Results 1-9 of 9 for other and baby speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (7 Nov 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate and welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am also interested in hearing his reply to the debate. The legislation been debated in the Lower House and passed all Stages earlier this year. I acknowledge the Bill was sponsored by the Social Democrats and the work that has gone into it. I may have some qualifications. I am the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Flooding at Ballycar on the Galway-Limerick Railway and Investment in Heavy Rail: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome all of the officials from the various agencies to the meeting. It is important that we discuss and debate the issues of concern to committee members and, indeed, the wider public. When we consider our national transport routes, whether they are motorways or rail networks, it is important that we acknowledge and identify where problems arise. That is why we are discussing the...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: An Dara Céim - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Mar 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I will be as brief as possible. This has been a very respectful debate in this House on all sides, as people have voiced their very strong views on what is a very sensitive, emotive and human matter. I acknowledge all colleagues who have given their views, whatever side of the argument on which they lie. I will give a very personal view and I speak as a father, a husband and a brother. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jan 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Leader back to the Chamber as a married man. I wish him and his husband Conchobhar the very best for their future together. Ireland had, and still has, a lot to be proud of but our past shows there are a lot of shameful chapters about which we should be embarrassed and by which we should be shamed. During public discussion and discourse in recent years, we have heard about...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Paudie Coffey: I, too, welcome our esteemed guests to Ireland. Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation and its extension by one year to enable it to investigate 14 former homes. I agree with the Senator that there is a lot of concern with regard to the victims and those who have suffered. The extension is being provided to enable indepth engagement with...

Down's Syndrome (Equality of Access) Bill 2013: Second Stage (7 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I commend Deputy Finian McGrath on his work on this issue and on the introduction of this Bill. I remind Members that there are advocates in government for disabilities, including Down's syndrome. I include myself and other colleagues in that regard. This Bill provides us with the opportunity to state that publicly. It is...

Dáil Reform: Statements (2 Jun 2011)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on Dáil reform, especially as a new Deputy. We all recognise that Dáil Éireann is a reflection of Irish society and every Member elected to this House is charged with electoral responsibilities to reflect the views of those we represent, but also to make decisions in the interests of the greater good of this country. As a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Paudie Coffey: ...authorities have for developments cannot be drawn down until a permission expires. That has a serious impact on the taking in charge of estates. For example, if 80% of an estate is completed and residents are trying to put pressure on the local authority to enforce the conditions of the permission where the deadline for the permission is almost up, the local authority can put pressure on...

Seanad: Education Matters: Statements (10 Feb 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister and the debate on his very important portfolio, education. We should never underestimate the potential of education for children and adults, and I am sure the Minister does not do so. I will not quote reports but will refer to real-life experiences I have had as a pupil and a parent. I am chairperson of a board of management of a national school and am a former...