Results 601-620 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (26 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: That was a reasonably favourable reply as Adjournment Matters go.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Leyden's point about the price of a pint. The increase implemented by Diageo is six cent, although it is expected that the actual increase will be 15 cent through a combination of factors. What should not be ignored, however, is the excessive duty imposed by the Government. For the working person, this is too much. There is one important factor we should all bear in mind, of...

Seanad: Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (27 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: That goes beyond the scope of what we have been discussing.

Seanad: Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I wish to raise an issue that concerns many people. In the past we were all extensively lobbied about St. John's wort, a medication sold in health shops. The Irish Medicines Board decreed that it could only be bought on prescription and, at the time, there was a furore over it. However, a person could establish a clinic in Killaloe and give out cancer therapy treatment to vulnerable people in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I seek to remind the Minister for Health and Children that legislation is urgently required in this area.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: Senator Hayes is off the chocolate mailing list.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I asked about the status of the decentralisation programme for Newcastle-West in an Adjournment debate in the House on 26 May. For many years, I have sought decentralisation to Newcastle West and assisted in the submission. Therefore, I was very pleased to see it coming to fruition at last with a commitment not alone for Newcastle-West but also for Kilrush and Listowel with the provision of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I wish to raise two issues. Many of us watched the recent "Prime Time" programme on people with intellectual disabilities and people with autism. As a politician for 15 years, I was ashamed at the deficiencies in that area and the painful experiences of many families whose members have autism and the lack of resources within the system. It is difficult to understand why funding is not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: ——or when it went out of office, a disabilities Bill was withdrawn. At the recent Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, indicated that a Bill would be introduced within two weeks. We have seen no sign of that legislation. At what stage is the legislation and what is the Government's intention in regard to this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I agree with the last speaker with regard to the ESB. What the unions have done in Moneypoint is very welcome. Given the capital investment in Moneypoint which the ESB has promised, something must be done with regard to the environmental aspect of the station. For a long time in our area we have been putting up with the spewing out of sulphur dioxide. Nearly 50% of the entire national sulphur...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator O'Toole's remarks on the NCT. I recently participated in a protest march at a local testing centre in Abbeyfeale. Some 500 people participated in that march, which was symptomatic of the frustration people feel about the NCT and the perception that vehicles are being failed for minor reasons. If one wishes to analyse the results of the local and European elections, the poor...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: A combination of all these factors is driving people frantic and people regularly approach me to express their views on them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: At least President Clinton met us.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: Over two years ago, the Government announced a serious aviation policy. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport to come to the House? If anything, the aviation policy is something for the future rather than the present. The chairman of Aer Rianta said his dealings with the Minister are extremely difficult and he accused him of a draconian policy in regard to Aer Rianta. The legislation...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: On a previous occasion I raised the issue of Travellers' convoys and recent incidents in Wexford and Ballyhaunis. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that many Traveller families have integrated well in the community, such as in Rathkeale and Newcastle West. However, it is unfortunate that several bands of Travellers, moving between different locations during the summer months, bring disrepute to...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I recall that during a heated discussion on this issue during Private Members' time, I was extremely vocal in my criticism of the con job that is being perpetrated by the Government. I was present in the Dáil when the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, stated that the board would be established as a separate entity so it could be independent in its divesting of funds. He said that such a...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: That is the reality of what happens and Senator Daly knows it. The same will happen with this fund because that is what the Government does with this type of funding. Fianna Fáil cannot resist pulling the stroke and it has pulled a major stroke in regard to this issue——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: ——and Senator Daly knows that. That is regrettable. We talk about catering for people experiencing disadvantage and those with educational needs. That is laudable but where will this money be dispensed? It will be in the areas where representations are made, particularly by Fianna Fáil politicians, and in marginal areas. The Government will do that with the ambition of winning more...