Results 381-400 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate the response by the Minister of State. I did not ask to him to make history, as I know it is unlikely that such a big step as this would take place today. In his explanation, the Minister of State has drawn the attention of the House to the difficulties in the private and public sectors. I was impressed when he said that legislation will be introduced next Friday to the effect...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science to the House for a debate on education with regard to three aspects in particular. First, the Higher Education Authority advised the Government in the past month to introduce legislation to enable some universities to leave the State system and be privatised. The Government will have to consider this matter and a debate on the...

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Feargal Quinn: It is difficult to follow some people and certainly not easy to follow Senator Norris. I will try to squeeze a lot into my five minutes. I too congratulate the Competition Authority on its report. However, it is important to point out that the report deals with only one aspect of the problem. I wish to touch on four particular aspects of the report. Four interlocking factors apply to the high...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Feargal Quinn: In recent times in Britain there has been a proposal for random drug testing of school children. The reason is that figures in Britain suggest that 40% of children between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age take illegal drugs. The question of whether or not it is a good thing to have random drug testing in schools is currently being debated very strongly and seriously in Britain. I suggest it...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I would like to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. We have not had a Bill of this nature since 1924 and, on that basis, it is timely. When I entered this House ten years ago, I found myself looking at each Bill to see if I could view it from a different perspective. With Bills such as this, I found myself comparing their provisions to best business practice in normal industry. It is more than 20 years since I became...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: It would be lovely if he did not have to but, from my reading of the Bill, it appears that those types of matters are handled not by the Minister, but some section of his Department. I would be delighted if my mind could be put at rest in that regard. One can also get an idea of the extent of Government involvement when one looks at how appointments are made, an issue to which Senator Jim...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: That is good. Good management practice is what it should be about, to which I will come in a moment. My real concern is the balance between accountability and performance. We could have good accountability and we are moving in that direction because there is a need for it and for trust. However, it would be a shame if it damaged performance. I fear that will possibly happen. In business, one...

Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I first met John Hume back in 1972 at the funeral of my brother-in-law, Mr. Jack McCabe. Mr. Hume inspired us in those days and in the days that followed, particularly during the power-sharing executive and the UWC strike, to which Senator Maurice Hayes referred. He still inspires us today. We were particularly struck when he spoke of spilling one's sweat, rather than spilling one's blood. I...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I congratulate the Progressive Democrats on putting down this motion and on the wording of the motion. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. No amendment has been proposed to the motion because it would be difficult not to support it. The Lisbon Agenda is well worded. I compliment the Government on having chosen, as one of the themes of its Presidency, the revitalisation of the Lisbon...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister for Education and Science is engaged in what appears to me to be a vendetta against the universities. These are strong words. To hear the Minister speak one would think the universities are the problem whereas it is vital for the future of the country that the Minister sees them as part of the solution. The problems of the universities are not of their own making. They arise...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: We know we have a problem that needs to be addressed. That particular remark got to me and is symptomatic of the problems we face at present. The Government can call in the OECD and ask for its advice on what needs to be done to create a world class research driven university sector. However, it should not be surprised if the response from the OECD calls its bluff. I look forward to hearing...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I have the odd feeling tonight of having gone to a funeral only to find myself saying, "Is this not the same poor fellow we buried four years ago?" That has never happened to me in real life and until today it had not happened to me in my 11 year career as a legislator. Talking about funerals is not inappropriate on this occasion. Many Members will remember the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: They are a national asset owned by Aer Lingus. If we lose control of the airline we lose control of the slots, which could have a devastating impact on our tourism industry. This is not a fanciful scenario. Consider what has happened in the past few years on the telecommunications front where the privatised Eircom has been systematically obstructing and undermining the key national priority...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: When I am in the city centre nowadays I still see cigarettes being sold illegally. If tight controls are to be placed on licensed retailers, I can understand their frustration when they see these illegal retailers selling on the street and not adhering to the new guidelines. Subsection (11) refers to an offence under subsection (10), the purpose of which I do not fully understand. If...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: My point relates to Senator Henry's comments. My daughter and I checked into a hotel recently. My daughter requested a non-smoking room, but found there was a strong smell of smoke in her room. She was successful in demanding a change of room, unlike in Senator Henry's case. There is a danger in trying to solve everything by way of legislation as to a large extent the marketplace will solve...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: There was a fire in a hostel in Dublin last weekend and 12 children were rushed to hospital afterwards. It is a reminder to us of the responsibility we, as a nation, have towards those in our care. It has been reported in the UK that there are no sprinkler systems in any of its prisons, with the exception of one prison ship. I do not know what is the position in Ireland but the State has a...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I intended to be critical of this Bill's long gestation, considering the report on the area was published in 1997. However, having heard the Minister speak on the Bill, I realise it is far better to have moved slowly and carefully with this legislation and its phased introduction. The need for legislation in this area is now much greater, particularly as some criminals...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Last weekend seven young men died on our roads. I read yesterday that the chairman of the National Safety Authority questioned the Minister responsible on the unavailability of a central budget for road safety. This is a most serious matter. The young men who died were aged between 18 and 30 years. This matter should be on the agenda every week until something happens. According to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: During the past few years, we have spent a great deal of time debating insurance issues, particularly those relating to car insurance. I ask the Leader to draw to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment a directive issued by the European Commission last week on car insurance. It involves political correctness going mad. The Commission believes that,...