Results 181-200 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator O'Rourke did not reveal any name last week.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: Say nothing about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: Poor old Ivan lost his job over a few cans of paint.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator O'Toole spoke about the telecommunications issues being faced by Eircom and Smart Telecom, which is an issue I raised yesterday. As Senator O'Toole said, people should not be surprised by the attitude and approach being taken by Babcock & Brown in this regard. I am surprised by another aspect of the matter, however. Regulators have been established across a wide basis. As I...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: Did Senator Mansergh hear that? What does Senator Mansergh make of that statistic?

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Annual Report 2005: Statements (3 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the 2005 annual report of the National Development Finance Agency. The agency is now almost four years old. It has stated that one of its principal functions is to advise State authorities on the optimum financing of priority public investment projects by applying commercial standards in evaluating financial risks and costs. Its overriding objective is...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2006)

Michael Finucane: I support everything Senator Leyden has said. This is a classic example of the consequences of privatisation with the recent arrival of Babcock & Brown from Australia. They know that Smart Telecom is in trouble and are attempting to destroy it with a highly irresponsible action. The regulator is trying to increase competition in the market. Eircom should not forget that the taxpayer...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator Leyden referred to the increase in energy costs. Many of us fear the projected increases in electricity and gas prices from 1 January 2007. Senator Leyden also referred to the drop in oil prices. The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will possibly extend an invitation to the regulator to meet with us to discuss this matter. If one looks at an ESB...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: It would be much more credible than Government policy.

Seanad: Company Closures (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: I wish to share my time with Senator Brennan. It is disappointing that a liquidator has been appointed to Castlemahon Foods Limited. We have to remain optimistic that the liquidator might be able to save some of the jobs or that an alternative owner can be found. Castlemahon Co-op was established in 1920 and entered poultry production in 1960. This internationally recognised brand has been...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: I acknowledge the work of the Independent Senators in bringing this worthy motion before the House. The previous speaker referred to the amendment. The amendment does not say anything tangible about the future or about whatever success has been achieved. The Government has failed in the provision of broadband to ensure Ireland keeps up with the immense technological growth that has seen...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: It is most unusual.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: On the issue of a leak, the Tánaiste selectively leaked information when it suited him and Senator Ó Murchú knows to what I refer. On the accession of the new countries to the EU, whose immigrant population have contributed to the success of our economy, only three countries co-operated fully in their accession, namely Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Previous speakers have...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: It is Government policy.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Michael Finucane: Senator Moynihan is in the United States.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Finucane: I agree with Senator Leyden's first point, but not his second.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Finucane: I do not agree with his other hare-brained idea.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Finucane: I cannot let the opportunity pass to wish the French the best of luck in the World Cup final.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Leyden's first point on the register of electors. We had a comprehensive discussion on it and various suggestions were put forward at the time. I regret the difficulty experienced by a number of people, many of whom are graduates, in finding summer jobs. They could have been deployed during the summer time to update the register of electors by calling to houses from 6 p.m....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Finucane: In this case people have been waiting for two and a half years. This would be one way of dealing with the issue so that delays do not become a perennial problem.