Results 1,021-1,040 of 2,414 for speaker:Fintan Warfield

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (1 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: The Minister of State will appreciate that the HSE has been talking about staff recruitment for a long time. If he cannot answer it now, he can write to me. Who is responsible? Is it senior management in the HSE or CHO 6 which is responsible for GMHS reopening? Is the agency responsible committed to its prioritisation for its return? What is the actual update on Covid-19 recruitment?...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister to the House. I want to address the change that was made in the Bill through the amendment in Dáil Éireann that refers to the long established zero or 1 cent threshold for tax back on purchases by citizens resident outside of the EU who then export the product or bring it home with them.They then export the product or bring it home with them. The Minister is...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (2 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I will speak on amendment No. 9. The explanatory memorandum talks about the modernisation agenda.This amendment to develop further strategies if the initial work does not encompass all of the voices that we need it to will trigger more imaginative processes. Senator Boyhan mentioned young people and art. The Dublin City Council Culture Company has had tea and chats with people of all ages...

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I ask for a little leeway from the Acting Chairman to continue on from Senator Hoey's remarks. I feel a little leeway can sometimes save us a Commencement matter. As we are addressing technological universities, I must mention the fantastic contribution made by our student nurses, those who have just graduated and who are currently studying in our ITs. I appeal to the Minister to go back...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I move amendment No. 1: In page 44, to delete lines 27 to 30. I wish to speak to amendment No. 1. I will cover the first grouping of amendments and then my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, will take over. I want to speak about tourism and I raised these concerns on Second Stage. Sinn Féin has tabled amendment No. 1 to essentially delete the section, far too much uncertainty is...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: It is very good.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: It is really heartening to see so many Senators supporting either Sinn Féin's amendment or Senator Casey's amendment. They propose the same thing. I am in two minds on whether to divide the House on the issue if it comes to that. Talking about trinkets might give the wrong impression. We are talking about quality craft goods. Having a Roscommon man in the Chair reminds me of my...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: Strokestown is not in mine.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: It would be a win for the country. The EU comparison made by the Minister of State only supports the point being made by Senators from all groups, which, I recognise, is unusual. Let us do it differently. Ours is an island nation on the fringe of Europe. The Minister of State mentioned Spain. I am trying to figure out what Spain is doing in respect of this matter. Who visits Spain the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I thank Senator Casey for giving the information about Spain. I just read the Dáil transcript, which told me that Spain has the largest number of British visitors and reduced its rate to zero. We are going from zero to €75. We cannot do much about our location in the world. What we can do relates to the cost of someone's trip, and this increases that cost.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: There has been a convincing debate over the last few hours in this House. I am heartened to see the support for the issue that has come from all sides and all groups. I urge the Minister of State to accept our amendment, which I will push depending on what the Minister of State has to say. There are other amendments that may also be pushed.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I think this will probably be the last time I speak on the Bill. We should put the matter to a vote at some point. I intend to press the amendment. I was hoping that we would come back after the sos with some new information or some agreement on the issue. The most unfortunate thing is that, as Senator Chambers stated, the pitch that staff in museum or heritage site shops make to tourists...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I ask the Deputy Leader to schedule a debate in the House with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to clarify the position on co-living ventures and to also discuss how we combat the continuing illegal advertisement of rental properties that fall well below the standards already set. The Minister gave notice two weeks ago that co-living is to be...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Film and Television Industry: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I thank the witnesses for attending. The audiovisual action plan announced in 2018 by the then Minister, Deputy Madigan, involved funding of €200 million. In this budget, however, €26 million was given to Screen Ireland while the full budget came to €30 million. Where does the commitment for 2021 leave us in terms of the audiovisual action plan? What is Screen Ireland...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Film and Television Industry: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: Several years ago, RTÉ announced that it was moving to a commissioning model for children's programming and moving away from in-house production. This was something I was cautious about and raised it in the Seanad at the time. Has that move to a commissioning model served viewers well? Is it better value for public money? In 2019, RTÉ spent €39 million on commissioning...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Film and Television Industry: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: Is Mr. Switzer happy with how RTÉ and TG4, as public service broadcasters, are commissioning programming?

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Film and Television Industry: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: TG4 has a young workforce who are given responsibility for commissioning. That very much reflects the democratic nature of the digital space. I am concerned that TV is a bit of a closed shop when it comes to commissioning and that such a large amount of money is given to such a small number of production companies. However, I could be wrong.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister to the House. I, too, wish to start by commending the staff in the Department of Social Protection on their work and dedication. Their commitment ensured those who were worst hit during the pandemic received vital financial supports in time. I know many staff worked above and beyond to ensure the first wave of the pandemic unemployment payment was paid as quickly as...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I want to echo the comments made by Senator Mullen. I have said before that the Legislature and the Executive both have jobs to do and at the moment, as Senator Mullen has pointed out, the Legislature is not being allowed to do that job properly. We have seen that with the comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, and many other instances that have been mentioned. Last night in the...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Challenges facing Public Broadcasting and the broader Media Sector as a result of Covid-19: Discussion (16 Dec 2020)

Fintan Warfield: I thank Mr. Farrell, Mr. Esslemont and Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin for coming in. My first question probably concerns TG4 and Virgin Media and is on the issue of prominence. It relates to TG4 as a stand-alone television channel and Virgin Media as an organisation which has a whole television package. My interest lies in ensuring that the broadcasters to which we give significant public...