Results 1-20 of 4,524 for speaker:Victor Boyhan

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (8 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: It is a great pleasure for all of us today, sitting here observing what is happening. We all have taken a long journey. We have come here with our own experiences, traditions, cultures and challenges and I agree it is a day of celebration. I thank Senator Norris for his words, which were, in some ways, provocative. However, many of them need to be examined. No doubt we have looked at...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: Will the Leader considering inviting the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, to the House to explain and give some rationale regarding a proposal that was announced in the national media yesterday about the provision of €200 million for a critical infrastructure fund? We know we have a social and affordable housing crisis in this country. Everyone in politics and public life knows that,...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I endorse what Senator McDowell said, first in respect of the call for a secret ballot for these positions. That is very important and valid. It has happened in Dáil Éireann, why should it not happen in Seanad Éireann? That is a challenge to all of us as Senators with our respective contacts and parties. Senator Craughwell is neither an undertaker nor a caretaker but has...

Seanad: Poverty and Homelessness: Motion (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: First, I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and giving his time. I appreciate that he is busy. It has been a good debate on homelessness and the provision of homes. Both the motion and the amendment are valid and I do not see any reason not to support both. That is my view.

Seanad: Poverty and Homelessness: Motion (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: There are many Senators who have personally experienced at first hand the issues in local authorities. I am disappointed to say that the local authority I come from, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, which would be considered perhaps one of the most affluent parts of the country, built six houses last year. There are 5,500 people on the housing list, many of whom are families. That is not a...

Seanad: Poverty and Homelessness: Motion (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: Why did the previous Government introduce a tenant purchase scheme when, for example, the local authority from which I have come has built six houses and when we know there are hundreds of people already applying and qualifying to purchase these houses? Forget about the principle of selling or not selling. We will be forced to sell more houses than we are building. What guarantee is there...

Seanad: Poverty and Homelessness: Motion (15 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: There are social implications for the children and there is exposure and vulnerability for families. There are also issues of child protection and safety, as they are hauled around the streets and into hostels before going back to councils, humiliated. We need to support people with other difficulties, such as disability and adult literacy problems, who come to housing agencies. A woman...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I received two letters and three telephone calls in the past two days relating to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. It has been said on numerous occasions that a totally new hospital was to be built there. It was then said that there were setbacks and that it was to be an extension. On his next visit to the House, could the Minister for Health give us a...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: In most of the media today, there have been comments that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is proposing to instruct local authorities to introduce charges for civic bring centres. This is rather odd, as it is meant to be Government policy that we allow and empower local authorities to make decisions over their affairs and operate within their budgets. This is...

Seanad: Health: Statements (21 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I will be very brief. I will not even be one minute. Firstly, I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and thank him for yet again coming into the Seanad. There is clearly not much mention of the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the programme for Government. In the past it has demonstrated itself as being a very able, efficient and very focused group. Under this new Government...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (22 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I want to raise the issue of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Rochestown Avenue, Dún Laoghaire. I do not intend to give a history lesson but those involved and those with knowledge of this hospital will know of numerous fancy elaborate schemes to rebuild the hospital. They all fell and came to nothing....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (22 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I reiterate the importance of the full title and agreement. It is important that the details of any agreement entered into for that particular site or block of land are examined in great detail. There is little detail in respect of finance and the Government co-funding this project. I intend to come back to the Minister of...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is an important debate and I thank Sinn Féin for tabling the motion before us today. That motion calls for the annulment of a statutory instrument, to be specific. There has been a lot of wandering off during this debate onto other issues on the Order Paper, previous debates and debates that we may have in the coming days. As I said a number...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: There are no takers.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Leader for organising for the Minister to come to the House for statements. I heard a number of Senators voice their opposition to statements, but on this occasion it is a good use of time. I will hold my comments on Brexit until later. I want to raise one simple issue. Last week, RTE, the national broadcaster, did the State yet another service. It exposed a terrible litany...

Seanad: United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (28 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister for giving his time because he has a busy schedule. In preparation for the debate, I visited the library to look through some papers, including a report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the conduct of business throughout the island of Ireland. The committee was chaired by Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, who is now a Minister of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I share the concerns of Senators who spoke about Console. Yesterday we discussed the matter on the Order of Business and we had somewhat of a reply. On that occasion, a number of Senators expressed their concern. Today I raise one simple issue, namely, the European Commission and the Water Framework Directive. This week the European Commission said that Ireland cannot abolish water...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. I also thank the two Senators who tabled the amendments for setting out their stall, or their case. The bottom line is that drugs are the scourge of all communities. They know no bounds. I accept that while there are major problems with drugs in certain deprived areas, there are also drugs in very affluent areas. Cocaine is to be found on the high...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Victor Boyhan: I am only here a few weeks. I was very taken by the Minister of State's very passionate argument. She has made a cogent case. I am impressed. I do not doubt the Minister of State's commitment and her track record in her own constituency. She is someone who comes with a long tradition of consultation and engagement in her community. I want it to put it on record that I have been amazed...