Results 3,221-3,240 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator (21 Sep 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome Mr. Verhofstadt. Those of us on the island of Ireland see that, once again, the British have shot themselves in our foot. We feel bad about that. I am Vice Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Most of the parliamentarians from Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and other jurisdictions are concerned about this situation and would like to see a change. Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator (21 Sep 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome Mr. Verhofstadt. Those of us on the island of Ireland see that, once again, the British have shot themselves in our foot. We feel bad about that. I am Vice Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Most of the parliamentarians from Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and other jurisdictions are concerned about this situation and would like to see a change. Mr....

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Statements (3 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to speak on a very important topic, the nursing home support scheme, commonly known as the fair deal scheme. Over the years my office and I have been helping many people to get around the complexities of the fair deal scheme. It is only when one has to avail of the scheme that one becomes aware of it as I did when my mother was in hospital and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Nursing Home Accommodation Provision (4 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I am glad to have the opportunity to raise this important issue again and I thank the Minister of State for giving of his time to be present. One of his predecessors, Ms Kathleen Lynch, announced one of the most comprehensive programmes of investment in public nursing home facilities in the history of the State. As part of this €400 million investment programme by the Government, 33...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Nursing Home Accommodation Provision (4 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am delighted our Government is fully committed to upgrading nursing homes across the country, including Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon, and St. Patrick's Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon. I remember during the last Government, we went through many hoops to get this investment on the table. It certainly reassures residents and their families...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Motion (4 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: This is my third time speaking in the Chamber since yesterday and I believe the Minister of State has also been in the Ceramics Room three times. I am sure he is becoming used to the surroundings in the Seanad's new home. I acknowledge the issues raised by Senator Freeman and sincerely thank her and Pieta House for the work they do. A new Pieta House centre will be launched in Athlone soon...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I commend the work of our Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, for his ongoing work with all the parties in trying to restore the political institutions in the North. I know this Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to ensure that all the institutions are working effectively, including a devolved Assembly and...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I am delighted to speak on this important matter. I welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad again. He has been in this Chamber five or six times in the past two weeks. It is always nice to see him coming in here. I take this opportunity to thank all the stakeholders, including Deputy James Browne, on his work in progressing mental health reform. Progress, while slower than originally...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: There is some depressing news coming out of Brussels this morning. Michel Barnier has said he does not intend to recommend to the EU leaders that the talks should move on to trade issues next week. This is a huge kick in the teeth for the island of Ireland. Mr. Barnier has also said the EU will not make concessions on the peace process, which is very welcome. Once again, we are...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: In reply to Senator Craughwell, I think he is the only Independent Member of this House ever to have been elected by the Government party. In the by-election in 2014, more Fine Gael members voted for Senator Craughwell than voted for our own candidate. I wish him well in his future endeavours. We were in Liverpool for the 55th plenary of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Without...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: And he is from our constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I would like to echo Senator Davitt's sentiments. It is a wonderful idea that the Pope could address the Houses of the Oireachtas if he comes to this country. We have been very successful in this Chamber. The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon from the Scottish Nationalist Party, addressed us recently and she was like a rock star. It sends out a signal from the Seanad that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Taoiseach's visit to France yesterday and the improving relationship between Ireland and France as a result of Brexit. We must examine all opportunities arising from Brexit. The Taoiseach stated he is seeking associated membership for Ireland of La Francophonie, a group of French-speaking countries similar to the Commonwealth. La Francophonie is a global organisation that...

Seanad: Situation in Catalonia: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, correctly stated that what happens in Catalonia in Spain matters to all of us. We know Spain well. Many of us and the people we represent have spent time living, working, studying or just on holiday in Spain, particularly in Barcelona, one of the great European city. How true that is. I live in the west of Ireland and Knock is my local airport. There...

Seanad: Situation in Catalonia: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I can share time with Senator O'Reilly, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus: Chairpersons Designate (25 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the witnesses. I come from Boyle in County Roscommon. When in Dublin I use public transport to get to work. Public transport has evolved down through the years. I admire the manner in which the company has embraced modern technology in terms of the introduction of the Leap card and Google maps application for public transport, which I use when I visit the cities. My first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus: Chairpersons Designate (25 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: Iarnród Éireann already does that. On the Sligo line it charges for parking at Sligo, Boyle and other stations and does not charge at Castlerea or Roscommon. It is a small point, but-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2017)

Frank Feighan: I do not normally commend the HSE, but on this occasion I wish to congratulate the executive on its awareness campaign for people, especially elderly people, to avail of the 'flu jab. A dangerous and difficult strain is out. Members were able to avail of the jab. This is something that we should articulate and pass on. It is vital for people to avail of the jab, especially elderly people...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (8 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I raise the matter of the need for the Minister for Health to explore the possibility of the HSE rolling out a nationwide sleep training programme to provide expertise to parents facing the challenges of getting their babies and young children to sleep. Some may think that this matter is not as pressing as some of the other problems...