Results 661-680 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: The usual approach is for the Government to criticise the Opposition with regard to Garda numbers for the two years in which it was in office in recent times. It should be noted that during the Celtic tiger years from 1997 to 2002, the Government recruited an average of 150 gardaí per year. The praise lavished on the former Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, was somewhat unrealistic...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: If this is achieved, the Garda will attain respectability and status from the citizens who have decided to make their home in Ireland. I welcome such a development. I also welcome the Minister's assertion that although the Irish language is important within the Garda, it should not be a barrier to recruitment if a person does not have leaving certificate level Irish. It is grossly unfair that...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Many others also await evidence of the strength and commitment of the reassurances given by the Minister to this House on many occasions. The 1997 programme for Government pledged that to enable the Garda to concentrate on crime control, a community warden service would be recruited by local authorities to reduce the workload of the Garda. This never happened. Perhaps many objectives are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: In the programme for Government a commitment was given that the Government would improve accident and emergency waiting times and that senior doctors would be available at all times. Yesterday, the Tánaiste apologised to the people who were on trolleys and said there was no quick-fix solution to the problem. As Senator McCarthy mentioned, on the Joe Duffy programme it was highlighted that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: There is collective responsibility in Cabinet. The crisis in our accident and emergency services that was highlighted yesterday was known last winter. We are now facing such a crisis again. Is the Government serious in its intent to implement what it said in the programme for Government. Urgent action is required. I ask the Tánaiste to do something about this problem and get on with it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Sinn Féin——

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. After many years as a Deputy, he deserves his place in the sun having been appointed as a Minister of State and I wish him well. His popularity extends beyond his party throughout Leinster House, which says a great deal. The issue before us has been debated at length in the House. I respect the great work that was done by the committee that was...

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, for his attendance. This is an issue which will concern him as he too comes from west Limerick. The industry in Castlemahon and Kantoher, now Kerry Foods, is involved in the production of chickens. It is synonymous with the west Limerick area where it continues to provide valuable...

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Will there be any consultation between the Department and the company involved?

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I accept that. Would it even be brought to the attention of the company that this was being raised?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Over the past six weeks there has been a problem with fireworks which are now being set off continually. We have all recently heard the concerns of the visually impaired, especially regarding guide dogs. In many cases, they have failed to function effectively as a result of having been terrified by such fireworks. The problem is now in every urban community, and I would be surprised if all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: The subject of the American President is very topical this morning and it appears that President Bush will be re-elected. I wish him well. Exit polls indicated that moral values were the primary issue for people. In that context, anyone who watches the national channel in this country at weekends should ask themselves a question. It appears to have become acceptable not just for Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: Senator Leyden is being confrontational.

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: I second the motion. As the Minister is aware, an active lobby has emanated from County Limerick as a result of frustration with regard to this issue. I participated in a parade to the local driving test centre in Abbeyfeale and I understand that several other marches have also taken place and have been successful in highlighting the issue. The issue was taken up as a result of extreme...

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: In its four years of operation, the NCT failure rate has risen every year. In 2001, 62% of cars passed the test first time. In 2002, 53% of cars passed first time. In 2003, 52% passed first time and in 2004 the figure was51%. As the objective of the NCT is to improve car safety, one would have anticipated a reduction in the failure rate over four years rather than an increase. Earlier tests...

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: Motorists have the added burden of motoring costs. According to Automobile Association figures, it now costs €10,383 to run a small family car for a year. Road tax for a 1.8 litre car is just under €500. The same Revenue Commission which dictates that number plates must include Irish charges €500 in tax. Insurance for a 30 year old male driver is approximately €1,000 while in Britain...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: Like many others, I was appalled to learn that during the tenure of the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, 115 consultants' reports were produced costing €30 million. Often the decision to appoint a consultant to produce a report is to take action on a matter. No action has been taken on foot of most of those reports. The Hanly report cost approximately €750,000 and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: It was the local elections.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: There was a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the primary school pupil-teacher ratio to under 20:1 in accordance with international best practice. Everyone is aware that at present 100,000 pupils are in classes of over 30 or more and that 584 are in classes of 40 or more. It appears the Minister has reneged on the commitment to which I referred because at the weekend she...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2004)

Michael Finucane: Did the Senator listen to "Morning Ireland"?