Results 3,061-3,080 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: On that basis, I am happy to withdraw the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister. There is a seanfhocal he might remember from his school days which states: "Éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú bradán" - "Listen to the sound of the river and you will catch a salmon." With this Bill the Minister has shown us that he has listened to us, but as a whole, Ireland needs to hear the message that if we are to attract others to come...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is most welcome. It was good to hear the good news that the Government had to give, particularly on the unemployment figures. The rate of unemployment has come down from 15.1% in early 2012 to 10.7%, which is particularly good when compared to the recent unemployment figure in Spain of 24.4%. Senator Paschal Mooney raised the issue of the rate of child benefit that...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House. The system in China used to be that the doctor was paid only for keeping a person well, but not when a person took ill or went into hospital. I think that is a lovely incentive. Perhaps we should to try to do something like that with insurance. I agree with the Minister that investing in health insurance is like investing in a pension. Some of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Bacik mentioned the Low Pay Commission which must make decisions shortly, on 12 January, I think. We keep hearing calls to make sure the minimum wage is maintained or increased. There is a definite link between the minimum wage and unemployment. We have the second highest minimum wage in Europe but we ended up with a very high unemployment rate, particularly among young people....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (16 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: At what time is that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (16 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (16 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Happy Christmas to the Chairman and her team.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: It is very hard to contribute today without paying attention to the banking inquiry. There is little doubt that the two previous speakers have drawn attention to the inquiry. Let us not focus on blaming the ECB for not sending somebody as the only purpose. A great deal can be achieved by the inquiry and the Seanad is well represented on it. I hope we will be able to achieve what we set...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (17 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I listened very carefully to the Minister and Senators Crown and Barrett and all have made strong cases. The one that wins is Senator Crown’s point about the equal playing field. There is a need for an equal playing field and we will not have that unless we go along with this amendment.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (17 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to add my voice to those of Senator John Crown and Senator Sean D. Barrett. I mentioned on Second Stage that I was aware of two large companies, one in the US and the other in South Africa, which have policies that their employees can influence, one of which is smoking. Therefore, they were able to give a reduction in their insurance charges for those people who ceased smoking....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I agree with Senator Leyden that the eyes of the people are on this House today. I congratulate the Leader on ensuring that we will have a full debate on the Water Services Bill and that it will not be foreshortened by the use of the guillotine. This is a worthy recognition of the important role the Seanad can play and I hope that the debate will be as useful as might be expected. Senator...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. It is particularly welcome that the legislation on this matter has been improved no end since last year. That is not to suggest this Bill is perfect. I accept the objectives of this Bill and what it seeks to achieve. I believe in water metering and conservation. Have we gone about this in the right way? I do not think so. The Minister has not up to now accepted...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: This situation was greatly improved when competition was introduced and thought was given to putting the customer first and how to generate business on that basis. In my opinion, address of the water conservation issue has not been well-thought out in this legislation. I have a large garden with a big lawn and I use a great deal of water in watering that lawn. I am not sure that I will...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister has in that regard set the example. I hope he can accept some Seanad amendments. I believe this House has a valuable role to play in the passage of this legislation. I believe also that democracy will be enhanced if the Minister can say today that he is willing to consider some legislative changes by way of acceptance tomorrow of some of the Seanad Committee Stage amendments....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Last night I voted with the Government. I found this difficult to do because I did not agree with everything, but I did it on the basis of an answer the Minister gave me when I spoke. I stated I would vote with the Government if he gave me an assurance he would listen to what happens in the House and take into account something he believes worthy of support. If it turns out he does not...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I made this point yesterday. I got an understanding from the Minister, as he nodded his head, that he would consider changes if he heard something. He may tell me he has found nothing. Senator Craughwell tabled an amendment which was not allowed, but Senator Byrne has found a way to allow the same thing to be achieved. This is an example of where the Minister can keep his word, which he...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I have some experience of customer panels - for about 40 years I spent almost every week of the year listening to customers talk, discuss, object and praise. I did not support the last amendment because there is a danger that any customer panel or forum can become a talking shop. If one appoints too many representatives to such a forum, they feel that they must represent their constituents...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Feargal Quinn: There are some occasions when those who are pro-flouride accuse those who are anti-fouride of scaremongering. I support this particular amendment because it provides that the forum will "review the use of flouride in the water supply" and "issue recommendations to Irish Water on the use of flouride in water". The amendment calls for a review and the issuing of recommendations, which is very...