Results 221-240 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: It is a specific one to one disagreement the Minister has with the Senator.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: In fairness, I did not rudely interrupt the Minister. I just asked when we would have statements on CLÁR.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: A Chathaoirligh, that is a serious allegation against a democratically elected Member of this House.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Is that a vote of no confidence in the councillors?

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: I did not intend to come in here today to be caught in political crossfire but unfortunately that is what happened. If there are issues to be addressed it is best to address them on a one to one basis rather than use this House as a mechanism to do that because it does nothing but degrade the House. If any comment is to be retracted it should be the one made by the Minister about a gentleman...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: I tried to interrupt the Minister a few times as Senator Burke was not here to defend himself. He is here now, however, and he will defend himself when he gets an opportunity. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has a big job because his ministerial portfolio has no teeth in terms of reversing the lack of investment in rural areas. His mindset in regard to depopulation is...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: ——involving the rationalisation of community groups and because he is trying to amalgamate services. A whole re-negotiation and restructuring process is going on in that sector. Second, the Minister said that €7,500 would be allocated to schools in rural areas but where was his Department last summer when a little school in Doaghbeg, Portsalon, Fanad was on the brink of being closed...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Doaghbeg is a microcosm of rural life. It is a rural area disaffected by depopulation, brain drain and the movement of people to urban centres. If the Department had any teeth it would have no problem keeping a school like that open and encouraging investment in the area. There are people living in continental Europe, America and even other parts of Ireland, from Letterkenny to Dublin, who...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: This is not true in my area of Milford in County Donegal. The water and sewerage schemes and the roads programme should not be managed through the local authority. Putting €38,000 or €40,000 through the local authority is a waste of time and gets lost in the pool.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Why are the partnerships singing from the same hymn sheet as I am?

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: I gave the Minister credit for what has been done on the roads.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Why not, Minister?

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Why should community groups not look after group water schemes? Ultimately the ordinary people promote the scheme. There is no mechanism for the delivery of the Minister's plans for radio broadband in rural areas. There is talk about a seven-year plan under the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to have a scheme similar to a group water scheme. What proposals does the...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: While I have asked many questions of the Minister, no doubt he will respond by highlighting all the positive elements. Through what mechanism does the Minister propose to bring radio broadband into the rural hinterlands from Milford to Malin Head to the west of Donegal? The Minister told us nothing new today and merely attacked my good colleague here. Private companies are willing to get...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: We want to bring the people back into the rural areas. The Minister should withdraw his comment that Senator Ulick Burke does no service to politics.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Did it cost €20,000?

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: Was there £2,000 under CLÁR funding?

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: I was just seeking clarification.

Seanad: Report of National Advisory Committee on Drugs: Statements. (28 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his comprehensive contribution. The National Advisory Committee on Drugs has produced a report. I wish to refer specifically to the North Western Health Board and highlight the fact that it has the lowest rate of substance misuse in the country, North and South. That is welcome. In recent years the North Western Health Board has...

Seanad: Report of National Advisory Committee on Drugs: Statements. (28 Apr 2004)

Joe McHugh: A motion was tabled for the extension of the drugs court on a nationwide basis. It has worked in north Dublin and it should be extended to cities such as Limerick and Cork and to Athlone and Letterkenny and other parts of Dublin. The Minister of State may say that it is a pilot scheme but Judge Haughton has proved that the pilot model has worked. It should be extended on a nationwide basis....