Results 61-80 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

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

Noel Coonan: Surely a party as arrogant as that—

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

Noel Coonan: —has not found itself captivated and entranced by a desire to look after others? That would be a change. In response to comments made earlier, I must state that the real problem is that Fianna Fáil has been too long in Government. It has forgotten for whom it works and who holds the real power. Having gorged itself for so long in office, its desire is to hide the rotten corpse it has left...

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

Noel Coonan: Is there a smell in the House? The saddest thing is the way in which the Government parties so willingly and shamelessly placed their selfish interests above those of the people. In the form of the Bill and at the expense of providing individual citizens with needed and deserved information, they are trying to further insulate themselves and their misdeeds from public examination.

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

Noel Coonan: The pendulum, which already leans in favour of Government against the citizen – namely, Joe Soap – will swing definitively and further in that direction. For the people to have an interest, to trust and to have an impact of any substance on the political process, they need to know we have nothing to hide. What does the Leader, her party and the Government have to hide?

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

Noel Coonan: If it has nothing to hide, why is there a need for the Bill? This legislation is a giant step in the wrong direction.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Did the Senator discover his voice? He was quiet last night.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: The Senator should thank the Government for closing the hospital as well.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: We will ensure that does not happen.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I welcome the Minister. This is my first opportunity to wish him well in his portfolio. It is important in the interests of local government that he does well and gets this legislation right, although I have reservations about it. I also compliment Senator Wilson on his excellent contribution and hope he has the courage of his convictions, does his mother proud and votes as he feels, against...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: With regard to the Bill, the Minister is putting the cart before the horse. He spoke earlier in the context of two items of legislation, namely, the Protection of the Environment Bill, which will take powers away from councillors, and the Local Government Bill, which will give them powers. Essentially, this is double-speak. I and many of my colleagues would love to support the Bill if it was...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Absolutely. That is what I am saying. It is regrettable that we do not have them now. I would support the Bill if it was accompanied by genuine reform of local government. I have outlined the instances in which this is lacking. I have presented the facts and the Minister can correct me on them afterwards if he wishes.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I will provide another example. I was already double-jobbing on two authorities before I became a Senator. The NRA has responsibility for national primary and national secondary roads. The N62 runs through the heart of the jurisdiction of Templemore Town Council, which I represent. The council cannot spend money on improving streets or footpaths. It has to get permission from the NRA if it...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: Yes, but we cannot put down parliamentary questions. We have the right to raise matters on the Adjournment, but only three matters are accepted each day. The Minister knows that the matters are rarely addressed adequately. One gets a public servant's reply, which often—

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: —fails to reflect the issue raised. The Minister should consider the fact that councillors elect many Senators. When he abolishes the dual mandate, we will no longer be able to serve on councils or attend conferences. Where will we meet councillors? Does the Minister propose to put in place a mechanism that will maintain the link between Senators and councillors so that we can continue to...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I compliment the Minister on his remarkable patience and endurance in listening to this debate in recent days. He has lent credibility to the Senators by listening to them. There was merit in the proposal when mooted two years ago by the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Noel Dempsey. However, it was withdrawn due to the influence of Independent Members and deemed not to be a good idea. The then...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: All he has to do is deal with a few awkward ones and, hey presto, the Bill will go through. However, the ending of the dual mandate will not save money. All it will do is add an extra layer of local representatives who will be paid from the public purse. It will not deliver better local government. Senators and Deputies from all parties have made excellent contributions to and helped reform...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: We are on the way to a revolution all right.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: I am delighted the Minister has consulted our document for ideas.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: The Minister should read A Democratic Revolution and he will find out how to do it.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Noel Coonan: The Senator is not listening.