Results 1,361-1,380 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Michael Finucane: Last night, the pattern of gangland killing continued. We hear typical responses following such events. People will say the killing was barbaric and savage and we will hear the usual response that the gardaí have all the resources they need. The successes of Operations Oak and Anvil are often cited as statistics on the matter. This morning, I listened to the Minister for Justice, Equality...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael Finucane: It would be an understatement to say that the Pallaskenry-Kildimo water supply scheme, which involves an extension of the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme, has dragged on for a considerable time. The water in this location was previously sourced from Bleach Lough and there have been local objections to replacing this with the Shannon Estuary scheme extension, which would use water from...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael Finucane: I am grateful for the Minister's response which outlined the up-to-date position. The water is up to ISO standard. Is it not the policy of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that anyone extracting water should conform to European guidelines? I wish to nail down the veracity of the story propagated in the media to the effect that people who are currently using...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Finucane: As we face a general election it is interesting to note we will be back to using the old pencils again. The Taoiseach said we wanted to get rid of those old pencils. I was surprised to read in the Official Journal of the European Union an advertisement for extra polling booths for the country.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Finucane: Having seen polling booths in operation and the structures involved, I would have thought local authorities and returning officers could examine the logic of the requirement for extra polling booths to cope with the extra population without resorting to putting an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Finucane: It is a rehash.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Finucane: We will welcome new voters.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Finucane: I am indebted to Cathal Goan of RTE who sent me a briefing document on this matter. I was unfamiliar with a great deal of the terminology used and it gave me a opportunity to familiarise myself with it. Fine Gael welcomes the Bill, for what it is, and welcomes the opportunity to discuss broadcasting in Ireland generally. The Minister stated a new framework will be established to allow for...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Senator should look at the website.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: When speaking about crime it is easy to blame the Judiciary, which is why I support Senator O'Toole. Politicians do not have a role after the Judiciary has made decisions. In this context, I remind the House of a time when most politicians were troubled by people with road fines and other such issues. They approached politicians to write to the Minister of the day to request him or her to...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: He has been in Castlepollard.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: On a previous occasion, I raised the possibility that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources might come to the House to address us on the issue of An Post. There is now a sense of urgency in respect of this issue because we all understand we will see the wholesale closure of post offices once the general election campaign is over. I understand An Post is holding off...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Fine Gael has always called it a slush fund.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Acting Leader should clarify the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: We will stick to that.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Since the Minister's presentation and speech on Second Stage, many of us were approached by digital radio mondiale, DRM, providers and yesterday attended a presentation in Buswells Hotel. It was very impressive in terms of improving signals and extending their range across Europe. Data I have received from RTE suggest it will not, however, represent an ideal alternative. Does the Minister...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday, I attended a presentation on DRM. It appeared to be an effective signal as it was shown projecting clearly from Portugal to Cyprus. With DAB, a signal can fail if one passes underneath a bridge. I am not an expert and this is new technology to me, but I would not like RTE to have an initial bias in favour of DAB without having considered the other option if it is more effective....

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I wish to return to the issue of television. Many Irish people who emigrated to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s do not have access to computer television programming or satellites at present. In that context they could be regarded as being media poor. How can we ensure they have access to Irish television in the UK?

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: There is much competition between satellite, terrestrial and cable broadcast providers. On Second Stage, all Members welcomed the necessity to switch from analogue transmission to DTT. However, commercial concerns exist about the provision of the DTT platform and to what degree it could impact on the other commercial operators in this field if State funding were provided. Will the Minister...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It was agreed on the Order of Business this morning that there would be a suspension of at least 30 minutes.