Results 81-100 of 117 for speaker:John Bruton

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (3 Feb 2004)

John Bruton: Question 520: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will undertake a study of all orders made by him that could now be considered to be potentially in breach of Article 25 of the Constitution in view of the judgment of the High Court that the Aliens Order was unconstitutional due to the fact that it constituted an attempt to determine by secondary legislation a...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (3 Feb 2004)

John Bruton: Question 529: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will undertake a study of all orders made by her that could now be considered to be potentially in breach of Article 25 of the Constitution in view of the judgment of the High Court that the Aliens Order was unconstitutional due to the fact that it constituted an attempt to determine by secondary legislation a matter that...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: I do.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: I criticise it.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: It is a cheapskate measure.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: Deputy Haughey made an interesting contribution in regard to US-EU relations. It was his father who, during the Irish Presidency of his time, introduced the transatlantic dialogue between the European Union and the United States for the first time, creating a very useful structure wherein problems could be ironed out, much as the Anglo-Irish Agreement created a structure between the British...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: Germany agreed to it reluctantly and with deep and lasting bitterness. We must realise that. It agreed for the sake of Europe. As far as Europe is concerned, the Germans' agreement to the Nice treaty could be said to be the last instalment of their political payments to discharge their war guilt. That German concession is not a sound foundation upon which to build a new Europe. I am not quite...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: The Commission will be much more diverse than the rainbow coalition. Fifteen people is the most a chairman can hope to keep on the right track individually, giving them encouragement when they need it — a pat on the back or an encouraging phone call — so they can play as part of a team. A Commission of 30 will not work. We have a Commission of 20 now and it is not working. There is no...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: If countries do not like the rules they should change them. We cannot exempt large countries from the rules while applying them to small countries. This makes no sense at all. If we want to create a sense among the new countries of the EU that this is a Union of rules and principles and not of persons——

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: ——and of equals, then we must apply the rules equally to everybody. This is an area in which I am extremely critical of France and Germany. I stress the importance of the subsidarity early warning system, in so far as it will involve national parliaments in scrutinising EU law before it is considered by the European Council or Parliament. It would be a great step if this could be...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: I agree with the Deputy's viewpoints on the EURATOM Treaty. It is a pro-nuclear and distorted treaty that distorts the energy market. However, it is the only one we have in this area and the only one under which the Sellafield plant could be closed down. If the EURATOM Treaty is abolished, there would be no supra-national, EU mechanism for closing an unsafe nuclear plant. I do not know if...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: I hope I will have the Deputy's help in getting me into a position to do so. I believe the idea of a European armaments research agency is a good one. Do Members, especially those in Sinn Féin, believe that we can exist in a world without arms or armies? Do Members believe that such a world is about to break out upon us? I am especially surprised that Sinn Féin should advocate such an...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: Having already quoted Deputy Haughey's father, I wish to quote his grandfather, the former Taoiseach, Mr. Seán Lemass and agree with him when he said that, if a political union were to be created in Europe, we in Ireland should be willing to defend it. We have created enough in Europe that, if it were to be threatened by an external military force, we should be willing to defend it. It is...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: The day of their accession will be a truly wonderful day in European history. We must not forget that the EU is a quality mark of democracy. States want to join the Union because it is a seal of approval. If a state is eligible to be a candidate for EU membership, it is an indication that it is a truly functioning market democracy. The Union is a great success without parallel in the world. I...

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: Hear, hear, and at least some women were involved.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: Deputy Rabbitte erected a few in his time.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: It will not be ended the Deputy's way.

European Presidency: Statements. (20 Jan 2004)

John Bruton: He is actually very good at staying here, to be fair.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

John Bruton: It is indeed a great honour for me to address this House. I might have thought I would never have the opportunity to stand in this place again. I am very grateful to the Seanad for the honour it has done me in inviting me to address it as a humble Member of the Dáil. I have prepared some remarks which are available for circulation to Senators. I believe I have more copies than are required...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

John Bruton: That is what I would prefer. I would far prefer the proposals put forward by the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on behalf of the Government, to any of the other alternatives. If I cannot get what I would like, the proposals of the Government are the next best thing. At least the Government's proposals leave the door open ultimately to popular election, whereas the proposals being promoted...