Results 2,081-2,100 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I draw the Leader's attention to yesterday's proposal by the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, for a reduction in VAT on petrol. I understand he spoke with particular reference to the usage of petrol for the distribution of goods. Complaints about the cost of fuel have been heard throughout Europe. There are problems in Britain, for example, and ports are being blocked in France. The cost of...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Is the Leader able to provide an update on the organ donation proposals I suggested some months ago? Perhaps he recalls that in France all citizens are on the register automatically unless they opt out. Moreover, I understand such a proposal is being given serious consideration in Britain. This matter is worthy of discussion, debate and consideration by the Minister and I seek...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Keaveney suggested that for those of us learning Irish, the Seanad should meet in the Donegal Gaeltacht. There are a number of us studying French and I propose that a small delegation consider going to Provence or the Riviera. We would not have any difficulty with that. Senator Walsh referred to the cost of energy. An interesting lecture was given on energy policy last week by a...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: With some exceptions.

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Pearse Doherty.

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan. We are glad to have him in the House on the first occasion since he took up his new post. I have six points to make. When I opened one of my first shops back in the 1960s, I was on the shop floor and I saw my professor, the dean of the faculty of commerce in UCD, doing his shopping. I introduced myself to him and he asked me what I...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Brown has eight minutes.

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: My apologies. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness.

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Dan Brown is a famous writer of novels. I am sure you are not too upset to be confused with him.

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister's speech was from the heart. The programme for Government states vibrant rural communities are vital to the future of our nation. I am sure every Member will speak with enthusiasm for this. Like the Minister, I do not come from a rural background but no one is more than two generations from the country. My mother came from County Armagh where I used to spend my summers as a...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis na daoine a d'fhreastal ar an rang Gaeilge inniu. I congratulate those who have attended. At least three Members of this House are attending French classes. Those who have organised language classes in both French and Irish are to be congratulated on the arrangements that have been made. I was in France yesterday and I was impressed to see a...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the important investment conference taking place in Belfast today. I welcome it in particular when taking into account the request by my colleague, Senator O'Toole, to invite the Taoiseach to the House to talk about the future. I would welcome a debate on Northern Ireland with regard to the opportunities for co-operation between business on both sides of the Border. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I too welcome the former Cathaoirleach, Mr. Brian Mullooly. I was delighted to see him looking so well. He set a great standard in the House which has been followed by other Cathaoirligh since then. I, too, congratulate the Taoiseach on his achievements in office and wish him well for the next stage in his career. I was in Washington during the visit of the Taoiseach last week and was very...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages. (7 May 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I congratulate the Minister of State on the work he has put into having this Bill passed with such speed. I was unable to be here last week for the debate but I heard that he was able to respond and be sympathetic to the views even of those opposed to the Bill. I congratulate the Minister of State on the passing of this Bill.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I sympathise with Senator Ormonde on her hoarse voice.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Standing Orders are clear on this point. No Members indicating a wish to speak were present when I called the Minister to reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: The Irish Association of Supported Employment is an organisation that encourages and promotes the development of people with disabilities into work. It has an interesting challenge. Some 800 members of the association work with 5,000 people who do not get the opportunity to work and today is their job shadow day. I have been involved with the association for some time and have a job...

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (22 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: I suspect the Minister has a death wish because anybody who undertakes what she has undertaken in the past few years and agrees to go ahead with it is pitting himself or herself against such an impossible task. In recent times in Ireland we have tended to turn the spotlight on the negatives rather than accentuating the positives. An enormous amount of good work is taking place with patients...

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (22 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: Yes, one is certainly concerned about that. There are many different kinds of patient care we can undertake. In the past, we assumed care had to take place in hospital and I am delighted to see the changes that are taking place in that context. I remember an experience I had in the former Hume Street Hospital. Staff at the hospital realised that large numbers of those patients who were...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Feargal Quinn: The Irish people have had a strong record for many years in terms of assisting the Third World and of providing aid. As Senator de Búrca stated, today is Earth Day. We should take this opportunity to remind ourselves of the recently published statistic that more than 1 billion of the 6 billion people on Earth live on less than $1 per day yet food is increasing in price by approximately...