Results 1,401-1,420 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I move recommendation No. 5a: In page 122, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following subsection: "(2) That the VAT Payment Deadline for businesses be extended to 90 days.". My reason for introducing this recommendation is because the largest challenge facing many businesses is liquidity. This recommendation would help to provide liquidity at only a tiny cost to the Exchequer. Every...

Seanad: Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Bill 2009: Second Stage (20 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: First, I wish to state that I have been a customer of Anglo Irish Bank and that I have two property investments that are managed by it. This is not a welcome Bill, as no one wished to see a Bill that would make the citizens and taxpayers of Ireland the reluctant owners of a bank that was not worth what they were paying for it. However, we do not have a choice in this regard, as the failure...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I express my appreciation to Senator Butler for his words of thanks for cashing his cheque back in the 1970s. I worried about it at the time, but——

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I am not quite so sure I support his belief that we should take our time in regard to the economy. I know we are not going back to talk about the economy now.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I am sure we should be cautious. However, there is a danger that we could, first, believe that it is not a big problem and, second, talk ourselves into a depression. There are success stories even in bad times just as there are failures during good times. Let us be sure we take this step cautiously — I like the word "cautiously" and ensure we concentrate on something Senator Alex White...

Seanad: Industrial Development Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I was talking to the Minister's opposite number in the George W. Bush Administration, namely, the Secretary for commerce or employment, and it was interesting to hear her use words not unlike those expressed by the Minister. She said that her duty was not to create jobs but to create the environment in which others can create the jobs. That is an important message...

Seanad: Industrial Development Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I took the Minister's place and took a photograph but the IASE still wants to have a photograph taken with her later. I raise this issue because those involved are among those who are sometimes left behind when jobs are created. We must find a way to address this issue. Another area on which we must concentrate is foreign direct investment. I am pleased to note the Minister is not losing...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú in his promotion of the concept of the Seanad playing a larger part in regard to Northern Ireland, whether by way of debate, as in the past, or in the manner which the Senator and, I believe, Senator O'Toole proposed. There is a danger that we will accept peace in Northern Ireland without recognition of the horrors which took place over the years. We...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the words he used in his speech. I want to concentrate on three points he made. He said, "We must lower our cost base as rapidly as possible and become the highly competitive economy we once were, rebuilding a platform for future export-led growth." I entirely agree. One of the things that disappoints me about today's debate is...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: It is fascinating. Of all newspapers, it is remarkable of the Financial Times to praise Iceland and to suggest that it deserves to be given a chance and an opportunity. Iceland did not join the European Union, yet the article suggests we should fast-track it into the European Union to show what can be done. I believe we will not get such support from Europe unless we vote "Yes" in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: A debate on energy prices would be well worthwhile and there is an urgent need for it. I am a great believer in competition, which is something from which our economy has benefited. However, I am at a loss to understand what has happened with regard to the regulator. I am opposed to and concerned about over-regulation. The energy regulator stated some years ago that the important thing...

Seanad: Education Matters: Statements (10 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Mullen for allowing me time to say a few words. The Minister's speech is well worthwhile in spreading as widely as possible his intentions. A few years ago I had the opportunity to speak in South America about the Irish success story. We look back on it now as the good years. One of the books I read was a book about the success of the Celtic tiger written by two people...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: The real danger behind what we learned yesterday about Irish Life & Permanent and Anglo Irish Bank is the damage it does to the confidence in all Irish institutions——

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: ——especially abroad and particularly following a Supreme Court decision on insider trading made in recent years. Those I meet from outside Ireland cast serious doubts about the credibility of Irish institutions and Irish regulation. It was very interesting to hear Commissioner Charlie McCreevy on Monday morning speaking about the need for regulation at European level because individual...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I am not just disappointed, I am infuriated by it. Therefore, I support the proposal that, even if it is only for half an hour, the Minister comes to the House and, to a certain extent, we look for an apology from him.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: He came here yesterday and spoke about funding but did not tell us that at the same time he was cutting the special needs budget. On this basis, I support Senators Bacik and Healy Eames in their call for a debate, even if it is for only half an hour and if all the Minister states is the reason he did not tell us yesterday. I did not know what he would do. I wish to draw the attention of the...

Seanad: Child Poverty: Motion (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Norris has eight minutes.

Seanad: Child Poverty: Motion (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is a very sad debate because we have heard so many sad stories. Figures are interesting but they do not touch, to any extent, on the significant poverty there is out there. We recognise that. I have many figures I was going to talk about, but we have had so many figures already I would prefer not to do so. I would like to talk about the...

Seanad: Child Poverty: Motion (11 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Coghlan referred to the strange silence of the pension and investment communities about the most recent affair and the insider trading which took place last year. The House will debate the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 today. I am concerned that we are being strangely silent at the time we should be debating the issue at the forefront of all our minds. If we fail to make the...