Results 1,401-1,420 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: On a point of clarification, the point made about Gardasil yesterday was that it was not available on the medical card scheme and neither was it available on the drug refund scheme. The point was made by all sides that in many cases people on medical cards would be forced to borrow money to proceed with the drug. That is the point that was being made. We all know it is available on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I wish to clarify the point because the Senator seemed to misconstrue it. I agree it would be a good idea to have a discussion about the Moriarty tribunal. The report was released immediately after Christmas when both Houses were in recess and there was no opportunity for politicians to discuss the report. At the time of his statement on the matter, the Taoiseach indicated that everyone...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The speaker is the culprit.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Senator is now free to switch off his mobile telephone.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It is disgraceful. He is not present to defend himself.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Of course my party will assist and facilitate the early passage of the Bill into law. On many occasions the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, of which I am a member, has had ComReg before it and ComReg has been subject to a certain amount of criticism. I am rather surprised that the Minister, in the dying days of this Government, is introducing legislation of...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I call the Minister of State to order.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I wish to share my time with Senator Brennan.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It is a great show of solidarity. This issue relates to Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, County Limerick. Recently, a deputation of parents met me to express their concern at the lack of activity in replacing the old school with a new structure. The existing school was built over 20 years ago and at that stage it consisted of five classrooms, a staff of 12 and a student population of 86. It...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (15 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State said, "The Department of Education and Science is currently preparing the long-term projected enrolment on which the school's accommodation needs will be based and will shortly notify the VEC of same." Does he believe the VEC will be notified within a month?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: He keeps on mentioning "slump".

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: He is the biggest slump in the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Senator Minihan's party has presided over this system for ten years.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I was present in the House when the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, announced that the break-up of Aer Rianta would represent a new dawn for Cork and Shannon airports, which would henceforth operate as separate entities. He assured Members, in justification for the dismantling of Aer Rianta, that both airports would become debt-free. A Minister is usually quick to contribute to...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The consultants——

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Could the lack of definition of the regulator's powers in this regard result in a blurring of who is responsible subsequently?

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I presume the Minister's reference to telephone embraces mobile telephones.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It is true and the Senator knows it.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Late last year a committee of departmental and other experts was established to investigate electromagnetic fields and health concerns related to mobile phone masts and it is due to report in June. Yesterday Senator Scanlan mentioned An Bord Pleanála and this week in Kilmeady in County Limerick, where the council had turned down a mobile phone mast, the decision was overturned by An Bord...