Results 321-340 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Joe McHugh: People are being wrongly accused.

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is the first public opportunity I have had to congratulate him on his new post. It is nice to have a fellow County Donegal man in Government. I am also delighted with my party leader's stance on the marine on which he has provided a full brief on the Front Bench to Deputy Perry. The Fine Gael Party supports the Bill. It is sensible, logical,...

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator. The Fine Gael Party welcomes the Bill; it is non-contentious. We are discussing dumping at sea but we should put down a marker with regard to Sellafield. It is not related to this legislation but we should keep an eye on what is being dumped in Irish waters from Sellafield. We should be stronger on that issue. There are many concerned families in County Louth who have...

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Joe McHugh: It could be south-west Donegal.

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, and, somewhat belatedly, congratulate him on his new post. The Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, and himself must have been contemplating and working behind the scenes around this time last year.

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I wish to make a few points on sports capital projects in County Donegal. When Deputy McDaid was Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation he delivered, which I acknowledge. The people of County Donegal will always acknowledge that during his tenure as Minister, they did well in getting a substantial amount of funding for voluntary organisations at grassroots level ranging from snooker clubs...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: The GAA is quite capable of looking after its own shop and should not be interfered with. In time, matters will evolve. Mr. Kelly even put it on record that in time we will be looking at a situation in which Croke Park will be open to other sports. I asked the GAA president about the proposed stadium in Northern Ireland currently being mooted. It is important that we remain closely involved...

Seanad: Cancer Treatment Services. (3 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I have been approached by relatives of cancer patients in Letterkenny and relatives of people who have since passed away. The oncology unit in Letterkenny General Hospital is second to none. There is a dedicated, professional team in place there under the stewardship of Dr. Karen Duffy and Mr. Chris Lyons. However, there is a problem with regard to the fast-tracking of cancer patients for...

Seanad: Public Private Partnerships: Statements (Resumed). (17 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I concur with Senator White that it is good to highlight a success story such as that whereby a public private partnership was sorted out within 18 months. Fine Gael believes the public private partnership system is the way forward. The Senator referred to a figure of €51 million but the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, beat that record by...

Seanad: Public Private Partnerships: Statements (Resumed). (17 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: While it is a separate jurisdiction, Senator Mansergh has been working very hard regarding it. We are spending considerable money on cross-Border bodies and ministerial councils. Any dummy can spend money. The €50 million, which the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, spent in such a short time, would have been better spent if it had been given...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I agree with my colleague, Deputy Brian Hayes, on the issue of the smoking ban. It is appropriate to the Border counties where business has been affected given that the smoking ban operates on the southern side and not on the northern side. Given the importance of maintaining the momentum of the peace process the uniformity of the smoking ban needs to be addressed. I agree with my colleagues,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: Senator Quinn raised the issue of tourism. In the first week of February this year it was impossible to get a car parking space at the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim because of the number of British, European and American tourists. However, in Donegal, just 45 minutes away from the Giant's Causeway via the Magilligan ferry, there were only empty car parks throughout the month of July in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: There has been a varied debate this morning covering both the international and the parochial. I will stick to parochial matters and County Donegal, as I always do. There are disturbing reasons for that. At 10%, Donegal still has the highest rate of unemployment in the country and continues to suffer as a result of false promises on the part of the Government. Donegal town was promised 230...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: Donegal has been let down on far too many occasions.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Service. (25 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: At 6.27 a.m. last Sunday morning, a crab boat with four crew members on board got into difficulties in Mulroy Bay in County Donegal. The coastguard units from Mulroy and Buncrana responded immediately to the boat's distress signal by heading for it to help the crew. By the time the Buncrana coastguard unit arrived at the scene of the incident, the crab boat was gone. The four crew men had...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Service. (25 Nov 2004)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State, whom I know to be a reasonable man, having known him for almost two years. Perhaps he might use his expertise and common sense in getting in touch with the Department to support the decision of the area officer last Sunday morning. It was a moral dilemma, and I believe that he made the right decision in taking out a boat that was not fully commissioned. Four...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Next Wednesday we will be meeting representatives of the Vintners Federation of Ireland. The vintners will be offering us challenges and——

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Unfortunately, the meeting is during Seanad sitting hours so we cannot partake. As a result of the smoking ban and the increase in drinking in the home, a social and health challenge regarding smoking in the home has arisen. Those who originally went to the pub for a drink and a smoke are now smoking at home in front of their children. They are not out doing press ups and sit ups, they did...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The blanket ban was a good idea but it still presents challenges and we must meet them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: On a point of clarification, I raised an important issue as regards young children being subjected to cigarette smoke in the home. They do not have a choice. It is a serious matter as regards health and I do not think it deserves such a condescending reply. I take offence to that, on behalf of children——