Results 541-560 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Water Quality. (10 Feb 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate the information. Interestingly, my daughter told me that in France the price of houses in certain areas are increasing and decreasing solely on the basis of the quality of the local water supply. The designation of a "defined area" is very useful. When is the Bill likely to be processed?

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I propose, with the agreement of the House, to share my time with Senator Mary Henry.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I congratulate Senator Norris for introducing this Bill. Modern life has changed. The way we think has changed. We need to examine these matters and to tease out many questions we had not thought of before. This debate has been a valuable contribution. I wish many more people could hear it because it has opened my eyes to a whole range of topics, challenges and questions I had not thought of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I was impressed to discover that the infection rates in hospitals differ in different countries. This is especially the case with regard to the MSRA infection rate. In Britain the figure has dropped since the introduction of league tables of the most dangerous hospitals. If the message for management is that what gets measured gets dealt with, this is an ideal way for Ireland to operate....

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: We have been stunned by yesterday's announcement from P. O'Neill. Today's reaction is a reminder of how we must value our democracy, although we do not do so nearly enough. We must do so, however, having heard those words and the threats that were made in the IRA statement. Given that we have not always valued our democracy enough, we should remember what occurred today in Egypt where the...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: A good measurement of a democracy is how a State looks after those who are unable to look after themselves. This is most evident in the area of health. I am aware that one hospital in Ireland has asked the public to stay away, due to the third outbreak of the winter vomiting bug in three months. I contrast this with hospitals in Britain; they have league tables for hospitals and this has...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (9 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I cannot agree with Senator Kett that this issue should not have been raised again so soon after the previous discussion on it because I have learned something today. For instance, the Minister told us that the problem is not solved by pumping more money into this if the supply and demand situation is such that the price goes up. I also learned that child benefit is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Will the Leader consider a debate on the publication of the Competition Authority's annual report for 2004? I am delighted it has been issued this March. As Members will know, I have tabled amendments to various Bills setting up authorities stipulating that those authorities publish their annual reports within three months after the year to which reports pertain. The amendments are regularly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: The reason is that it is doubtful whether France will vote in favour. It now appears that even the Netherlands may not vote in favour of the constitutional treaty. Senator Maurice Hayes has done a marvellous job at the Forum for Europe to ensure that the constitutional treaty and what we hope to achieve from it is explained. However, we must also ensure that others do not find ways of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Much of what he said in his contribution is welcome, particularly his reference to the Bill closing off many tax avoidance schemes some of which are quite aggressive in sheltering the income of some high earners. Nobody will disagree with that. However, I have a problem with the area of child care as mentioned by Senators John Paul Phelan and...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I have not spoken about this matter since Second Stage. I believe I understand the purpose of the provision. Obviously vets are represented on the council and the objective is to retain one member who is not a vet. The point made by Senator Henry is correct. I was on the board of a State company at one time. When appointing the board, the Minister asked if I had any...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I understand the Minister's intention is to ensure a balance in that the council should not consist only of vets. However, it is wrong to stipulate that the best person for the job cannot be a vet. The Minister observed that Joe Soap, even if he is not a vet, is entitled to be a member of the council. However, it seems a shame that he is not entitled to do so if he is a vet. Before Report...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister explained the position very well. Her explanation is probably acceptable. When I first read Senator McCarthy's amendment, I was inclined, particularly in my capacity as a National University of Ireland Senator, to support it. However, this legislation may be in place for a long period and it is, therefore, best to leave our options open. Section 16(1)(e) seems to cover what the...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: This amendment is very sensible and I urge the Minister to consider it.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I agree with Senator McCarthy. This is something about which Veterinary Ireland has expressed a concern. The concern is that some future Minister could allow others in when there is no national emergency. I am told the reference to class A might not be acceptable, on the advice of the Attorney General, because class A might not exist in ten years time. Could some other term be accepted,...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: On Second Stage the Minister said that as there are ongoing threats of disease outbreaks we must ensure that, if necessary and at short notice, we can call on adequate support and veterinary expertise from outside the State. That is the proposal for the limited registration. We have no problem with the present Minister, but there is a concern we believe is worthy of consideration. The...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: This approach will solve a problem which concerned people.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to pose the same question. I am somewhat confused.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I deserve to be confused when I come to the Chamber. I refer to the submission on the Bill from Veterinary Ireland which states: Minister Coughlan's stated intention here is to provide "for non-qualified persons to carry out a very limited range of procedures." The legislation as drafted however goes much further — covering specific matters such as non-qualified persons "administering an...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Feargal Quinn: This issue was raised many times by Members on these benches. I am delighted with this amendment.