Results 381-400 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Motion. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: That was acknowledged by the Minister of State. A plethora of challenges lie ahead on marine issues. Inland fisheries will become a major issue in Donegal. Approaches have been made to the Minister of State in this regard. The issue does not centre on whether drift net fishing is abolished. It is all about balance because there are no simple solutions to fisheries issues.

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Motion. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The issue is on the table for local authorities to address. Will the local authorities and BIM draft a tourism framework for inland fisheries while disregarding the views of angling clubs? Anglers in Donegal are fed up because they were disenfranchised during the consultation process. I am flagging this issue, about which there are rumblings. Hopefully, it will not result in a scenario...

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Motion. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Everybody involved must be consulted, including game anglers and commercial fishermen. Fishermen are responsible people. They are the custodians of the sea in the same way farmers are the custodians of the countryside and they will not be found wanting when it comes to conservation of ecosystems and fish stocks. Fine Gael wants to flag that it supports the marine sector. As Senator Feighan...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the call for a debate on this issue of knives. It is important to note that young gardaí who deal with junkies on a daily basis in Dublin do not have the simple provision of a protective vest. Such provision would represent a simple solution to their needs. They find themselves in volatile situations and the provision of a simple protective vest would be a start in dealing with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: And every Donegal woman.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: A recent report identified Irish teenagers, as a group, as having the highest intake of alcohol across the European Union. We have debated this matter previously and attempted to come up with solutions. It is frightening to think that teenagers are drinking to this sort of excess. The Garda, parents of teenagers and health service providers will spend Christmas worrying about this alarming...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: That is a red card.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister to the House and I congratulate him on his new portfolio. I welcome his comments made on his appointment that he would have a more caring approach to social welfare. I hope that can be backed up with action. I have no doubt the Minister will deliver. Every year the public is faced with many changes following the budget. The usual hit list includes increases in pensions...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I would like to raise an issue regarding Scoil Mhuire in Dristernan. Looking at the name of the place, one would be tempted to pronounce it with the stress on the second vowel, but the proper pronunciation near Gleneely in north Inishowen rhymes with "Tristran". This issue was brought to my attention by a colleague of mine, Councillor Bernard McGuinness of north Inishowen.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and concur with his remark. The councillor is certainly working on the ground and knows the local issues, one of which is this national school which has sought very basic improvements to the standards of facilities and infrastructure for the past 20 years. To be honest, the board of management and staff may have sat back, waited and hoped that it would happen...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I wish to be associated with the remarks of Senator Mansergh regarding voluntarism in the context of the coast and cliff rescue and emergency services. As an island nation we rely heavily on voluntarism. Senator Lydon and I raised the issue of roaming charges last week. I am delighted that after our strong representations O2 has decided to refund roaming fees charged over the past six months....

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I congratulate Senator Lydon and, without being too smug, I congratulate myself as well.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: That is agreed.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Like my colleagues on this side of the House I have major concerns about the fast-tracking of this important Bill. By not giving it enough time issues will be missed and there can be grey areas that need to be addressed. On the political debate surrounding what Senator Feighan called mea culpa, or the question of who is to blame, it is easy for the other side of the House to go back to 1976...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 12b: In page 5, after line 33, to insert the following new section: "3.—The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of this legislation on patients in Community Units who are admitted for acute medical illness or rehabilitation, e. g. minor stroke or fractured femur where...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Senator Browne might not remember Scalextric.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The Minister of State may be commended among his electoral base in Kildare for being the man to put legislation through in a fast and effective way, but yesterday and today are sad days for democracy. One cannot put such sensitive legislation, which will affect the daily lives of a vulnerable group of people, through both Houses with such speed. The irony of today is that the Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: It is. I am building up to it. It is ironic that the Minister, Deputy McDowell, is on record as saying this is an excellent forum for putting legislation through. I wish to be clear about this amendment. There will be anomaly regarding the 30-day rule that will apply to elderly patients. I stressed this point on Second Stage, but the response I got did not address it. I will give a specific...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The Minister of State acknowledged that there is a need for extensive consultation in this regard. This is discrimination against the elderly, who are being treated differently from other members of society. I ask that the amendment be accepted.