Results 541-560 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I do not know what is the joke in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I am appalled that Senators would laugh at this issue, when it is raised in a serious manner. A letter from an eminentsurgeon at St. James's Hospital was published in The Irish Times today and he spoke about the issue on a radio programme yesterday. He stated that three of the six people who came in with broken jaws over the weekend were assaulted while smoking outside public houses. This...

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, subsection (2), line 12, after "life" to insert ", pursuant to which, that person shall serve a period of not less than 15 years". In moving this amendment I am conscious the Minister of State mentioned an indictment of imprisonment for life for very serious offences. Nowadays, the criminal justice system, in terms of life imprisonment, has lost its...

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, subsection (2), line 17, to delete "€1,500" and substitute "€3,000". In moving this amendment, I recognise that the offences are serious. Under recent legislation the minimum penalty is €3,000. The figure, therefore, has been raised from €1,500 to €3,000 and the sentence from six to 12 months. That is the spirit of those two amendments.

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the fact that the Minister will accept it.

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 5a: In page 7, subsection (2), line 18, to delete "6 months" and substitute "12 months".

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following subsection: "(4) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851, proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted within 12 months from the date on which the offence was committed.". The investigation of offences under this legislation could well be lengthy and, therefore,...

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I listened to what the Minister said. He reassured us that, despite the international dimension, investigations in such cases would be completed within a six month period. On that basis, I am prepared to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, lines 46 to 48, to delete all words, from and including "shall" in line 46 down to and including "convicted" in line 48 and substitute the following: "which corresponds to an offence under section 2 shall not be the subject of a prosecution in the State under section 2 for that same act". My intention was to draft something much simpler which would achieve...

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: Is the Minister of State certain the Parliamentary Counsel looked at the wording that is there and opted instead for the legalese version?

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (6 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: We recognise the importance of getting this legislation through, particularly during the Irish EU Presidency. I thank the Minister of State and his official, Mr. Tobin, as well as those who did the research in the Department. I appreciate the Minister of State's magnanimity in accepting certain amendments and their spirit.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: In this morning's newspapers there are pleasant photographs of MichaelSchumacher, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: I want to ask a question in that context. Regrettably, over the past few months, road deaths have risen compared to the same period last year. Anyone driving to Dublin at 60 mph will see other vehicles zooming past. There appears to be an absence of gardaí to enforce speed limits. In the past, we were promised that a traffic corps would be introduced. Two weeks ago the Minister for Justice,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: We know the Leader loves Killarney.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: Many of those who watched the "Prime Time" programme last night, during which the Tánaiste was quoted liberally, will have found it disturbing. Much of the recent success of our economy has been made due to the large number of people working here on work permits. It was interesting that RTE researchers were able to identify many abuses of the permits' system in a short period. Migrant...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: Why did she not collect rare butterflies?

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: Was it wise to abolish Dúchas? Will he take over responsibility for heritage?

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: That is a populist point of view.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: What about Monday week?

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Finucane: It is interesting to listen to all strands of thought on this issue. Two themes seem to be emerging, one of which relates to the praise lavished on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for his caring approach to rural Ireland. I refer particularly to his recent announcement on one-off housing. Senator Moylan said farmers could now sell their sites and allow planning...