Results 221-240 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Michael Brennan: I am not asking for that, I can elaborate later.

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Seanad for a very fine debate. I have said many times since I took on this job that listening to public representatives on this subject is what it is all about. Members in their daily lives, between clinics and meeting so many groups constantly around the clock, know what is going on. They know how an amendment, change or allowance will affect the family. I appreciate that, which...

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Michael Brennan: I second the motion. I welcome the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, and her officials to the House. Agriculture is in a place in the broader political agenda today where it has not been seen for many years. This is due to the challenges that have arisen in the sector, the CAP reform, decoupling of payments, avian flu, the beef industry, the nitrates directive, biofuels and...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 Mar 2006)

Michael Brennan: As a former Minister for Education and Science, I understand the points being made by the Senator. On behalf of the Minister for Education and Science I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the strategy of the Department of Education and Science for capital investment in education projects, and also to outline the action planned to...

Seanad: School Meals Programme. (29 Mar 2006)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Tuffy for raising this issue and appreciate her sincere approach to the matter. The school meals programme operated by the Department provides funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes. The first is the long-standing statutory urban school meals scheme which is currently operated by 36 local authorities. The Department...

Seanad: Child Care Services. (6 Apr 2006)

Michael Brennan: I wish to share time with Senator Finucane, if that is agreeable.

Seanad: Child Care Services. (6 Apr 2006)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him on his new responsibilities as regards the child care programme and his recent allocation of €12 million for 62 new projects as well as the inclusion of €575 million in the 2006-10 national child care investment programme. The total funding committed to the previous scheme, the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP,...

Seanad: Child Care Services. (6 Apr 2006)

Michael Brennan: The Minister of State stated that it is open to groups to appeal through Pobal and to agree revised plans in the not too distant future. Will he elaborate on this point? Does he speak in terms of size or in terms of phase 1 or 2 of the project?

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State to this House. My party colleague, Senator Dardis, outlined our views on waste management. I commend the Government on the progress made towards ending the discharge of untreated sewage from cities and towns, providing projects for secondary treatment and meeting the requirements of the urban waste water directive. This week, the Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Seanad for providing me with the opportunity to speak about the proposed reforms to the support arrangements for lone parents and low-income families. These proposals are the culmination of a year-long, comprehensive analysis and consultation process on the levels of social exclusion and risk of poverty faced by many lone parents and their children. They have been set out in a...

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: Births to teenagers make up 3% of the total.

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senators for a short but comprehensive debate. Most of the issues were raised on the floor of the House. I appreciate hearing them and will take them on board. Having had this debate there may be an opportunity for a similar debate in the Dáil. Following our forum, I propose to keep in touch with the lone parent associations as we develop legislation. During the course of the year I...

Seanad: Local Authority Operations: Motion. (24 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: I second the motion. As Senator Dardis has set out the issues mentioned in the motion at length, I intend to dedicate my time to the specific subject of large development levies and special development levies imposed by local authorities. I wish to make clear the Progressive Democrats' view that planning authorities should ensure that developers make an appropriate contribution towards the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Michael Brennan: I second Senator Morrissey's proposal regarding No. 7, the Defence of Life and Property Bill 2006. I agree that householders should not be penalised for acts of self-defence carried out on their own property. Over the past 12 months all sides of the House have welcomed the €5.1 billion water services investment programme. I call on the Acting Leader to invite the Minister for the...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Michael Brennan: I second the amendment. The subject of the motion, like many of those before us in recent weeks, reflects a source of genuine anxiety and concern among the public, not just among first-time buyers but also their parents and families, and among the many people coming to live in our country. The Labour Party motion is welcome in that it provides an opportunity to discuss this serious topic. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Michael Brennan: Recently, much has been said about the importance of the national census. Will the Leader discuss with the appropriate authorities the issue of the non-return of 300,000 forms where enumerators could not gain admittance to households or collect forms? What action has been proposed regarding the missing data?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael Brennan: In this historic week I call on the Leader to congratulate the Government and President Mary McAleese for an extension of the centenarians bounty to people living outside this country. The first emigrant to benefit from such an extension of the scheme is Ms Mary Kelly, who was born in Askeaton, County Limerick and resides in New York. She is one of 30 applicants who will receive this payment...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael Brennan: I, too, welcome the passing of the legislation and offer our sincere thanks to the Minister, his officials and all personnel in this Chamber.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael Brennan: It is great to see Members of all parties and none give their co-operation and strength to the Minister in the legislation he has brought before this House. It is great to see the high esteem in which the Minister is held by all Members of this House. We thank him sincerely for this legislation and wish him well for the future.

Seanad: Company Closures (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Finucane for sharing his time on this matter. He has given a detailed explanation of the situation pertaining to Castlemahon Foods and pointed out that the company has been a major employer for the past 50 years in an area heavily dependent on agriculture. I join my colleague in asking the Minister of State to offer every assistance at his disposal in safeguarding the jobs...