is to ensure standards of quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation. I attended the fleadh in Derry last week and I congratulate Senator Ó Murchú in that regard. At the fleadh dinner I was sitting beside Mr. Joe Brolly, who as Members may know donated one of his kidneys. He is a living donor. As we were in the Maiden City, we...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I pay tribute to Senator Darragh O'Brien in the context of the call he made yesterday in respect of the use of temperate language-----

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: The Senator is a very honourable man and he possesses great qualities. I note the fact that the Senator's party leader has given him his support in respect of what he said. We all have consciences. With the exception of matters relating to horse and greyhound racing, I also have a conscience. In the context of the introduction of on-the-spot fines for cyclists by 2014, I recognise the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I support the basic premise put forward by Senator Bacik. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, should be invited to come before the House in order that he might outline his strategy in respect of cycle lanes. I am aware that pilot schemes in this regard are in place in some towns in order to make roads cycle-friendly. The Minister of...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Abortion is against the spirit of the Irish people. However, as the life of the child is contingent on the life of the mother, where the life of the mother is at risk, it is necessary to protect and vindicate that life, bearing in mind, of course, the equal right to life of the unborn and, as far as possible, to protect and vindicate that life. That is the clear position I hold. The...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I think I am right. I am not very wise but I am not a bad judge of other people's wisdom, and I believe there is more wisdom, consideration, reflection and higher order qualities in the Seanad. That is the purpose of the Seanad. It makes a significant contribution. I am particularly impressed by the standard of debate and the scrutiny of legislation. I was very impressed with Senator...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: And in other places. I do not spend all my life in Sextons but I admit I do hear it there. I hear it at home and in other places. In fairness to Senator O'Sullivan, behind this rhetoric we are close. The Seanad is a very important institution. It is part of our democratic structure. I support the proposal to put a referendum to the people. I look forward to the argument for and against...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Senator O'Sullivan spoke about Fine Gael arrogance. If Carlsberg did arrogance, it would be Fianna Fáil arrogance. He mentioned General Eoin O'Duffy and the rogue gene in Fine Gael. I want to address that point. There have been three incidents in the history of the State. We all know the first time and we have made up since that. The second time was in 1969 when a man from a...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Yes I will but I am entitled to rebut that statement. On the third occasion, tá sé connected leis an rúd a duirt mo chara thall ansin. He said the third time was when Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan - we will not castigate any individual, decent people - put us in economic bondage. We are faced with a task and I think we are doing it honourably. We have a proud tradition in...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I take that point. The programme for Government includes a provision to put to a referendum of the people the proposal to abolish the Seanad. We on this side say it is right that this be done. One would think from listening to the contribution of Members on the other side that the Taoiseach will just announce the Seanad is abolished. That is the tone of their comments. Senator Leyden...

Seanad: Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: I compliment the Minister of State and his officials on bringing this very important Bill through the Houses. Hopefully it will lead to a bright new start for the workers in FÁS who will be moving on to work in collaboration with the education and training boards and the VECs. FÁS definitely was a toxic brand, even though most of the workers in it were blameless in that respect....

Seanad: Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Co-operation in Education: Discussion (27 Jun 2013)

Jim D'Arcy: Can I stay overnight with Deputy Colreavy?