Results 1,421-1,440 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Fine Gael will support the passage of the Bill. The Minister has stated he is not in favour of the privatisation or dismantling of the ESB. Our experiences with Eircom were unfortunate, a matter to which we referred when discussing ComReg. Harsh words were spoken about the difficulties consumers have with Eircom with regard to connection and repair. It is a classic example of how...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Minister responded well on "Morning Ireland".

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Minister will pass on the torch.

Seanad: Poultry Industry (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I wish to emphasise what has occurred in respect of Castlemahon Poultry Products Limited. For many years, west County Limerick was synonymous with poultry processing, but a short period has witnessed the ending of that industry. Some 500 jobs have been lost by Kerry Foods and Castlemahon Foods, leading to hundreds of...

Seanad: Poultry Industry (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I am well aware of the legal background to this and the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967, 1971, 1979 and 2003. The legal position on redundancy was adapted over the passage of time. The Minister of State says he has no legal powers to divert from the social insurance fund. I am aware of that, but I am asking that the situation be reviewed in relation to the Act itself, to see whether it could...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I wish to express my concern regarding potential job losses in the mid-west region, particularly at Procter & Gamble and Thompson Scientific, which is based in Limerick. Only a few years ago there was a major announcement about the opening of Thompson Scientific which was hailed as a firm with great potential for the Limerick area. Many of the employees in Thompson Scientific are software...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: The bureaucracy is infuriating them.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: If the Deputy Leader knocks on the doors of farmers he will hear what they are saying. They are furious.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I have raised the issue of decentralisation and Newcastle West many times since the programme was first announced. I raise the matter in a different context today because the decentralisation project in Newcastle West appears scheduled for some time in 2008. Commitments were given to many staff based...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I am disappointed with the Minister of State's response, which confirms my expectations in this matter. Notwithstanding the professional advice offered by the Revenue, I do not agree that staff could not be relocated temporarily before transferring to the permanent location in Newcastle West. I am confident premises would be found in the town. The Revenue Commissioners have pursued a...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I live in Newcastle West and am part of the community. I was not involved in the discussions on this move but I assure the Minister of State that the staff who attended last night's emergency meeting are certainly not in agreement with what he said. They are absolutely disgusted and disappointed with the Revenue on this issue.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (7 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I will convey what the Minister of State said to those involved.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: Amendments Nos. 1, 9, 29 to 31, inclusive, 38, 44, 45, 61, 62 and 103 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed?

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (28 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I recently visited Ballylanders primary school and met the principal and other staff members. There was extreme disappointment that they were unsuccessful in their application for the grant for national schools under the small schools scheme 2007. Ballylanders is a fast-growing community which in recent times has seen a rapid expansion of staff in all three of its local factories. Part of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (28 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I do not expect the Minister of State to know when the appeal will be heard but can he reassure me that the Department of Education and Science will notify me of a date?

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (28 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I trust it will be in touch with me before 15 May or whatever is the date of the general election.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: He is staying with the same cabal.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: I have often raised the issue of electricity costs and the lack of activity when the market was liberalised some years ago. I pointed out that domestic consumers have no option but to pay the enhanced rate while commercial users may enjoy a degree of competition. I welcome the decision to separate the grid from the main service provider in this country to stimulate competition. People...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Michael Finucane: There will be no complimentary copy of Magill for Senator Leyden this year.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Finucane: As I understand it, the Cathaoirleach will not be in the House tomorrow and as it will be the final day of the current Seanad I wish to pay tribute to his stewardship during his 30 years as a Member of the Seanad. He has given tremendous service to his country. Like the Cathaoirleach, I am bowing out on this occasion. I wish him well in his retirement. I know he will remain as active as...