Results 321-340 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Brian Hayes's request for the Minister to come to this House to answer questions on electronic voting. I am fully in favour of electronic voting because anyone who goes through a close count will be aware of the emotion and anguish one's family and supporters experience. I will tell the Minister that it is very infuriating to find returning officers not franking ballot...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State responded to a recent Adjournment debate on the radiotherapy service and the expert review report and stated that distance to travel for treatment ranked 13th in order of priorities for patients. The expert review group commissioned a study on this matter, but it is a flawed document and I want to correct it. Most of the survey was carried out in Cork and Dublin where...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I second Senator Brian Hayes's proposal. When the Hanly report was announced originally, at least Senator Leyden said it should be binned. It is interesting to note that the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, announced last night in reference to local hospitals that he supported the Hanly report's recommendations vis-à-vis Nenagh hospital. Therefore, Senator Leyden's comments may...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: He has more money for horses than humans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Leader must read the newspapers. Does she not read The Irish Times?

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, subsection (1), line 14, after "funds" to insert "of which a minimum of two-thirds is dedicated for the community media sector.". On Second Stage I spoke about the importance of community radio and the need to develop it. I also referred to the start-up costs involved in many cases. If we are to develop community bases, whether it is in radio or television,...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I understand the Minister's point about ring-fencing a certain portion of the fund. Regarding Senator Quinn's point, I was giving a rural example as I come from a rural location which makes me cognisant of the rural scene. I have also been lobbied on the urban scene. Regardless of whether community radio or television is urban or rural, I want to ensure it gets off the ground and survives...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I respect the Minister's sterling defence of the Civil Service. I said that if the Department's senior head of the broadcasting division had reservations about 5% of funding going towards the Bill and if RTE had similar reservations, one is inclined to be doubtful about the spirit and intent of this regarding community radio and television. The Minister elaborated on this in the same way as...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the assurances given by the Minister and Senator Mooney. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I will be very brief. I propose the new subsection on the theme on which I had been talking a great deal, namely, the concept of community radio and television. I felt, on the basis of the Minister's reassurance, that good proposals from community radio and television would be considered. If those subparagraphs referring to "contemporary community culture" and "current dimensions of community...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: An Post is projecting a negative image by being involved in the television licence issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator is welcome back to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday, I requested that the Minister come to the House to answer questions on the Irish Prison Service. I have read in a newspaper a statement from the Prison Officers Association that more than 600 prisoners are on the run. They have absconded from open prisons, failed to return from temporary release, left hospitals, left their escorts or escaped in a number of other ways. Is this true?...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: Senator Leyden should tell us about Hanly à la carte.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: Who has taken Senator Leyden's place?

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator's point is important. These ships will finish up in Hartlepool in England, which is about 250 miles from our coastline. If we wanted proof of the type of gale force winds that have been experienced in recent times, we need only listen to the master of the Jeanie Johnston, who said his journey was troubled by force 10 winds. The ships mentioned by Senator Daly are coming from the...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: Nobody is disputing the provisions that exist in previous legislation or our preparedness for emergencies. Regardless of our plans, however, it has been ceded in the past that we do not have vessels suitable for towing away a vessel that is in distress. We can stall matters with regard to our marine research vessels. I am sure Senator Daly is wondering, as I am, what right these vessels have...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I respect what has been done by officialdom and there has been an awareness of its actions while watching what was happening on television and reading about it. I also respect what the Minister is doing. He has been vocal in his opposition. When European Union protocols are being introduced with regard to this, the argument should be made in the Commission that it is not right for a country...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I might have missed it earlier but what is the definition—

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I presume I can ask what is the difference between "Irish ship" and "relevant Irish ship".