Results 121-140 of 303 for speaker:Noel Harrington in 'Dáil debates'

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Noel Harrington: I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on the Freedom of Information Bill 2013. As we are all aware, it seeks to reverse much of the regressive, sinister legislation that was introduced by the former Minister, Charlie McCreevy, in 2003 which restricted the 1997 legislation that had been introduced by the rainbow Government. It is interesting to note that, internationally, the very...

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Noel Harrington: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The main provision of this Bill is to allow the courts - not the Government, the Dáil or any Department - to attach a fine handed down to the convicted person's pay cheque. Typically, that should be a wage. It will also provide more accountability to the fines process. We have listened for years about how we continue to...

Hundredth Anniversary of 1913 Lock-out: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Jun 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the opportunity to speak and thank Deputy Higgins and the other signatories for putting down this motion. The 100th anniversary of the 1913 Lock-out is an appropriate opportunity to reflect on a tumultuous period in our history, which could be tied to many historic events, culminating with the end of hostilities in the Civil War in 1922. It could be argued that we still live with...

An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jun 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. Everyone is agreed across party lines and across society that the Seanad is broken. It is not democratic, it is elitist and it has problems. It has required work, decisions and reform throughout the decades. It required an overhaul almost every decade but it got none. Calls for reform got no response despite trying, speaking and...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)

Noel Harrington: Ridiculous.

Topical Issue Debate: Sale of Strategic Energy Assets (13 Jun 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Minister for his reply, in which his concern about this development showed through. I acknowledge the work Deputy Stanton has done on the east Cork facility at Whitegate and his continuing engagement with the management there. It is a very sensitive issue. We look forward to the publication of the report on the refining policy of the Government. I presume the report will be...

Topical Issue Debate: Sale of Strategic Energy Assets (13 Jun 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this issue for discussion and the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, for coming to the House to deal with it. Late last week Phillips 66, a subsidiary of Conocophillips, announced through Deutsche Bank its intention to put the Whiddy Island oil storage terminal and Whitegate Oil Refinery on the market. This has caused genuine concern among...

Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: I also welcome the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. With a budget of almost €21 billion per annum, reform of the social protection system should be an ongoing process. Given the amount of public funds involved, constant vigilance and progress are required. I welcome many of the provisions in the Bill, in particular the new...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality: Motion [Private Members] (28 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: Self-praise is no praise.

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: Is that a necessary role?

Ireland and the Eurozone: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: Looking at the signatories of the motion, one realises those who have been sceptical about the European Union and the eurozone have generally come from the extreme far left or extreme far right. The scepticism remains the same. The signatories makes strange bedfellows. While they can quote statistics and talk about processes, per capita income, etc., they should note that Irish income per...

Other Questions: Financial Instruments (21 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: Deputy Andrew Doyle is not in the Chamber as he is chairing a committee meeting. I thank the Minister for his response. The review of the markets and financial instruments directive is a very complex area. Speculation on food and other commodity derivative markets has significant repercussions not just for producers in Ireland and the European Union but also global consumers. The effect...

Fodder Crisis: Motion [Private Members] (7 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this motion. The crisis that hit our agricultural sector was extremely difficult for many farmers. It was clear that certain areas were particularly badly hit including parts of west Cork, north Cork, west Limerick, north Kerry and other counties. Equally, other areas were better insulated and did not feel the effects of the shortage until...

Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2013)

Noel Harrington: I welcome the Bill. It is interesting to note some of the differing views put forward by members of the Technical Group. I welcome Deputy Finian McGrath's support for the Bill. However, I am disappointed with those Members who have used this debate as an opportunity to attack the Government for not funding local government and roads infrastructure throughout rural Ireland. To be honest,...

Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (30 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Arcáin was below the designated number of eight for the retention of its second teacher on 30 September last, but this number has now increased to ten. This is why I ask the Minister of State to allow the enrolment figure on 30 April to be taken into account before the school would lose its second teacher. It...

Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (30 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to recognise the special position of primary schools on our offshore islands by extending the qualifying date for minimum enrolment from 30 September 2012 to 30 April 2013 so that some unique factors in island communities can be taken into account fully. I am not sure if the...

Public Sector Pay and Conditions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: I have to wonder what is the purpose of this motion given it is proposed by the last people in this House qualified to say anything credible about public servants and sustainable pay, conditions and work practices - those in Fianna Fáil. The hypocrisy, as I see it, is that the previous Government in dealing with any proposal surrounding public service pay and conditions simply...

Leaders' Questions (17 Apr 2013)

Noel Harrington: Does the Deputy want jobs?

Other Questions: Hospital Acquired Infections (20 Mar 2013)

Noel Harrington: To ask the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle MRSA in Mercy University Hospital, Cork; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14277/13]

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Noel Harrington: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2013. It is obviously not a pleasant experience to introduce property taxes and so forth but we must concentrate on the positive measures in the Bill. The SME sector has been spoken about a lot in this Chamber today and it will benefit from the Bill. We must take corrective measures because this Government inherited a country...