Results 1,121-1,140 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (16 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I have raised this matter because Dromcollogher is an expanding community and I am aware of the housing implications of potential developments and an existing housing development there. Public-private partnerships are filling a vacuum regarding sewerage facilities. If a developer moves into a small village and decides to expand the scheme to embrace the village community a certain proportion...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (16 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister of State. It is regrettable that no reason was given for the economic assessment requested from the council in July 1998 not having been received. I do not know why the council did not acknowledge it. In his reply the Minister of State mentioned June 2005 regarding that economic assessment. It is a pity he did not receive that economic assessment a long time ago. The...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (16 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his latitude. Some sewerage schemes began as stand-alone projects. Afterwards, because of economics, local authorities decided to group them with projects in other areas. The Department had to reinvent the wheel in many cases and change everything. That accounts for many delays.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Ryan's comments on recent accidents. I raised the issue last week and made the point that the rules of the road should be available in different languages. I was pleased to hear the Garda assistant commissioner agree with me on "Five Seven Live" that it should happen. The Government should take action in this area. I was also pleased to read that the Government is taking...

Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: He even tried to twist what Teagasc said.

Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: Why did the Minister personalise the matter? He is using bully boy tactics.

Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: He is a smart Alec.

Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I was watching on the monitor and know what the Minister said. He made some terrible assertions.

Seanad: Local Authority Services: Motion. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: On planning, the Taoiseach said in Sligo that guidelines would be more amenable for people building in rural areas. This was followed by statements from the previous Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, and by the Minister himself. The situation on the ground has become more difficult since those statements were made. All public representatives are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator Leyden has made a valid point and I rise to support him. We should have a discussion as there has been much confusion on the issue. Yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform brought some clarity to the matter when we all received a document clarifying what the Garda reserve force would consist of and the total number of hours to be worked, etc. It is interesting...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator Leyden is correct in contending that it is time to clarify the matter fully. The Minister, in all fairness, has gone some way in doing this. The issue has the support of Commissioner Conroy, and it seemingly has the support of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Somewhere along the way the message of what the issue is has failed to be completely communicated with the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: The then Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, promised it.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael Finucane: I do not intend to elaborate in detail on the conditions prevailing in Kilfinane school, which dates back to 1909, because I have discussed the school several times here and in the Other House. The recent announcement that a new school had been approved for the Kilfinane area has been welcomed. I hope this is not a false dawn because in 2001 a new school was promised and the issue arose again...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Ryan's call for a discussion on the Indecon report. The report cost €291,000 and it took from 2004 to 2006 to compile the information but the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government rubbished it straight away. Everybody knows that consultants would recommend extra funding for local authorities and inevitably, reintroduction of rates, water charges, etc....

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister to the House. When I was my party's Dáil spokesman on the marine, the former Minister for Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Woods, was described by the Marine Times as a hero in County Donegal because of his plans for the expansion of the fishing fleet. At that time, fishermen were encouraged to fish for deep water species in order to sustain the expansion of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: I support the statements made by Senator Brian Hayes. I listened to the Minister yesterday and I thought he was in Opposition because a year ago he stated he was going to introduce much longer sentences. The recent callous murder of an innocent person has again brought the issue sharply into focus. It is easy to criticise the Judiciary, but legislation is passed in both Houses. While the 1999...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: This issue requires prompt action on the part of the Minister, with less megaphone action so that he can do the practical work.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: The Senator is defending the Minister for trolleys.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (7 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. When I raised this matter on 14 October 2004, I did not receive a very optimistic response. I was disappointed as the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme was intended to include many areas including Loughhill, Ballyhahill and Glin and parts of Shanagolden, which is a very wide area and would represent an extension of the existing scheme. Many...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (7 Mar 2006)

Michael Finucane: Of course. The reply is very similar to the response I received in October 2004. There has been no movement whatsoever, and the only commitment the Minister of State has given is that in 2006, if the council once again provides its assessment of water needs, the Government will re-examine the matter. I am bitterly disappointed at the response, since there has been no progress. I continually...