Results 41-60 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Hospitals Building Programme. (12 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State is a man of action.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: When we recently discussed the Nice agreement we spoke about the accession of ten countries, one of which was Malta. There is an illicit trade going on with regard to our Irish native songbirds, such as the bullfinches, goldfinches and other songbirds, particularly to Malta. Those birds are being traded at €50 per bird and they are regarded with the same respect as budgerigars in such...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: Is the Senator engaging in debate or propaganda?

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: If anybody wants to read it, there was an interesting article on the subject in Ireland on Sunday recently.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: It is the Government's spin doctors.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I have previously raised the issue of radiotherapy services. Early in 2000 the Mid-Western Health Board made a presentation to the expert review group in this area while a deputation from the board also met the group last February. Will the Leader establish whether the expert review group has reported to the Minister for Health and Children and the status of the report? I have found it...

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: The Minister has a far-reaching portfolio. Today's debate is focused on the rail freight sector. The Minister has engaged consultants to carry out a strategic review and their report will be available in late January. It would be unwise, therefore, for Iarnród Éireann to proceed in any direction until that report is completed. The long awaited national spatial strategy could also have an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I want to raise an issue which is important to the credibility of this House and the respect given in other countries, especially the USA. While I do not dispute the honourable intentions of Senator White in going to Colombia, I ask her, in the interests of this House, to reconsider her decision to travel for the trial.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: Notional development plans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: What about the Progressive Democrats?

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I respect what the Minister has said. I was a Member of the Committee of Public Accounts and witnessed a classic example of what can happen where a chairperson and chief executive are the same person. Both functions must be divorced. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Section 16 agreed to. SECTION 17.

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: When the Minister was clarifying the composition of the board, he mentioned a lot of international heavyweights. While I am not in favour of excluding local authority members, it is important to strike a balance. I recognise that to set up a body such as this we must have an international component. Therefore, there should be a limiting restriction on a local authority member. Let me give one...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: In relation to section 27, confidential information—

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: The parameters of confidential information and to whom the provisions of this section should apply are clearly defined in the Bill. There have been many cases of leaking information. As this is new legislation and the parameters are defined, I wonder if it would be worthwhile notifying the officials of all State bodies about their responsibilities vis-à-vis confidential information. State...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: As a former Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, when discussing various matters we were always reminded that we could not be critical of policy or of Ministers. Sometimes we had to bite our lip in order to stay within the parameters. I compliment Senator Quinn on this amendment. On day one, we were told the digital hub would be a very exciting, innovative body and we were told about...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: The points have been well made and I do not want to over-elaborate. If certain policies are inhibiting the profitability of a commercial operation, the chief executive should be allowed to point out the constraints under which he is operating. Not to allow him this latitude would be most remiss.

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I support the amendment because I recall at the Committee of Public Accounts there was concern in regard to the number of consultants employed. Often there was resentment within the Civil Service in regard to consultants being deployed from outside as it was considered that there was the necessary expertise to carry out whatever consultancy was required. In the financially straitened...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I ask the Leader of the House to raise the following issues, as appropriate. In view of the proposed escalation of the postmasters union strike and the reduction of further services, the impact of which has already been felt in rural areas, will she ask the appropriate Minister to come into the House to give an overview of what is happening in An Post? It is creating an unnecessary divide...

Seanad: Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (21 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: I welcome this Bill which has had a long gestation. Some years ago I asked the Minister in the Dáil to introduce a system of this nature in the interests of openness and transparency. For many years there have been question marks with regard to the dispensing of licences. We remember from the past a situation where some were classified as "Dingle licences" as a result of a previous...

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Michael Finucane: May I make a point on this, please?