Results 921-940 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I was impressed by the comments made in a book by the former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, in which he wrote that he had once questioned the use of DNA evidence. In a particular case, he discovered that DNA evidence solved a problem to the extent of excusing an alleged culprit. DNA evidence has a benefit, not just in capturing criminals, but in relieving someone of the accusation made...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: We debated energy policy in this House during the past year but one of the areas we have not fully debated with an open mind is the question nuclear energy. I am concerned about a report obtained yesterday through a freedom of information inquiry that appeared in a British newspaper article today. It states that the British Government's nuclear inspector has raised serious questions about the...

Seanad: Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I am pleased that this Bill, which I welcome, has been introduced. On previous occasions, the Minister of State listened carefully to what was said in this House and he and his officials responded to the points which were made. I am in favour of this legislation because it provides for an attack on red tape, which is high on...

Seanad: Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Given that Bills, etc., are available in electronic form, it is sinful that we use such a huge amount of paper in this building. I am not sure what happens to it all, but I assume it goes somewhere. For some years, investors have had the option of dematerialising their shares. No share certificates are issued to those who take up this option — everybody in the transaction relies on...

Seanad: Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: My head is getting larger.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: As a long-time supporter of the institutes of technology sector, I welcome this Bill because it will in some ways improve their lot and guarantee their survival as a distinct and separate contributor to our third level system. Five years ago, when I was the chairman of a committee in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, I learned of the theories of Howard Gardner and Charles...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I consider that to be both highly desirable and easily achievable. What I welcome in the Bill is that it re-affirms and copperfastens the binary system in our third level education. Under a binary system, universities are one entity and institutes of technology are another. Universities are not jumped-up institutes of technology. Institutes of technology are not failed universities or...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Feargal Quinn: The result was that they ended up with a raft of second-rate universities and downgraded the status of university education as a whole in that country. From that point of view, I understand what the Minister is doing and I welcome it. I believe we owe the credit for steering us away from making that mistake to the OECD, which strongly argued for the continuance of our traditional binary...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I am stunned at the number of gangland crimes and drive-by shootings that are taking place and the fact that they are only reported in small print in our newspapers. It was reported that six shootings took place in one district of one city over the past weekend, an issue on which other Senators have called for a debate. Urgent action is needed on this worrying trend and questions must be...

Seanad: Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements (27 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: It has been an interesting debate. One facet of it is the big problem of the number of people hooked on cigarettes and who cannot give them up. I have the Dominicans at Newbridge College to thank, as they created in me such an interest in getting on the football team that I was afraid to smoke in case I did not get on the team. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, comes from...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This debate was sought by Senator Ross, who has strong views on this issue, and I support him in those views. I first came across this issue in Singapore, a place that has always impressed me. Singapore singled out the opportunity in Asia to become the centre for knowledge creation using the Internet. I came home excited about that and stood in...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Not every business in the Republic has broadband but we can do something about it. The onus of responsibility is on the Government, just as over a century ago the Government of the day declared it was important for every village to have running water. Water was not provided directly to people's homes originally but fresh water was provided through a village pump. The fresh water of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: A few weeks ago, I and many others watched as a helicopter performed an efficient rescue off Howth Head, during which a stretcher was dropped to a person who had been injured on the cliffs. I was very impressed by the crew's ability. The reason I mention this incident is that I understand a rescue helicopter must first load up before travelling to a hospital to collect a medical team and...

Seanad: Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I do not understand amendment No. 2. Will somebody explain it to me?

Seanad: Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Sep 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I see it now. My apologies.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I am interested in the comments of Senator White and Senator Maurice Hayes. On the BBC website, a report stated: The UK's anti-ageism legislation takes effect on Sunday, 1 October, and employers will be wondering precisely what it means for them. But they only have to look across the Irish Sea for some guidance. In 1999 the Republic of Ireland introduced laws which outlawed age...

Seanad: Road Traffic and Transport Bill 2006: Second Stage (3 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome this Bill. While I would not normally welcome the passage of legislation in a single day, this is an exception. The reason for this Bill is evident, namely, something that was missed the last time. Hence, this serves as a reminder to Members. The entire question of deaths on our roads is a scandal that should never have been permitted...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Annual Report 2005: Statements (3 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the opportunity to have this debate. It is the right time for it. On the Independent Newspapers website there is currently a straw poll that asks the question: "Is the Government incompetent when it comes to spending public money?" I am sure the Minister of State would have no doubt as to how he would answer that. As of a few...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Annual Report 2005: Statements (3 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I take the Senator's point that it does learn. However, it seems to go on year after year and I do not know that we actually take action. I am a great believer in that everything we do should be aimed at taking action. I have been a Member of this House for 13 years and I have watched this charade repeat itself over and over. I have now come to the conclusion that we need a radical...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: In response to what Senator Mansergh said on Ireland becoming one of the wealthier nations, may I quote a report in today's issue of The Irish Times in which the European Environment Agency singles out Ireland, and in particular Dublin, for urban sprawl. The agency's report states, "We're using it as an illustrative case for cities in eastern Europe to show what can happen if you let the...