Results 2,821-2,840 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that No. 11 be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Transparency of Boards) Bill 2014: First Stage (29 May 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the cessation of the practice of providing payment to persons who serve on the boards of public bodies or other similar entities; to require that the employment or engagement of such persons by a public body to be conditional upon their filing of a declaration with the Standards in Public Office Commission; and...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Transparency of Boards) Bill 2014: First Stage (29 May 2014)

Feargal Quinn: On Wednesday, 4 June 2014.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I support the appointment of Senator Sean D. Barrett to the committee on banking. There is little doubt in my mind that the House should be honoured to have individuals in it of the quality of Senators Sean D. Barrett and Marc MacSharry, either of whom could do this job.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I thought it had been decided.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: While I believe Senator MacSharry could also have a role to play, I welcome Senator Barrett's nomination. I was not aware that electricity in Ireland is 34% more expensive than in the UK. Of the 28 countries in Europe, Ireland is the fourth most expensive for electricity. Competing into the future is not going to be easy for Ireland. I understand that in her speech today the Queen will...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: A couple of years ago, I raised the matter here of an Irish citizen who had been imprisoned without trial in Sri Lanka. Great efforts have been made to find a solution and the great news is that he arrived home this week to his wife and three children. He has been in prison for seven years and his 24 year old, 20 year old, and 16 year old daughters had not seen him in that time. It is a...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I am happy to second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I support the call by Senator Mullins for a debate on Springboard. I attended the launch of Springboard yesterday. It is something in which I have been involved for a while. It is a great success and a wonderful story. It is aimed at people who have degrees but who are not able to use them. It may be somebody connected with the construction industry, for example, an architect, an...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State, Deputy Perry, who has just arrived, is very welcome. I commend Senator Zappone on introducing the Bill. This is very much a human rights issue but it also shows how we must examine legislation which might no longer be fit for purpose. I was in the House in 1993 when the legislation was introduced and at the time I thought it was an excellent Bill. As far as I was...

Seanad: Companies Bill 2012: Second Stage (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is very welcome. It was a delight to listen to the range of views expressed. As Senator Paul Coghlan said, there were 400 amendments in the other House. We will probably only have 200 or 300 amendments when the Minister comes back to us on Committee Stage. While I will propose a number of amendments on Committee Stage, I welcome the Government's efforts in this area....

Seanad: Companies Bill 2012: Second Stage (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Maybe so. There are a number of problems in this area, including the fact that a number of accountants have been expelled from professional bodies yet are still offering their services to the public. While there are strict standards within accountancy bodies, such as codes of practice, in essence they are voluntary. There are also people operating outside the system. Even someone with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I found the document very interesting. It dealt with a range of areas, including country-specific recommendations. To touch on the tax issue, it is almost like having one's maiden aunt visit one's house and criticise the furniture or the family. It commented on a list of things. One of them was tax and it referred to the fact VAT is zero rated compared to many other countries. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I am not thinking of any one in particular but I think we all have somebody outside the family-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: At least three different papers by renowned lawyers offered a different point of view. Given that lawyers are differing, it would be wise-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Be careful. She might be identified.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The problem of pyrite has cropped up again and a number of houses in Drogheda and elsewhere have had to be demolished as a result. Are the necessary building regulations being properly enforced, since pyrite continues to be a problem? I would like to think that something is being done in this respect. Can the Leader confirm that there are building regulations to stop this problem? Pyrite...

Seanad: Suspension of Standing Orders: Motion (11 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I am happy to second the motion.

Seanad: Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and the Bill he is presenting today. It is some years since I visited the treasure that is Johnstown Castle, but it is wonderful to see it being maintained and redeveloped for the benefit of the nation. I had one concern about these proposals, but the Minister has already put my mind at rest. This concern related to the prospect of changing the uses to which a...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Transparency of Boards) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister of State. It is the second time we have met this week and I am delighted to see him again on this basis. Being appointed to serve as a member of the board of a public body is, in many respects, an honour. Appointment on merit is an endorsement of the expertise of the person in his or her chosen field. People do not...