Results 181-200 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: While the decision is welcome, it is likely that amendments will flow from it next week. Members may have heard an interview on radio this morning with a representative of the One in Four organisation in which he expressed concerns that private citizens may not have access to information and data which would enable them make claims under the residential redress legislation. The Education...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: It is a lovely blouse. It looks very nice on the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I wondered if the Leader had Rooster Booster in mind. Is the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, still going?

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: Much attention is focused on the Iraqi conflict and whether Ireland is a neutral country. Many consider that an à la carte approach to neutrality is evolving. In that context and recognising the dimension of neutrality and the way Ireland's status in European and world affairs has changed dramatically, I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on neutrality.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: Castlepollard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: I have raised the absence of radiotherapy services in the mid-west region on previous occasions and my colleague, Senator Cummins, has also raised the issue in connection with Waterford. Only 16% of Irish cancer patients receive radiotherapy, while in the EU the average is 66%. A march was held on Saturday at which people expressed their concerns about this issue. I have inquired on many...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator should have tea with the Leader.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: This Bill should be put in context. It provides for an increase of 12%, an increase introduced by stealth after the Budget Statement had been made and Members had gone home for the Christmas recess. Suddenly there was an announcement in the newspapers that motor tax was to be increased by 12% across the board. I often wonder if the Government, in imposing increases, ever takes account of the...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: Let us be honest about them. I could take the Senator on a tour of west Limerick along roads which are in poor condition. Some have been improved but we must remember the sale of the century in 1977 when road tax was abolished and a nominal registration fee introduced. That is what happened and the people bought it; the person with a Honda 50 motorcycle went out to vote for Fianna Fáil at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Taoiseach is away with the seven dwarfs.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: I support the suggestion of Senator Maurice Hayes that some mechanism should be found to arrange whatever legal funding is required for Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin now that the Minister for Finance, supported by the Cabinet, has decided not to fund such costs. Any of us could face such a situation in the future. This decision is shocking, particularly when one bears in mind that they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: Are you all right, a Chathaoirligh? Are you infected?

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: I wish to share my time with Senator Ross. Acting Chairman (Mr. Finucane): That is agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: They are Ministers for the good times, not the bad. They cannot hack it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: As Acting Chairman yesterday I was fortunate to listen to the debate on Iraq. The refreshing contributions of Senators reflected the diversity of thinking on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: I was reminded of Shakespeare's words, "Me thinks he doth protest too much." On a different note, the Leader may recall that on a previous occasion I mentioned the special savings investment scheme. I recognise that many people who participated in that scheme took a gamble because it was linked to shares or unit trusts. I am concerned about those people because the financial situation has...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: Coming from the mid-west, I welcome the recent decision of the Supreme Court to turn down the request from the killers of Jerry McCabe to be freed. I also appreciate the efforts of the Garda in attempting to tidy up a difficult situation in Limerick recently. I am thankful for the resources provided to try to achieve that laudable objective. Several incidents in the Limerick area have not...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: A clear commitment was made to providing an extra 2,000 gardaí but what is happening? The retirement age for gardaí is 57 years but many retire at 50, 51 or 52 after 30 years' service. There is a consequential brain drain from the Garda of experienced officers. Many are leaving out of sheer frustration with the work.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: He has another few years in which to record such achievements. I look forward to seeing how he goes about it. I applaud the former Minister for Justice, Nora Owen, who set up the Criminal Assets Bureau, a body the Minister praised as an international model in this area.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Michael Finucane: During Nora Owen's period in office if a person went missing while on parole, Deputies O'Donoghue and O'Donnell automatically rushed to condemn her on radio. Had that process of vilification continued, the Minister would find himself being criticised in the media nearly every day.