Results 641-660 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: I am sorry; the head of Ryanair. That company had a successful route between Shannon and Frankfurt-Hahn but the business was moved to Farranfore, not because of a lack of passengers but due to the ethos of the Ryanair company that took exception to what it considered the excessive charges at Shannon Airport. I think the charge at the time was €5 per passenger. As far as I am aware,...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: Who wrote that letter?

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Minister has another page of his speech to read. It is a shame for Senator O'Rourke to want to sell Aer Rianta to a Japanese bank.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: I join in the tributes of the previous speakers to the Cathaoirleach. His sense of tolerance towards all Members during the last session, particularly during the Order of Business, was greatly appreciated. Those of us who have been Members of the other House can recognise and respect the difference here in that there are not the same impediments to raising issues of importance. Yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Comptroller and Auditor General's report has been published. Every year it reveals classic examples of squandermania within Departments. I compliment the Comptroller and Auditor General, as the public watchdog, on exposing such excesses in spending. For example, he highlighted in this report the scandal of €50 million spent on electronic voting. There will be an associated annual cost...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Michael Finucane: Is the Senator referring to Deputy Cassidy?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Michael Finucane: He will not be Minister after today; he is on the transfer list.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Ryan's comments. It would be worthwhile finding out what authorisation the Americans had to introduce the recent changes at Shannon Airport. RTE recently broadcast a good programme on undocumented Irish immigrants in America. They are caught in a twilight zone because of restrictions introduced in the name of homeland security. Shannon Airport has been used for a...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: We all endorse that sentiment.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Public Transport. (7 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I too welcome the Minister to the Seanad and congratulate him on his appointment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: The issue of one-off houses has been brought sharply into focus by the case of the holiday home of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. While the debate on that case is ongoing, I am aware of a young couple who, having paid €40,000 some years ago for a site, have been turned down for permission to build a house because it is classified as ribbon development...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I am glad common sense has prevailed and there has been an extension to 10 p.m, although I am not fully in agreement with it because it should be 10 p.m. all year round. Many people with young children go into pubs which serve food at 8 p.m. but they are often told they cannot be served food because they might be there beyond 9 p.m. If one's order is only taken at 8 p.m, one may not be served...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: It means a lot to retain one's position, so I also congratulate him. I do not intend to extol the virtues of Newcastle West as a location for decentralisation because on many occasions previously in the Dáil and in the Seanad I spoke on this issue. As recently as 21 May last I spoke on the issue and was responded to by the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister for his reply.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Some 14 months ago, the tragic death of Róisín Ruddle occurred after she was sent home because an operation could not proceed at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. The then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, promised an investigation into the affair but there is still no sight of it 14 months later. Last Monday, operations on two children were cancelled with one...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Senator Browne is more diplomatic than Senator Leyden.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I wish the Minister of State well in his position and welcome him to the House. In tabling this matter on the Adjournment, I am conscious of the fact that the scheme was ratified by Limerick County Council in its assessment of need at a December 2003 meeting. It was fifth in its priority sequence and I know that the matter has been passed on to the Minister of State's Department. The area...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Yes. The programme was operating from 2004 to 2006. On the basis of what the Minister of State said, the scheme would probably be considered in the context of a programme beyond 2006.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: This time last year we discussed the crisis in accident and emergency units. We are again discussing the same issue this year. Anyone who listened to the media will have heard the horror stories of people lying on trolleys awaiting admission to hospital. It is interesting that in the UK a person cannot be left on a trolley for more than four hours. In Ireland, many people remain on trolleys...