Results 321-340 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Would the Government receive policy advice from the commission? At present, we have proportional representation. Is the Minister thinking of a single non-transferable vote or single-seat constituencies? Would the commission have a function in this regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: It might afford a Government-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: The commission might be used-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: The commission might be used by the Government to introduce a system that might not be politically popular or that could be politically dangerous.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: It would have to be accountable to the Government of the day and the Oireachtas.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Therefore, the Minister is saying it is for us to decide and that he will accept what the committee decides.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Is the Minister saying he will just consider it, rather than accept it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Are you proposing a motion that he should go there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Do not worry about us; we will worry about ourselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Deputy Dowds articulated some concerns about the register. He also believes that allowing those on holiday to vote should be considered as part of the reform as nobody should be disenfranchised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Our next speaker is Deputy Helen McEntee. I understand today is her first day to participate as a member of this committee and I wish her well and hope she has not been scared off by now. I wish her every success as a member of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Last but by no means least is Senator Keane. A good miner is always last.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: I ask the Senator not to repeat it all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: One speaker at a time, please. I urge Members to speak through the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: Notwithstanding the recurring themes, a number of proposals were made. It is intriguing that while the "vote early and vote often" mantra was mentioned, nobody said, "Dead people do not talk but they do vote."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: That concludes our consideration of this topic. I thank the Minister and his officials.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (10 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: 289. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the benefits and entitlements that will accrue to young farmers engaged in partnership farming, including those in partnership contract with a parent, under the Department's Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10538/15]

Leaders' Questions (5 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: "No". "No". "No".

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (3 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: 270. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to providing a grant for a fodder growing system for organic farmers; the grants available to organic farmers at present to help with their costs, or if other grants will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8893/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme (3 Mar 2015)

Noel Coonan: 384. To ask the Minister for Health when an application under the long-term illness scheme will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8886/15]