Results 221-240 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: That may be, but his point was that he grew up with a mother and father. When he went to his father to explain that he was gay, the father found it very difficult to take, while his mother was very sympathetic. He was of the opinion that every child would be better having a mother and a father. That has certainly influenced me to think in a way that I might not otherwise have thought....

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and the legislation. I am puzzled at the speed with which the Government acted when the Court of Appeal made its views known. Since I came into the House, I have criticised how long it takes to get things done, so in this instance I say "Well done". I question whether we might leave loopholes in legislation when we move too quickly. While I am always in favour of...

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I am delighted he is here. The Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015 is very important and I hope we have a good discussion on it. We now know from a decision of the High Court in 2011, which is just four years ago, that where one joint tenant kills another, the killer gets to keep his or her share in a jointly owned property. This is deeply...

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister for his considered and fair-minded response to the Bill. He certainly gave it his attention. However, I am concerned that things appear to take a long time to get done, not just in this House but in both houses.

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I am concerned when I hear dates mentioned. The Construction Contracts Bill is one of the Bills I introduced some years ago. It was enacted after three years but it has not yet been signed into law, so it is not performing as intended. It greatly concerns me when I see how long it takes to get something done or for something to occur. On the other hand, I get the sense that there might be...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: The terrible news we heard this morning about an elderly couple in their 80s in Churchtown suspected to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning is a real reminder to us of the job we have here. In April 2014, I introduced a Bill to ensure all buildings would have protection against carbon monoxide. The then Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, stated he would take steps in that direction in regard...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: An Action Plan for Jobs 2015: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (10 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: Níl mórán Gaeilge agam; therefore, I will speak in English. The Minister is to be congratulated on the employment figures. Employment levels have improved hugely and the Companies Act 2014 is going to be of considerable assistance in reducing the difficulties experienced by start-up companies in seeking to commence operations. There are still problems when it comes to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: An Action Plan for Jobs 2015: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (10 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I know the Minister's heart is in the right place and what he is trying to achieve. I simply believe more could be done.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I was a little concerned about Senator Paul Coghlan's reference to Commissioner Hogan, who was taking steps at European level to limit the amount of competition between the producers and the supermarkets. Competition has been of huge benefit to this country, and to the marketplace as a whole. When I first went into business we were not allowed to cut the price of anything. If we cut the...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to add a word of support for Senator Norris's point. I imagine this is already covered in some form or other. I cannot believe that we would have legislation in place that did not enable people with a disability to attend. I imagine the Minister of State will be able to say to us that there is no need for this for a given reason, but I look forward to hearing it. I support Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I add my voice to Senator Norris's concern but I would like further details because I have only just heard the news this morning. It may be part of something bigger, but if such a thing is happening, I would share Senator Norris's concern. I am not sure how we should handle it and maybe it is not for today but it will need to be addressed. In the 22 years I have been here, I have been very...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I mention my concern but I also understand there may be a technical difficulty about how we handle it. I will leave that to the Leader to decide. I was impressed during the week to hear and read what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, had to say about an open discussion leading up to the budget next year. Last year Senator Healy Eames proposed a Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 13 be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (3 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Succession Act 1965 so as to provide for the assignment of property rights deriving from a joint tenancy in circumstances where one co-owner is unlawfully killed by another co-owner and for that purpose to amend the Succession Act 1965.I believe the Bill is worthy of consideration quite urgently because the number...

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (3 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: Next Wednesday.

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House. We saw a lot of Deputy Donohoe when he was a Member of this House but we do not see quite as much of him nowadays because he is doing a lot of work elsewhere. We need to put the National Car Testing Service in a wider context. Its main aim is to prevent accidents. Does the Minister have figures on how many accidents are caused by mechanical failure?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Low Pay and the Living Wage: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Mar 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I think I will upset the six witnesses by saying a minimum wage is not the way to go. The witnesses should accept that each time the union demands more money from an employer, it weakens the chance of that employer taking on more employees. That cannot be in the unions’ interest or the employees’ interest. It is much more important they have a job than that they take so much...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2015)

Feargal Quinn: I am delighted about the attention being given in recent days to problems in the Border area, particularly the fuel smuggling that has gone on. I hope something comes of it. We have debated this before and have asked for debates on it before. It really is bandit country up there, both north and immediately south of the Border. It seems they can get away with it with impunity. To what...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Feargal Quinn: Amendment No. 58 does not go in quite the same direction as Senator Norris's amendment. The amendment contains a mistake, which I will mention before Senator Norris points it out. My amendment contains the words "less than 10 employees" but Senator Norris will advise me that should I should use the word "fewer" rather than "less". The word "less" refers to bulk and "fewer" refers to...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Feargal Quinn: There should be a difference between a small company and a large one. A small company with fewer than ten employees should not have to suffer the same fine or fixed penalty as a larger company. If we are going to succeed in developing small business, a goal for which the Minister has worked hard, we should ensure companies with fewer than ten employees are not forced to pay the same fines...