Results 2,381-2,400 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I am concerned about the 3.9% figure because it is what concerns the citizens of this country. It also concerns those who set up businesses here and hope to expand. Earlier, I expressed my concern about complacency. I have heard sounds of complacency coming from the Government side, with Senators saying not to worry because everything was all right. The Government amendment is the...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I do not think we have been below them in recent years.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: We were the same as them once, but every other year we were above them.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: The cumulative effect of that is that we will make ourselves uncompetitive if we are not careful. The purpose of this motion is to ensure that we are careful. It reminds us that there is an elephant in the room and, although we may not wish to acknowledge it, this debate may enable us to acknowledge the challenge to some degree. I hope that will be taken into account. One or two younger...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I thank all Senators who have contributed to this debate. The reason for tabling the motion was to make inflation a top priority for the Government in the forthcoming budget. I thank Senator Leyden for his kind words, apart from when he referred to inflation as the Government's major priority. If the amendment had said "major priority", rather than "top priority" there would have been no...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: We are very proud of that success but an effort is being made to ensure it continues. Recently, I was fortunate to be involved in a number of international meetings. People from around the world collared me and asked how we did it, how we succeeded, what caused the success and if there were any threats to it. I was happy to talk about that success but I was also willing to say that there...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: That is the way we fiddle with figures.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I move: That Seanad Éireann, mindful of the crucial impact of inflation on the nation's competitiveness and the recent figures which show that our inflation rate continues to run well above the EU average, calls on the Minister of Finance to make the containment of inflation during 2007 the top priority in his forthcoming budget. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance,...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House. I also welcome the Bill. We debated the matter earlier in the year and I will not repeat what we covered on that occasion. In 1993, on one of my first occasions to speak in the Seanad, I spoke on a prisons Bill. I asked rhetorically what was the purpose of prison. Reasons for prisons are punishment, to...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I never thought of that. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I had not thought of that. Let us do that if the university seats will get the benefit. I am not sure who would do well out of them. I am influenced by a meeting I had last week. I like name dropping, and this meeting was with someone who perhaps might be a future president of the United States, Rudi Giuliani. We spoke at a conference and during the question and answer session, he listed...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Senator O'Meara referred to the Privacy Bill. It is vital that we learn more about various matters. The European Union is attempting to force every member state to publish the names of all recipients of farm subsidies and the amount of subsidy in each case. This is a fascinating proposal because I gather that if the measure is adopted, we will learn how much taxpayers pay towards farm...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: ——it would be worthwhile to publish them.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: If there is any truth in the figures——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: In that case, I would be glad if they were corrected. I am reminded of the campaign to buy Irish goods which ceased some time ago. With the recent arrival of the Celtic tiger and increased wealth, we took our eyes off the ball and failed to consider the importance of buying Irish goods. Perhaps we need to change our approach. While the State is prevented from engaging in this type of...

Seanad: Homelessness: Motion (15 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senators Norris and Henry for allowing me to share their time. I support the motion and the opportunity to have this debate. I was in Brazil last week to explain the Irish economic miracle. While I was there I never mentioned homelessness because I am ashamed that I cannot explain how such a successful country can have a solvable problem like this. I have been trying to do...

Seanad: UN Committee Report on Children in Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me the opportunity to speak on this. I welcome the Minister of State and I am very pleased that he is handling this issue. He has grabbed a hold of his portfolio and has shown his interest in the topic. I also wish to start by applauding the process under discussion. It is right that when we sign up to an international convention, we should be held...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: The United Nations has designated next Sunday, 19 November World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. It is an ideal opportunity for the country to focus the attention of all new road users. However, I understand that there is no official Government plan to recognise it. It is outrageous that we should forgo the opportunity to draw attention to the occasion. One man who lost his...

Seanad: Disability Act 2005 Sectoral Plans: Statements (2 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter and I welcome the Minister for State, Deputy Fahey, to the House. He is taking a step towards the achievement of a very worthwhile goal. I was especially impressed with the point made by Senator Kett that we would be surprised at the contribution which people with ability make. I use the word "ability" because of my acquaintance with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: May I comment on Senator Mansergh's reference to corporation tax? I agree it is a real reminder of the benefits we have enjoyed in this part of the country and of the disadvantage the Northern part of the country has experienced by being connected to the United Kingdom. Whether devolved government would give them some ability to break that link in the future is interesting from that point of...