Results 2,101-2,120 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Death of Former President: Expressions of Sympathy (15 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words, as Senator O'Malley has done, about the private person rather than about Dr Hillery's wonderful record of statesmanship. He was a neighbour of mine for many years, as was his wife, Maeve. His children, particularly Vivienne, played in the pony club with our children. He was also a member of the same golf club as myself and on many occasions...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Will the Leader arrange a debate on the number of universities we should have in this country? It obviously is our objective to take a leadership role in the knowledge society in the future. Until now the only voices we have heard in this regard have come from particular institutes of technology, which I am sure are very worthy. Waterford, Dublin and Cork institutes of technology are...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed). (8 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I also welcome the delegation from Algeria with whom I have had the opportunity to join today. Je souhaite la bienvenue aux membres de la délégation algérienne. C'est la première fois qu'ils nous rendent visite ici. Je veux souhaiter la bienvenue À tout le monde. This is a useful debate and I am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, is present. I have found the debate of...

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed). (8 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Whatever about that issue, I am more concerned that there is an agreement around Europe not to raise anything contentious until after our referendum because it might upset us.

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed). (8 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Maybe so. The reason for this reform treaty — there is little doubt it came from the Laeken Declaration originally — and for the constitutional change is efficiency. Therefore, I have examined it to see if there are efficiencies, and some of them make a great deal of sense. I want the Minister of State to respond to this later. Ms Patricia McKenna made two points that I have not heard...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament (8 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I have been asked by my Independent colleagues to represent them here today. I am a member of the Independent group on the National Forum for Europe, to which the President referred, and of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs. I am also chairman of EuroCommerce, based in Brussels, which represents retail, wholesale and international trade. I thank my colleagues for asking me...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament (8 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Belgium and France.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: It certainly is.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I was not allowed to discuss the Schengen travel area yesterday in the debate on the Passports Bill because that was not the correct forum, but we should debate it. We need to re-examine our relationship with the Schengen area, which comprises 24 countries, because we have attached ourselves to only one. While that may have been the correct thing to do in 1990, since then the British have...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I am told I am correct.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: This section concerns emergency travel facilities. One reason we need them more than other countries is because we have refused to sign up to the Schengen Agreement. Twenty-four other countries have done so. I urge the Minister of State to consider seriously the manner in which we can approach this issue. Both Ireland and the United Kingdom did not sign up to the original Schengen...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: My amendment on this matter, which I was told by the Chairman was not allowed, was to suggest we should establish an independent commission to report, in the coming year, on the benefits and disadvantages of our signing up to the Schengen Agreement and removing our link with Britain. The land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic will not be affected in that it seems the British...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I never used the word "mainland".

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: While I understand what the Minister of State said, the matter is worthy of discussion in a passport Bill. It may not be the correct place where I attempted to insert it.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I accept entirely the Acting Chairman's ruling. That is a ruling on setting up a commission, as I had suggested in the amendment that has been refused. We should find in this Bill the opportunity to discuss the question of the Schengen Agreement. It is worthy of discussion in a passport Bill. Whether it happens at this stage or not, I will take the Acting Chairman's point.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I will continue to attempt to find one.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I listened very carefully to Senator White and must agree there is clearly an issue in this regard. His example of what happens is perfect, whatever about the example of going on holidays provided by Senator Ormonde. We have had a tradition of giving diplomatic passports to former Ministers and judges of the Supreme and High Courts, and I understand their need for them. Does the provision...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I will probably repeat the same question. I am fascinated by this matter and was not aware of the implications. In respect of somebody coming to Ireland with a diplomatic passport, would we recognise them as having some particular advantage, as Senator Ormonde has said? If someone who had a diplomatic passport ceased to hold that office for which the passport was used but continued to use...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I am impressed. I introduced a passport Bill here some years ago which was aimed at avoiding the implication of the passports for sale controversy. From what the Minister of State has said, I have just realised that perhaps there are benefits in having a diplomatic passport and how they can be issued. I believe the Minister of State mentioned $60. I find the debate enlightening.