Results 861-880 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and thank him for expressing in his speech his interest in all the matters which were covered at the recent meeting of the European Council. I am in danger of leading people to believe that I have a thing going for the US Secretary of Labor, Ms Elaine Chao, because I have mentioned her twice in recent weeks. When I met her a couple of weeks ago,...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Perhaps it is like Leinster and Munster. That is exactly it. That attitude is what we need here. We need determination, the will to succeed and the confidence that we can do it. We have the waves, the wind, solar energy to a certain extent, and we have the ability in our agricultural community to produce our own energy. Let us show commitment, get our heads down and believe this is something...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Fáiltím roimh an Aire. What an interesting debate we have had so far and I am sure it will get more interesting. What a joy it is to hear Senator Maurice Hayes talking about knowing Peig Sayers. It sounds like somebody who knew Napoleon as it seems so long ago. I also enjoyed listening to Senator McHugh to an extent. He used a term that reminded me of something when he talked about the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: A friend telephoned me last night in great excitement to tell me two swallows had just arrived in his garden for the beginning of the migratory season. It is a reminder that this is the time of bird migration. Therefore, when Senator Brian Hayes spoke of bird flu in Scotland, I was surprised to hear that the dead swan in Scotland was found one week ago, although this was just announced today....

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I support the rules of the House that those who are not in the House should not be named.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I was rather surprised that two people, one of whom I had never heard of before, were mentioned by the previous speaker. I ask the Leader of the House to consider inviting the Taoiseach to come before the House to discuss a topic about which he is extremely enthusiastic, namely, the question of active citizenship. He recently appointed a task force on active citizenship and his enthusiasm for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Feargal Quinn: An horrific case of someone charged, found guilty of rape and sentenced was reported yesterday. The body that employed the person had been unable to verify references of potential employees with the Garda Síochána. Two years ago I referred to the opportunity to provide this information to those involved in child care and general businesses. This requires investment but it is a business...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share my time with Senator Ross.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to debate this issue. It is not very long since it was debated in the House. I have no problem congratulating the Government on its foresight in setting up the National Pensions Reserve Fund and congratulating those responsible for its good results. However, as we congratulate ourselves on this success, there is a real danger that we will lose sight...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: While I was about to apologise, as that appears to be the thing to do, I will not. My apologies would have been for missing a debate on which I wished to speak yesterday. Hence, I was delighted to discover that Second Stage debate on the Road Safety Authority Bill did not conclude. This will provide me with an opportunity to speak on it whenever it comes before the House. Can the Leader...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I was reminded that the introduction of this Bill provides Members with an opportunity to table amendments and make proposals, and it is good to see its introduction. I also thank Senator Brian Hayes for referring to my request to hold a debate on energy. I will use my Private Member's time next week to facilitate a discussion on the Government's energy strategy. Regardless of whether this...

Seanad: Migration Report: Statements. (11 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the contribution by the Minister, Deputy Martin. He gave us a great deal of information. He spoke about the change that has taken in place in our economy since the early 1980s. The Minister, like me, will remember how things were at that time. There are students from St. Fiachra's senior national school, Beaumont, in the Visitors Gallery this morning and none of them will understand...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Bearing in mind the shortage of hospital beds reported in Ireland, my attention was drawn recently to the position on hospital beds in other countries. A friend of mine who recently went to hospital in the United States was told he should stay in the hotel beside the hospital. His operation was not very serious and he was told he could be picked up at the hotel and brought to the hospital...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I would like to share my time with Senator Ross, who will take four minutes while I take six.

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. Although I missed the debate last week I want to make some points. I welcome the Bill with some reservations. It is a great idea to make one authority responsible for driving tests, schools and instructors but the responsibility rests with the Government. However, the prime responsibility for good driving lies with drivers. We have learned that this cannot be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: From today, every home in Northern Ireland will receive a disk entitled "How to use the Internet". This is a very interesting concept. Ten years ago, this State decided it wanted to get to the top of the league regarding information technology but it has failed miserably to do so in the area of broadband. We need somebody to highlight the opportunity that exists for us and argue that we...

Seanad: Ageism Policy: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the opportunity to speak on this topic, in which I have a personal interest. I am delighted to see the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke. Some 12 years ago, as Minister, she introduced a Bill on unfair dismissal. It had passed through the Dáil, and in my first few weeks in the Seanad I examined it and discovered that age had not been...

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I move: That Seanad Éireann recognises the need to develop a national energy strategy that will address Ireland's over-dependence on oil and replace it to the largest possible extent by energy derived from renewable sources. I deliberately worded this motion in what I call non-confrontational terms, in the hope that it would not provoke the usual knee-jerk amendment from the Government and...

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate the Minister's decision.

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Feargal Quinn: One of the reasons I like this House is because it avoids the confrontational issues that often occur in the other House. I went to some pains to word the motion in that manner. Energy is an issue that is far too important in national terms for us to allow it become a political football. We have a serious problem with energy and if we do not get it right we put at risk our entire future as a...