Results 41-60 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: Why are so many young farmers leaving the land?

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: That is worth a box of chocolates.

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: Who is being negative now?

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: The Senator is bereft of ideas. He is looking for our help. It is the Government's job to govern.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: As the holder of an auctioneer's licence, I wish to respond to Senator O'Toole. Perhaps he is confusing the positions of estate agents and auctioneers. Auctioneers are subject to an annual review by the District Court. If one is not performing properly, one will have to account for oneself in court and one's licence may be revoked. Certainly, if one meets Justice Martin, one must have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Noel Coonan: The Senator is too straitlaced.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I support the amendment proposed by my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes. Second Stage debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill is to be rammed through the House when Senators have not been appropriately informed about the legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I ask the Leader to raise with the Minister for Agriculture and Food the crisis in agriculture that has been exacerbated today by the charges to be imposed on farmers for rendering, which will result in a reduction of €40 per head. I also ask the Leader to request the attendance in the House of the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I know, Sir, you are very concerned about this issue. The Leader must act on it.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I realise how close I am living to the seat of power when I see you, Acting Chairman, chairing this debate and the Minister of State in the House. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, also lives close to us. Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State. I have not had an opportunity to welcome him to the Seanad until tonight and I wish him well.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I always say nice things about the Minister of State. I say what I need to say to him, not elsewhere. He knows where he stands with me, whatever about his colleagues. I will read my speech because, having listened to 2,000 angry farmers in Abbeyleix tonight, I would be in danger of using some of the expletives I heard there and might be accused of using unparliamentary language. This is a sad...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: We are debating a major change to a landmark public policy measure. Committee Stage, scheduled to take place this week, will occur during a time when the relevant Ministers may not be present. This buggers belief. If I was burdened with the record of the past six years and knew it would become available to the public on 21 April next, I would rush to cover my tracks also.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Perhaps the Act is being buggered also. It is clear that the Government has something serious to cover up.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: No, but the Senator might be a Ray Burke.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Does the Leader want me to go on?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: The hour is late. I will get the Leader another time. This Bill is not in the interests of the people or the civic spirit of the country which will suffer as a result. The honesty and integrity of government are critical to maintaining the faith of the people it serves. Experience has shown that this is best achieved through relative transparency and ease of access. Experience has also shown...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Who would neglect to obtain an input from or ignore the Department in question? For that matter, who would wait for the expiration of the first five year period before suggesting change? Those in Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are the only people who would do so. The Government's stated motives cannot be accepted and they certainly cannot be trusted.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: —-with the introduction of this Bill?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Surely a party as arrogant and self-centred as Fianna Fáil—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: —which is the party of Senator Wilson, who will not address the House—