Results 881-900 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I will retract my comments about the Taoiseach. I was possibly too unkind to him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: We look forward to an announcement on aviation policy this evening, which will come to be called operation fudge.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: He has dithered on this issue. He must be a great friend of Michael O'Leary.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the decision to have a proper debate on the Disability Bill because many of us have been getting telephone calls on this issue. We are all aware of the major march that will take place tomorrow to highlight how dissatisfied many of the disability organisations are about the Bill. I ask the Leader once more to speak to the Minister for Education and Science about special needs...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Ardpatrick national school is situated on a main road outside the speed limits of the village. It was originally built as a three-teacher school in a rural community in 1969, and the grounds incorporated approximately ten parking spaces for staff and parents. These spaces were arranged within a recess directly adjacent to the main road to allow the cars park parallel to it. Given that there...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: As the Minister of State will appreciate, the grant scheme for minor works will not be used in this situation. I have outlined the safety aspect that is attached to this issue. I cannot emphasise any more the importance of the extension of this car park. Can the Minister of State give me any assurance that this matter will at least be favourably considered in the 2006 scheme, given that it...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: If the Minister could receive a copy of what I said in the Adjournment debate she would appreciate exactly my sincerity and the sincerity of the school authorities.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday, the group of unions in the communications sector in An Post launched an interesting document.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: It was their appraisal of the situation in An Post, and of the way forward. There is tremendous tension between unions and management in An Post. Postmen and other workers have had no pay increase since February 2003. They are not extremely well paid. While An Post points to the economic necessity of making profits, I ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Both Senator Brennan and I attended a meeting in Kilmallock last Monday, organised by the Kilmallock Association of Trade and Commerce. At that meeting the members of the association outlined their frustration at the ongoing delay in the start of the much-needed Kilmallock sewerage scheme. Their frustration is justified because of the conflicting information received from the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I support what has been said by Senator Dardis. We have consistently linked the growth in criminality with drugs. Human life is no longer sacred, particularly in our urban areas. We have recently seen a big increase in the shootings of criminals. We must compliment the Garda, which is an unarmed force whose members consistently put their own lives at risk. The Minister recently allocated more...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: What the Senator is saying is in direct contradiction to what he has espoused all along.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: For God's sake, there has been a change of policy.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: We know Senator McDowell's sentiments after the weekend; he is consistent at any rate. Let us try to be consistent.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: The Minister is being confrontational.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I propose to give two minutes of my time to Senator Browne.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely. We are all grateful that the Government has finally made a decision on this issue. This was a classic example of Shakespeare's observation that procrastination is the thief of time. The Government dithered over this matter for months. Senator Dooley referred to the media but it was the Government that caused all the media speculation. I am...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: As the Minister of State has said, we are holding a round table discussion on this issue. He should not interrupt me because I am able to take him on over various issues.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State would be a good man were he to address the NCT.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I wish to speak on the issue of Shannon, which concerns people of the mid-west region. We debated the State Airports Act 2004, the break-up of Aer Rianta and the creation of the Shannon authority on an autonomous basis but have not as yet reached a conclusion. The chief executive, Mr. Pat Shanahan, and his board have approached their business in a serious manner. Shannon, which has a current...