Results 601-620 of 1,018,253 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:Jennifer Whitmore) in 'Committee meetings'

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

(Interruptions).

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: I ask the Deputy to withdraw the word "lie".

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Michael McDowell: I withdraw it.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Rabbitte: It is disappointing that the Minister, who was most active when on this side of the House for fair parliamentary conduct, has become the greatest abuser of it in office. Now, as we have 15 presidents of Europe, the Government has grown more remote from the people and Parliament and become more smug——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: The Deputy has made his point. Let us have a brief comment please.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Rabbitte: ——and disinterested in the image of this House outside. We have made our proposals to the Government Chief Whip. While these Ministers have outriders across the cities of Europe, they should think about the damage they are doing to the practice of democracy at home.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Deputies: Hear, hear.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Trevor Sargent: I remind the Ceann Comhairle that there is a further body of Dáil reform proposals from the Green Party. The constructive proposals of all the parties should be taken on board. The Government needs to sit down and work out the changes. One of the major flaws, which this incident demonstrates, is the freedom given to Ministers not just to roam geographically but to roam in their answers. They...

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I make a little correction of Deputy Rabbitte's earlier remark when he mentioned 15 presidents of the EU. He forgot to include the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, who last week declared himself the overall president. He is busy writing to us all.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: I ask the Deputy to be brief.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: From watching proceedings this afternoon, nothing is more evident than the need for Dáil reform. This type of proceeding has been replicated time and again. No real substantive business has been addressed for a considerable period. We are toing and froing in this constant drama, which amounts to nothing at the end of the day.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: Just a brief comment would be appropriate.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Conor Lenihan: If the Deputy could be less long-winded it would help.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: There is no substance to it. We need to see Dáil reform brought forward urgently, and we will all participate in that. That is what needs to be done and I hope the Taoiseach will facilitate it at the earliest opportunity.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I will comment on just two points. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, made it clear that he sought to change his rota last week but it was not possible to do so.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Paul Connaughton Snr: Why was it not possible?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: He did not do other than report the figures as they should have been reported. It was done properly and correctly. He did not seek to give misleading information. The Minister had to attend an important meeting which made it impossible for him to be here. We have had many debates and suggestions in this House on the matter of Dáil reform. Some years ago when Deputy Brennan presented a...

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bernard Allen: The Taoiseach skived off on Thursdays.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: Allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I still await meaningful discussion. The Government, through the Government Whip, would be glad to involve itself in real reform.