Results 2,401-2,420 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Official Languages Act 2003: Statements (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Is cuimhin liom seanfhocal ón scoil: éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú iasc, listen to the sound of the river and you will catch a fish. It is a saying that I have used in my lifetime, listening to the public whether they are customers or citizens. This debate is attracting a lot of crit I supported the thinking behind the Bill for the same reason...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I propose to share my time with Senator Norris, by agreement.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: This motion is disingenuous, in so far as it attempts to focus attention on the specific issue of rural housing while ignoring the much more important and urgent problem of housing on a national basis. It is an act of political opportunism on behalf of Government Members to cherry-pick the parts of an issue which suit them while closing their eyes to the areas where the record of this...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I add my voice to those calling for a debate on global warming. It seems to be such a huge task that we have felt that there is nothing we can do about it, but Sir Nicholas Stern and Al Gore have shown that this is in the hands of each citizen and that we can do something about it. However, there are opportunities and not just threats from global warming. I live on the coast and I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: They are in here.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I mention this because we had an interesting discussion at the Joint Committee on European Affairs involving the Marine Institute. Its representative explained to us that the opportunities that we have in Irish waters have not been used sufficiently well. If he had a magic wand, he said he would like to see us avail of those opportunities. Global warming can present us with an opportunity...

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator O'Toole. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. I was not going to refer to keeping people awake at night because there has been enough talk about insomnia on this. I offer my sympathy to the Minister of State on this detailed Bill. I had to read the following sentence in the Minister of State's speech half a dozen times before I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: Next year the French presidential elections will be held. One candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, has emerged as a favourite because as Minister for the Interior he took a zero tolerance approach to breaches of road safety. This is a lesson for those who wish to win elections. To be able to reduce deaths on the road is in the hands of the Government. The Minister has commented on the large number...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Ryan's call for a debate on the National Competitiveness Council's report. The fact that we are so low down in so many areas is frightening. The trend is even more frightening. Like everybody, I continually meet people from other parts of the world who ask how we managed to make such a success of the Irish economy. The signs in this report are that we will not be able to...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I have seen it all around the world and have been happy that Ireland does not have this plague of graffiti, however it is hitting Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I wholeheartedly support those who said we should avoid a debate on Northern Ireland. The prize of peace and agreement there is so worthwhile that at such a fragile time we should avoid debating the issue. We should be listening now, not pronouncing. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú's remarks, however, about listening to Mr. Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP speaking recently. I was especially...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: As we are talking about blaming local authorities, yesterday the chairman of the planning board blamed local authorities for the huge waste of money that is occurring because of planning permission being given on motorways. Motorways were designed for long journeys but instead, to a very large extent, they are being used by local authorities to put shopping centres or business parks...

Seanad: Europol (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I have just come from a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, where a delegation from Poland served as a reminder of how European we are and why we need such legislation. I also welcome the Bill, but I wish to protest in the strongest possible terms at the delay in bringing these measures before the House. The Bill gives effect in Irish law to three...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: In response to what Senator Mansergh said on Ireland becoming one of the wealthier nations, may I quote a report in today's issue of The Irish Times in which the European Environment Agency singles out Ireland, and in particular Dublin, for urban sprawl. The agency's report states, "We're using it as an illustrative case for cities in eastern Europe to show what can happen if you let the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: What is done with the country's wealth should be on the political agenda. We are very proud of having that wealth and overtaking Britain but a vision in its use is necessary.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: It is not published yet. The Irish Times states it will be published next month. A recently published OECD report shows Ireland comes 29 out of 30 in the percentage of its gross domestic product allocated to second level education.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: This matter must be debated in the House so that we can influence December's budget.

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

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the opportunity to have this debate. It is the right time for it. On the Independent Newspapers website there is currently a straw poll that asks the question: "Is the Government incompetent when it comes to spending public money?" I am sure the Minister of State would have no doubt as to how he would answer that. As of a few...

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

Feargal Quinn: I take the Senator's point that it does learn. However, it seems to go on year after year and I do not know that we actually take action. I am a great believer in that everything we do should be aimed at taking action. I have been a Member of this House for 13 years and I have watched this charade repeat itself over and over. I have now come to the conclusion that we need a radical...

Seanad: Road Traffic and Transport Bill 2006: Second Stage (3 Oct 2006)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome this Bill. While I would not normally welcome the passage of legislation in a single day, this is an exception. The reason for this Bill is evident, namely, something that was missed the last time. Hence, this serves as a reminder to Members. The entire question of deaths on our roads is a scandal that should never have been permitted...