Results 141-160 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Leader is very honest.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: I expressed my views on the Order of Business this morning when an amendment was proposed regarding the constitutionality of the Bill. As I have heard other Members speak about this aspect, I will not deliberate on it further. However, there is concern and it is possible the legislation will be challenged. My viewpoint is not the view of my party. I have already told its members that I...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: Does that mean it would not be necessary to include it in the legislation and that it would happen automatically?

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: He or she might have to return the gratuity.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: I assure the Minister that he will find many different views on the issue. I would be happy if the guidelines to county managers were strengthened to ensure they accord respect to Deputies and Senators when they make representations to the council. There is nothing to stop me contacting council officials, many of whom I have known for years.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: I know that.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: It is the responsibility of the Minister to ensure in the guidelines that this is not a matter of discretion for county managers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: I am glad Senator Ryan referred to the issue I raised yesterday, the decision by the Garda Commissioner to write to the National Safety Council stating that it was at the discretion of the Garda drivers of Ministers to decide at what speed they should drive. At the time I said it was a very bad example to set. Some 6,000 motorists have received penalty points since the system was introduced....

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: We all have cars of our own, in many cases powerful cars. We have moderated our feet on the pedals in order to conform to the speed limits. There is no need under any circumstances for a Minister's car to speed. I respect the Leader for her positive response yesterday in agreeing that Ministers should lead by example. If the Taoiseach wants to make a positive statement, he should ignore the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Michael Finucane: No. I want the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to come to the House and announce that the scheme is being reintroduced.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: Following 11 September 2001, many restrictions have been introduced in the United States and many Irish emigrants are affected by the changes. As nine Ministers will visit the United States for St. Patrick's Day, could they do something about the position in which these illegal emigrants find themselves? Will they ask Mr. Bush to consider an amnesty for these people, particularly those who...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I thank the officials for the briefing they gave me on the Bill. The events to be designated cover a wide range of sports. I do not have to state how important sport is to the people and we all have our favourite sport.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I congratulate Senator Terry on tabling this opportune motion. I listened on my monitor to the Minister when he said he hoped this debate would be constructive and that there would not be point scoring. There must be a maturity in the Seanad which does not express itself in the Dáil. Having read the debate on the justice motion regarding alcohol tabled last week by Fine Gael I do not think...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I am not saying anybody from County Kerry would be involved. There are plenty of places closer to home such as Limerick Prison and Spike Island to accommodate them. As Senator Kett said, he was accommodated in a prison in Dublin, where he served. In the year this measure was introduced, 1925, Stalin removed Trotsky from his power base in Russia, Tennessee banned the teaching of the theory of...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I supported the merger of two ports because I felt it was for the overall benefit of the Shannon Estuary. At the time the then Minister for Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey, seduced me to a degree with what he said.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: He said a lot of commercial and business people would be put on boards around the country. I hoped he would do so for Foynes. In fact, of the 12 members of the Shannon Foynes Port Company, six are Fianna Fáil councillors. Members need not talk to me about harbour boards.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: I know exactly what happens and will conclude on that point.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator would be apologising all week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: To be helpful to Senator Ó Murchú on the vexatious issue of ground rent I wish to point out that in 1996 the spokesman on law reform, Dr. Michael Woods, moved a Private Members' Bill on this issue. It is still there and I think it could be resuscitated by the Government to activate this project.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Leader was at one time Minister for Education and I know she is very sympathetic to this and something must be done.