Results 2,341-2,360 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: The reason I propose this amendment is that we have a seriously dysfunctional method of collecting our television licence. The effect of it is to waste a large proportion of the money collected. That money is lost to broadcasting. A further effect is that a large and increasing number of people succeed in evading payment of the licence fee altogether. That creates unfairness and makes...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister of State for his consideration. I did not necessarily expect that the amendment would be accepted at this time. However, it should be noted that the amendment did not outline what should be done. It suggested the commission should have regard to the manner in which it is done. I feel frustrated when I encounter surmountable inefficiencies and I believe this to be an...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Henry for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, of whom we expect big things. We know that he will take action in respect of everything said during this debate. I wish to focus on what I regard as the four big surprises in the new national development plan. The first of these is that the plan, which is far and away the largest ever contemplated in...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I support amendment No. 26. I wish to declare an interest in that I have a small investment in Channel 6 and I know how frustrated those in charge of the station are regarding the fact that it was assigned channel 223 on the electronic programming guide on Monday last. If we are governed by the marketplace and by what customers want, I presume those responsible for making a decision in this...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I did not realise Senator Mooney's suggestion could be a potential solution to the problem. A cousin of mine who lives in Newcastle, County Down, regularly contacts me to express her frustration that although the town is close to the Border, she cannot receive RTE. It may be due to the physical proximity of the Mourne Mountains or the Cooley Mountains. The various solutions proposed by...

Seanad: Citizens Information Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I also welcome the Bill, which I regard as a worthwhile step in the direction of treating, with the proper concern, the needs of those of our fellow citizens who have disabilities of one kind or another. I have got out of the habit of using the word "disability" and I almost swore that I would not use it anymore. I was very impressed by the efforts of those involved...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I believe Edmund Burke stated that for evil to thrive, all it needs is for good men to remain silent. I mention this because of the courage and bravery of a young woman from the Congo that was reported in the newspapers yesterday. She gave evidence of an outrageous assault that she had endured for a number of years, having been brought into Ireland by the perpetrator. I raise this matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: It horrifies me to think that party political divisions might arise in this regard as this should not be the case. If it pertains to the protection of children or the protection of individuals, as Senator Norris noted, this is the place in which the issue should be debated. Members should find time to so do, rather than rushing ahead with a referendum.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This has been an interesting debate because one can hear different views expressed on all sides. The Bill further strengthens the consumer's legal powers in the marketplace and its objective is to ensure that the consumer is protected against sharp practices. We should not, however go overboard on this. I have some difficulty with Senator Cox...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: Yes. However, we must also ensure the behaviour in which people engage is fair and that they do not engage in misleading practices. I wish to deal now with airline and hotel prices. When low-cost air travel first appeared, members of the public were mislead with regard to the prices they would be charged. Some airlines advertise extremely low fares but consumers often end up paying a great...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Feargal Quinn: The use of the English language is interesting. The Central Applications Office this morning stated that the Minister yesterday asked whether it "could" extend. The CAO answered that, legally, it cannot. It then claimed it was not asked by the Minister "to" extend. Talk about being customer friendly. Students are being failed at probably the most stressful time they have experienced,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Feargal Quinn: With so many items of serious concern, it seems wrong at this stage to raise an issue like banking, but there is a great need to have a debate on banking. The Polish competition authority last week banned the use of what we call interchange fees for the issuing of credit cards. I am sure interchange fees exist in many European countries although not in others. I understand the Polish...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Yesterday there was news of the highest inflation rate we have had for some time. It reached 4.4% in November, up from 3.9% in October. Last month the Independent Senators put down a Private Members' motion expressing concern about inflation but got no real response from the Minister. It was just before the budget, and the budget increased inflation again. The decision to increase current...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He is here so often his wife must wonder if he has a girlfriend in the Seanad. It is a great surprise when one turns on electricity or a tap and no electricity or water is provided. We have grown used to electricity and water always being available. We have also become accustomed to picking up the phone and a garda...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House. He is a regular attendee. It is difficult to follow Senator Ormonde who speaks with such passion. I agree entirely with her, especially on the coverage of the death of Liam Lawlor, for which I have not seen the apology that was due, and also in regard to yesterday's coverage. I will not speak with the strength of feeling that Senator Ormonde has. On a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I do not wish to be a scaremonger but a report published yesterday on the preparedness in the United Kingdom, United States and Holland for a flu pandemic would frighten the wits out of anyone. It hypothesises 21 million cases in two weeks in Britain alone and 100,000 deaths. I assume our Department of Health and Children is prepared somewhat for such an event.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: The report indicates that when using anti-virals, it is important to ensure they are implemented within 48 hours at onset of illness, or else it is too late. The report was published yesterday but I had not heard about it before. I hope attention has been drawn to it and that we are taking steps to deal with the issues raised within it.

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their attention to the details in and queries raised on this Bill. Some of my words may have appeared anti-official but that was not my intention, apart from being pro-democracy. Senator Mooney touched on my concerns which stretch to the overall EU ideal and the danger that we will lose the trust and confidence of the citizens. There must...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: While I appreciate Senator Ormonde's words and I am convinced the Minister of State intends that, he is Minister of State for the moment. We are passing legislation that gives a future Minister the opportunity to introduce statutory instruments instead of primary law. The Minister of State has correctly described it as more "effective". While it will be effective, it will not fulfil...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Bradford's proposal. The questions of retrospection and validation of a statutory instrument are clear in this. I am opposed in principle to the effect of the statutory instruments being used. I know Senator Ormonde has already accused me of making a Second Stage speech on this matter. However, the truth is that ministerial orders are, in effect, invisible. They are...