Results 1-20 of 1,714 for speaker:John Dardis

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach. (12 Sep 2002)

John Dardis: I will resist the temptation to enter into debate with the Acting Chairman. It will be interesting to see how Standing Orders accommodated that problem. I wonder how one of such tender years can be the father of the House. On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I second the nomination of Senator Kiely. He has always been a good Acting Chairman. He will fulfil the obligations of Cathaoirleach...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach. (12 Sep 2002)

John Dardis: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join in the heartfelt congratulations to you, a Chathaoirligh. Your election represents a continuity of excellence and I know you will maintain the excellent tradition established by your predecessors. We had come to regard the position of Cathaoirleach as being solely in the purview of those from Westmeath and Roscommon but it has now moved to a...

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

John Dardis: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I wish to be associated with these expressions of sympathy. David Molony did an enormous amount in the course of his life and obviously still had a great deal to offer. It is a great tragedy for his family that he should die at such an early age, leaving behind two young sons. As his career has been well described by other Senators, I will not repeat...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: Several Opposition Senators have asked for a debate on Northern Ireland and it is important to state that their concerns are shared on this side of the House. The peace process is encountering difficulties and I am sure all Senators hope it will survive intact. Senators calling for a debate should bear in mind the nature of the crisis in the North as the future of the power-sharing Executive...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: The Chair has no power over spin doctors but has some power over interruptions. Senator Fitzgerald without interruption.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: I welcome President Cox. It is a particular pleasure for a party that is a member of the liberal group that it is a person from that group who is the President of the Parliament. Transcending that, we also acknowledge that it is an Irishman who is here today and that many Irish people hold senior positions. Apart from the aspects the President spoke about in terms of the achievements with...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: He was not half as good.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: City status for Killarney.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: It is the first time Trinity College has taken an instruction from a Minister.

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage. (16 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: I propose to share my time with Senators Mansergh and O'Rourke. This Bill is long overdue and were it not for the rejection of the Nice treaty in the last referendum, we could still be waiting for it. In 1997 the all-party committee on the Constitution under the chairmanship of Deputy O'Keeffe stated: The committee believes the Seanad could play a major role in ensuring this important task is...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage. (16 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: There is not a democratic deficit; there is a different institutional way of doing things in Europe. The democratic system operates within the fact that the Commission proposes the legislation. There are some powers of initiation for the parliament. The Council, which represents the people of the Union, disposes; the parliament expresses its view and in the case of the budget it can veto....

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage. (16 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: I would not enter into those aspects of the chicken's life. Sensible people cannot understand some of these regulations, such as those concerning the straight banana, but there is an implementation aspect involved. Some of these people never leave their Brussels offices to see what happens in the outside world. Senator Cummins mentioned the gap at Commission level and there is something to...

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motions. (17 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: This is not the first time I find myself in agreement with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motions. (17 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: There are several issues to do with the manner in which committees are formed. In the case of joint committees which are made up of Members from both Houses then there has to be some overall co-ordination. It is a different matter when it is a select committee of this House. It is then totally within the reserve of this House and it should be dealt with solely by this House.

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motions. (17 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: I do not wish to re-open that debate. I remember that the All-Party Committee on the Constitution had hearings on the question of abortion which went on for a long time. Senator O'Toole and I were involved in a sub-committee of the finance and the public service committee which dealt with ethics and the whole question of the Blue Book. It was an onerous commitment. It has been my experience...

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motions. (17 Oct 2002)

John Dardis: Perhaps we are entering into the realms of conversation rather than debate. The most appropriate thing to do would be to form the committees. If the number increases from four to five, then the extra members can be added by way of resolution.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

John Dardis: I suppose the Senator comes to Dublin on the train from Killarney every day.

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

John Dardis: We are required to declare an interest at the outset of these debates, so I declare my interest as a tillage farmer in County Kildare. I used to farm beef until I saw the light of day and was no longer financially able to sustain a beef enterprise. The industry is facing several huge challenges. There is the challenge of enlargement, and how we are going to deal with countries where a...

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

John Dardis: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2002)

John Dardis: I agree with Senators Hayes and O'Toole that it would be appropriate to debate the issue of racism and our attitudes to those who come here to work or seek refuge. The House could usefully confirm that some of the recent myths regarding how some of the people concerned are dealt with are myths. There was a degree of xenophobia in some circles when the Nice treaty was being debated and we...