Results 1-20 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy. (12 Sep 2002)

Noel Coonan: Is mór an ocáid bróin dom rún comhbhróin a mholadh do bhean David Molony, Eve agus a bheirt mhac Conor agus Pádraig. Bhí néal mór ar Durlas Éile agus Contae Thiobraid Árainn nuair a chloiseamar an droch-nuacht. David Molony was a friend, colleague and mentor. During his time in this distinguished House and Dáil Éireann he represented the people of his native Thurles and County...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: Illiteracy rates are higher now than they were 20 years ago.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cancer Screening Services. (17 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. I am pleased he has come to the House to outline the reasons that the national breast screening programme is currently unavailable to women in the Mid-Western Health Board region and other areas. Following the publication of a report on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease, in March...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cancer Screening Services. (17 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: Mammography is not available in Nenagh.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cancer Screening Services. (17 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: The Minister said that mammography services are currently available at Ennis, Nenagh and the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, but they are not available at Nenagh General Hospital. Perhaps the Minister, through his Department, could ensure that mammography services are made available at the hospital.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cancer Screening Services. (17 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food to intervene in the worsening dispute between the farming groups and meat processing plants? This dispute will have dire consequences for the farming community, meat exporters and workers employed in the plants. It is vital that somebody intervenes in the dispute as a matter of urgency. If the Leader finds the Minister is unwilling to...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (24 Oct 2002)

Noel Coonan: I welcome the Minister, whose contribution was most enlightening. He has been described by Members on the other side of the House as a reforming Minister, but we on this side will take our time and judge him on his actions. We wish him well in his work during the coming years. There is no doubt that the drink culture which has enveloped the country has contributed significantly to the rise in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: I support my colleagues in their request for a debate on the proposed closure of railway lines. There is a lot of passion about this subject in the House which I share. The issue affects my county through which two of the railway lines run. I ask the Leader to invite Senator Mansergh to make a statement to the House in view of the Taoiseach's comments yesterday in order that the Senator can...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: In fairness to Senator Mansergh, he said he would comment when the Taoiseach had replied.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: I am asking the Leader if she would advise or ask the Senator to respond to the allegations and clear up any doubt that might remain.

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to address us today. I am delighted he has returned safely from his successful visit to Fairyhill. Not many Members will know where that is, but the Minister can tell them afterwards. The Minister mentioned farm incomes in respect of which farmers are getting very angry. He failed to mention that incomes are set to fall by 17% by which amount he...

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: The Senator is living in a different world.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: I second the amendment moved by Senator Cummins. The attitude of the Government is reflected by the Minister and the proposer of the motion who did not listen to what Senator Cummins had to say. I suppose in that case there is not much point in debating the issue.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: They were engaged in a serious conversation for seven minutes.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: For seven minutes?

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: The two issues mentioned are important, namely, the carer's allowance and home help, and I would like to link them. The manner in which carers are treated is regrettable given the work they do in keeping patients in their community and the money they save the Government by caring for those people in their homes rather than their occupying valuable bed space in hospitals. We know what it costs...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: I know Senator Wilson will agree with me but he finds it difficult to do so in front of his colleagues. The needs of the less well off in society are a serious matter because such people suffered the most and carried the brunt of cutbacks in bad times when the economy was in trouble. Yet, when the economy was booming, they were forgotten by the Government. They were not given the same...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: However, 10% of a large figure would make a big difference. An increase of 10% for people like the Minister, at the top of the ranking, will yield more than many poor people get in a lifetime. If a person on low pay gets 10%, the reality is they are getting very little. Let us consider the new poor in society, the farming community. Why is there so little uptake in the farm assist scheme? It...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (6 Nov 2002)

Noel Coonan: The Minister disagrees with Senator Mansergh.