Results 501-520 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Many nurses who complete their training in the United States find it extremely difficult to obtain nursing positions in Ireland. Many of these nurses are Irish, they are aware that a demand for nurses exists in Ireland and they find it quite frustrating and distressing that An Bord Altranais states that the degree course at Villanova University does not contain adequate clinical hours. I wish...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I concur with what previous speakers have said. Domestic violence against women is only a political issue in respect of funding and intervention and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet on this sensitive and delicate matter. Some €20 million per annum is provided for services for female victims. That is a great deal of money and it acknowledges the fact domestic violence against...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Exactly. A total of 29% of women, or one in three and only 5% of men, or one in 20, report these incidents to the Garda. While I do not wish to take from the arguments regarding domestic violence against females, there is an issue if only one in 20 males report domestic violence to the Garda. The three figures I have highlighted must be considered and evaluated. We must ask whether we are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Last week the Leader acceded to a debate on road tragedies and road deaths. Has there been any update on when this will happen? There is growing demand for such a debate in the House. The following matter will be close to the heart of the Leas-Chathaoirleach as he is from the west of Ireland. I am delighted Senator Norris raised the issue of An Taisce's objections to An Bord Pleanála. We...

Seanad: Salmon Fisheries Report: Statements. (19 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. I have a few questions about the National Salmon Commission, which has been discussed at length in Oireachtas committees. In respect of the representative group body on the commission, I know the Minister of State intends to appoint a nominee from Fáilte Ireland at some stage. Point 4 of the terms of reference of the commission...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I support the comments of other Senators on the Ferns report. I got an opportunity last night to go through it briefly. Perhaps the subject is a bit raw to debate now. Many details of the report were heard in the rumour factories of the 1980s and 1990s and, therefore, some of the allegations as to what went on do not come as a surprise. It is important that we take Senator Maurice Hayes's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: By way of trying to dig up a few positive aspects of the transportation plan, I acknowledge the Atlantic corridor proposal in terms of its facilitating access to counties Cork and Waterford. However, the corridor does not deal with the issues facing Donegal people. Some 140,000 people have highlighted on an ongoing basis that they need direct access from Letterkenny to Dublin. One should try...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I want a record of every minute of the meetings that took place. Senator Norris stated he found the launch of the transport document "invigorating". Try telling that to the cancer patients coming from Donegal to Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: It takes them six hours in an ambulance.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: Senator Norris should try telling them it is invigorating. The only people travelling by road who have direct access to Dublin are those who travel after midnight, at which time there is not much traffic, such as tractors with slurry tankers. It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Hospital Staff. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. I am delighted he is present to consider this important matter with respect to the permanent appointment to Letterkenny General Hospital, first, of a consultant breast surgeon. Currently there is an interim appointment of an acting surgeon on a temporary basis. Second, there is an identified need for a consultant colorectal...

Seanad: Hospital Staff. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State for his response. Political capital should not be made of an issue as sensitive as this. Cancer is becoming too common among communities in County Donegal and the issue is of concern to every family. While the Minister of State set out some new information with regard to proposals by the HSE, a change in mindset is required. Patients from Malin Head face a long...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: Figary Water Sports Development Company Limited is a private company in Donegal involved in the development of a marina in Fahan, north Donegal since 1998. Some €4 million of its money has been invested to date. Since 1998 it has lobbied for Government assistance or cross-Border funding. Two issues are outstanding and I believe solutions can be found through departmental intervention. These...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: Will the Leader ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Heath and Children to address the anomaly in the home help sector whereby workers in Sligo and Leitrim are treated differently from those in Donegal in regard to contracts of employment and holiday pay? This should not arise given that there is one overall authority, the HSE. There is also an issue in terms of when workers in different...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: It is relevant.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: He was born in Ramelton. Letterkenny rugby club did more for tourism in forging a link——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: My question is relevant.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I am a GAA supporter like the Cathaoirleach but I wish to commend Letterkenny rugby club on the important work it has done in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I support Senator Norris's proposal to debate No. 22. It is important to ventilate topical matters and I ask that the timeframe for doing so be extended to 45 minutes. The case for doing so has been proven today. Many topical issues are restricted from being debated. That is probably one of the reasons Members on this side of House have not debated issues affecting the west-——

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I second the amendment. The Irish language is thriving in Northern Ireland. There is a new-found hunger among young and not so young people to learn the language. There is a new-found vigour for the language and it is working. In Northern Ireland, learning Irish is not compulsory.