Results 2,121-2,140 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Democracy is a great thing. It is interesting to observe what is happening in France, where both a parliamentary election and a presidential election are taking place this year. The range of proposals, suggestions, comments and criticisms that are coming though are very interesting. Without wishing to encroach on the remit of my colleague, Senator Crown, I was fascinated by some of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: During the week there were reports on the Government selling Aer Lingus. Even considering its sale would be dangerous. The carrot is that we will maintain the slots at Heathrow Airport, but this is not a tin pot country that will put up with being told to remove ownership of the airline from Irish hands. Ryanair is a commercial concern. What would happen if we were to need a national...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Mooney in his request to the Leader to remind the Minister of Health, when he comes before the House next week, that we would like to be able to talk about generic drugs. If he has the report in his possession and is able to answer questions on it, that would be of huge benefit. I am stunned at what Senator Mooney reminded us of, namely the huge difference in cost between...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is most welcome, as are his words, particularly his stated objective to ensure that Irish water is best in class, a term I like a lot. I recorded an interview for RTE recently and was asked by Fingal authorities what I thought of its water quality. I said we always drank it and had never had any problem with it. I live in Howth. We had to stop because it turned out...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister, without interruption.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I do not know why the Opposition amendment was tabled. There is no need for an amendment to this motion, which Senator Mary Ann O'Brien drafted so effectively. It stands on its own and it should be supported. In the 19 years I have been a Member of this House, I have invariably found that Governments felt they had to introduce amendments which start with "delete all words after". I...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: We live in a very competitive world. If we are to solve the serious problems facing this country, we will have to take action in those areas in which we are insufficiently competitive. Figures published in recent days by the World Bank show we are the tenth best country in which to do business. We may well feel proud of that, but the reality is that there are nine countries ahead of us....

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Senators Bacik and O'Brien asked if there will be a need for a referendum on the fiscal compact. Whether or not one is required the decision in that regard needs to be made as quickly as possible and we need to ensure we get it right. I believe the objective in Europe is to create a Europe that is attractive to industry and for jobs. Let us ensure we work towards that with the same...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Amendment No. 2 has been ruled out of order because it involves a charge on the Exchequer. Amendment No. 4 is an alternative to amendment No. 3 and amendment No. 5 is an alternative to amendment No. 4. Therefore, amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister has explained that well. It seems to me that in that situation, where there is a question of consultation or agreement, to say there must be 100% agreement before a particular step can be taken is unrealistic, as 100% agreement is seldom obtained. There is always somebody who is out of line. The Minister has explained it very well and I support his view.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Mullen's comments. It may seem that I am contradicting my comments on the need for 100% agreement, but there is a difference between boards of management and individuals. It is difficult to reach agreement with individuals, in that one among a large number will invariably disagree. If we give individuals the right of veto, operating the system would be impossible....

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: With the agreement of the House I will share my time with Senator Crown.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I will be as short as I can. I think everything has been said. I welcome the debate. This topic needs to be debated and this is a good opportunity to do so. We have not debated things in this way on all occasions in the past. We have closed our minds on many occasions. There has not been a debate about nuclear energy and we should have that debate before we make decisions. There should...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Jim Walsh's plea, although I am not sure it needs much support as he has made a strong case and explained very well the difference between a pastoral visit from the Pope and an official State visit. The point made was that the official state visit was so successful in Britain only last year, we should be able to achieve the same success here. I am sure our parents told us...

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Tánaiste is very welcome. I would like to mention the case of an Irishwoman whose husband has been in jail in Sri Lanka for some years. The Tánaiste has the details of the case. The woman in question lives in Ireland with the couple's two children. We have not been able to bring attention to the matter. I urge the Tánaiste to see what he can do about it. He has the details...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister for Health recently appointed a new head of the organ donation and procurement office. What has happened to the Bill that was drawn up to deal with the question of whether it should be possible to increase the number of organ donations in this country? The debate on the Bill in this House was adjourned almost three years ago to facilitate public consultation on the matter....

Seanad: EU Fiscal Compact Treaty: Statements, Questions and Answers (7 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. In the course of her speech she states: It is not an austerity treaty, as some voices in these Houses and beyond have claimed spuriously. The treaty states nothing at all about how tax should be raised or about how much tax each member state should raise, We have run our economy, very successfully over a long number of years, until very recently...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report Stage (7 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, to delete line 19. I do not propose to continue the debate we had on Committee Stage on this issue. I note Senator Mullen has arrived.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Report Stage (7 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I second the amendment.