Results 1-20 of 5,390 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl in 'Dáil debates'

An Bord Bia (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2004)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank Deputy Moynihan for sharing time. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill, the principal provision of which is the amalgamation of Bord Glas with Bord Bia. I acknowledge the valuable work that has been done by Bord Glas since its establishment in nurturing the horticultural sector and recognise the special contribution of a Member of this House,...

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (19 Oct 2004)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome this opportunity to talk about the Water Services Bill 2003, but first I congratulate Deputy Roche on his appointment as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I have known him for approximately 20 years and know that he has a substantial commitment to and knowledge of local government. I have a feeling he will distinguish himself in this role, as he did...

Voluntary Housing. (2 Mar 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter. Voluntary housing has been one of the success stories of the past decade and it is an area of activity with which I am proud to have been involved. We are living in a protracted period of unprecedented levels of housing construction and it is important not to lose sight of the important role played by the voluntary...

Road Traffic (Mobile Telephony) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Mar 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish to share time with Deputies O'Flynn, Ellis, Wilkinson and Glennon.

Road Traffic (Mobile Telephony) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Mar 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am pleased to have an opportunity to join in the debate on the Road Traffic (Mobile Telephony) Bill 2006 as introduced by Deputy Olivia Mitchell. I congratulate her and her party for this constructive use of Private Members' time. Clearly, in the light of the ongoing fatalities on our roads, it is incumbent on us, as public representatives, to avail of every possible occasion to highlight...

Schools Recognition. (16 May 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Gaelscoil Chill Dara, established by a group of highly motivated and enthusiastic parents in the mid-1990s, has gone from strength to strength in the intervening period, not least since the school moved to take up occupation of the former Sundai school, which was purchased by the Department of Education and Science during the tenure of Deputy Woods as Minister. Sundai, a purpose built private...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish to share time with Deputy Grealish.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill. I agree with the Minister when he described this Bill as among the most important legislation to be introduced this term. I will try, in the course of my brief remarks, to stick to the provisions of the Bill. There is no doubt that the public is demanding the delivery of high...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We must ask ourselves whether these changes are worthwhile, and if they will improve on the delivery of infrastructural projects. I believe they will and I support the Bill. I look forward to its early implementation.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, for sharing time with me and congratulate her on the major contribution she has made to the Department's work. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute briefly to this important debate on the 2007 Estimates. It is important for me to acknowledge the outstanding work of my fellow Kildare man,...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (23 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Tá áthas orm deis a fháil cúpla focal a rá ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Caithfidh go dtugann sé an-spreagadh don Aire a chloisint go bhfuil tacaíocht ag teacht ó gach cúinne den Teach don Bhille. I am delighted to welcome the Child Care (Amendment) Bill. I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the officials in his Department for the fine work they have done...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Tréaslaím leis an Aire agus an Aire Stáit leis an obair a rinne siad ar an Bhille seo. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important regulatory legislation, which will affect the provision of electricity for years to come. The Bill provides for the establishment of a single competitive wholesale electricity market on the island of Ireland. Regulation will be...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: ——who moved quickly to increase the free fuel allowance by €5 from €9 to €14. This increase benefits over 270,000 people. He also increased by over €200 the natural gas allowance under the household benefits package to the 26,000 welfare and other recipients who benefit from the scheme, as well as more than doubling the kilowatt hours freely available to pensioners from 1674...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Of course, the first recourse of householders is to public representatives. When lights fail to be turned on, it is the public representative, not the ESB, that is blamed. The repairs, or lack thereof, are a running sore across my constituency. I am aware of failed public lights being left for over a year without a visit from a repair crew. A town in my constituency waited for more than...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2006)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: ——and while much has been done, more remains to be done. We must be encouraged by the widespread and enthusiastic support for the all-Ireland project. I am confident that the challenges ahead will be met. The Minister must be encouraged by the positive remarks from Members on all sides of the House and their enthusiastic support for this legislation. I commend this Bill to the House.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (6 Feb 2007)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue for Kildare on the Adjournment of the House and I thank the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, for being here at this late hour to address the issue. Kildare town, with a population of approximately 9,000 people, is serviced by an antiquated waste water treatment plant...

Finance Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute, albeit briefly, on the third Finance Bill of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen. It comes in the aftermath of the presentation of the Book of Estimates and a successful, balanced and well crafted budget. The Minister has already set out the aims of the Bill, which places emphasis on the promotion of enterprise, jobs and investment, the...

Finance Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: While watching the programme I was reminded of a comment made on radio by a Fine Gael Party spokesman that a monkey could run the economy. The hard work, commitment, initiative and genius of the Irish people, operating in partnership with a government that has provided leadership, foresight and prudent management, has brought us to our current position. We should be loth to do anything that...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: May I share time with Deputy Cooper-Flynn?

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the opportunity to contribute, albeit briefly, on this wide-ranging Bill which will provide for the implementation of improvements in social welfare payments announced in budget 2007 and introduce the excellent proposal in respect of a special rate of carer's allowance to be paid to those in receipt of other social welfare payments. It is a ground-breaking initiative taken by the...