Results 461-480 of 1,051,833 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Michael McGrath OR speaker:Seán Sherlock OR speaker:Darragh O'Brien)

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Denis Naughten: It is only a coincidence.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Confining it to that end of the evening is disrespectful to all that is involved in the issue to be addressed. It should have been given and can still be given, with the co-operation and agreement of the Taoiseach, prime time attention so that it can be properly aired before the public.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Government tries its best to avoid guillotining legislation, but at times Bills become urgent for different reasons. At present, there are a few Bills which have deadlines for being moved forward procedurally.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Denis Naughten: If they were published in time, there would be sufficient time for debate.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is not always possible to have them ready in advance; one must wait for certain developments. Some of the issues arise from court decisions and new legislation must be introduced.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: We can put it down to Government ineptitude in the first place.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Rory O'Hanlon: Sorry, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, Deputy Ó Caoláin spoke on behalf of the Sinn Féin party.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill, which is before the House, arises from the report of the independent Laffan commission. Everybody knows the result of the commission report. As far as I can recall, we have never amended a commission report. We can discuss it if we wish, but it will not change it.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Rabbitte: We can stay at home and the Taoiseach can rubber-stamp it.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: This work was given to the independent commission precisely because of the view that politicians should not do it. We can discuss it. We can say Clare should be in Leinster and discuss it all night but Clare——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: You just moved it into Connacht.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

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

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The commission's report has decided that Clare is in Connacht. We can discuss it and it should be an interesting discussion, but when the Bill is passed Clare will still be where it is.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Rabbitte: There is certainly no challenging that.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

(Interruptions).

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

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

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Rabbitte or anybody else wants another hour to discuss the commission report, we should be honest about it. We may say with great solemnity that this denigrates Parliament, but Parliament gave the power to the independent commission to decide on this issue, which it has done. I do not know why we discuss it because, whether it is an hour later or earlier, it is agreed.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Rabbitte: On that basis we do not need to attend, and it is not just the commission report——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The commission has reported. The matter is at an end.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

(Interruptions).