Results 2,501-2,520 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Funding Granted by Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland and Related Matters: Discussion (3 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: We have always looked at FIFA and UEFA and corporate governance was not at the top of their agenda over the years. Is the FAI a symptom of that? Is it a kind of like a Goodfellas club around the world and is it the same with every organisation? Are there the same issues with world rugby? Perhaps Mr. Treacy could comment on UEFA and FIFA. Obviously, the new and emerging states in Europe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Funding Granted by Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland and Related Matters: Discussion (3 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: I thank Mr. Treacy. It is shocking that 17 or 18 years after the publication of the Genesis report, independent board members have not been appointed. There is a story behind that which we should investigate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Funding Granted by Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland and Related Matters: Discussion (3 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: I understand that the FAI is on a journey of adopting the governance code, which I checked. Some 570 organisations, such as schools and organisations that are much smaller than the FAI, are able to secure accreditation and be compliant with the governance code. I find it hard to believe that a major organisation such as the FAI is still on that journey 17 years later. Is there a reason for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Funding Granted by Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland and Related Matters: Discussion (3 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: On a lighter note, it is great that we heard of the Olympic Council of Ireland for the first time in a year and a half.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Funding Granted by Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland and Related Matters: Discussion (3 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: I apologise - the Olympic Federation of Ireland. Any time we heard the organisation's name in the past was in controversial circumstances so it is nice to hear that things are going well for it. The FAI had a liquidity problem and occasional problems with finances. Is it the same in other federations, say, the Football Association of Wales or the Football Association in England? I know...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Apr 2019)

Frank Feighan: We are deeply frustrated at events in Westminster. Today, we have got great solidarity from Emmanuel Macron, who said he will never abandon Ireland or the Irish people, no matter what happens. This sends out a powerful signal to Brexiteers who think Europe will be divided. The Taoiseach rightly said that we are open to a credible plan from Westminster that has a clear purpose. The next...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (28 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Griffin for coming to the House. As always he is prompt and I appreciate his presence in the Chamber. There have been a number of plans and proposals for a high-speed rail service between Dublin and Belfast on both sides of the Border. The objective is that the journey time between Dublin and Belfast would be reduced to 90 minutes. The direct...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (28 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the proposed national train control centre, which will allow for better management on the entire network, including the Belfast-Dublin line, and also the works being done around the Lurgan area, which, as the Minister of State said, will benefit the Dublin-Belfast line. I look forward to seeing the 2020 study being expedited as quickly as possible. As I said, however, I was in...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I am sure Members of the House will join me in sending our condolences to the family of the late John Browne. John Browne was nominated to this Seanad in 1983 and was a Deputy from 1989 to 2002. Any time I met him I found him to be a very decent man who imparted of his knowledge. His son Fergal was a colleague of mine in the Seanad from 2002 to 2007. Our sympathy and condolences go to his...

Seanad: Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland: Statements (27 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: Unike Senator O'Sullivan, I grew up some 40 miles from the Border in Boyle, County Roscommon. One of the great days of my life was the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985. I had just come back from Australia and Garrett FitzGerald was a hero of mine. The Anglo-Irish Agreement was not perfect. It failed to achieve reconciliation amongst the two communities and to stop political...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I give my condolences to the people of Christchurch in New Zealand on the shooting in the mosques during which 49 people were killed. It was very sad. We are seeing a lot of extremism from the far right and far left. The Prime Minister of New Zealand summed it up with her own words. I mention also the tragedy at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown and the three young teenagers who died on...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I will respond first to Senator Gavan's interesting comments. We must look at all aspects of an agreed Ireland. When I talk about the Commonwealth, I know it was a Fine Gael-led Government which declared the Republic in 1949. A consequence was the passage of the Ireland Act 1949 in Westminster which recognised, in effect, the Northern Ireland state for the first time. It was Tim Pat...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I have had an interesting two days in Westminster and I attended the vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons last night. Senator McDowell was right in saying that what is now needed is bit of space, time and reflection. I attended an event called Champ, of which I am a patron, in Westminster yesterday. It has brought politicians together for the past 29 to 30 years in a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: No. I did not-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: -----because my national anthem is Amhrán na bhFiann and I am proud of that, but thanks for asking.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I will do so by saying that at the Champ event I met a member of from the Irish-British business community. I read Fionola Meredith's newspaper article this week on having a Border poll and asking if we really want a referendum on Irish unity. It was quite interesting what she wrote, that "Northern Ireland is radically dysfunctional, implacably divided and politically shipwrecked". We need...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: In accordance with the order of the Seanad yesterday, we will deal with Part 1, sections 1 to 3, first.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: Amendment No. 1 in the name of Senator Rose Conway-Walsh is out of order.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: Amendments Nos. 2 and 30 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Frank Feighan: I, too, agree with the view expressed by Senator Marshall that we need to treat a lot of the issues in Northern Ireland with sensitivity. The comments made by Karen Bradley in the House of Commons yesterday were insensitive, out of touch and caused hurt and offence. However, I recognise that she has said she will go back to the house and correct the record of the oral questions, which I...