Results 2,721-2,740 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Years ago when one went to France one was amazed that people did not drink water from the tap but from bottles. As somebody who sells water in bottles I am always happy to find opportunities to sell more. We have recently been reminded of how vigilant we must be. Last weekend a ban was put on the use of water in the Tyrellstown area of Fingal. The matter received no publicity, but was a...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Terry is probably right not to press the amendment but her point was also made by some Senators on Second Stage. In that debate I commented that those who are involved with disabilities have become more positive and use the term "ability", rather than "disability". I do not, however, suggest an amendment along those lines. We need to have a much more positive attitude to disability...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Terry has made a strong point, but perhaps this is not the occasion for it. It is important that we get this Bill passed. It has been in existence for some time and has been amended over the years. If we were now to add an element as demanding as that sought by Senator Terry — though it is worthy — the Bill would be further delayed. There are serious concerns about regulatory...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: My question was the same as that of Senator Dardis. I did not realise it was a Dáil amendment. I would like the Minister of State to explain why it was changed from Part 2 to Part 1, but I am sure it makes sense. On Senator Terry's amendment, I am not sure I support the five-year timescale being reduced to three years. However, I support paragraph (b) of the amendment, which provide that the...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Paragraph (b) of Senator Terry's amendment provides that for the purpose of assisting him or her in making such a review under this section, the Minister may consult any such organisations or representatives as he or she considers appropriate. The point Senator Terry and I are making is that we would not want the review to take place behind closed doors. We want to ensure it will be done...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: We have all seen footage on television of people being released from jail after miscarriages of justice. Our hearts have gone out to them and we can imagine how each of us might maintain his or her sanity if we had to go through the same experience. It is understandable, therefore, how concerned we are over what happened in Donegal. However, as others Members have said, let us achieve a...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: It is great that she had such a positive attitude. I am sure the motorist who parked in the disabled space was shamed out of ever doing so again. Any anger he may have felt was surely deflated when the woman in the wheelchair finally returned to her vehicle. A positive development in the retail sector is the inclusion on the packaging of some products of information in braille, most notably...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: One of the difficulties of following Senator Norris is that he generally covers everything. In this instance, he has dealt with almost all the points I wished to make. However, I wish to concentrate on one particular issue. Only a certain amount can be achieved in the area of disability through legislation. A similar point was made in regard to another matter on the Order of Business. What is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Ryan struck a chord with me when he referred to compliance with legislation. We may not need to pass more legislation but to develop an attitude towards compliance. I support Senator Brian Hayes's proposal that we debate the nursing home scandal today because we can do something about this immediately. Our main effort, however, should be to encourage citizens to comply with the law....

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and the aviation action plan, although I do not think the term is appropriate. I see no connection between the interesting matters of Dublin Airport and the sale of Aer Lingus. It has not been that long since the House spoke about Dublin Airport and the approach we should take there. I noticed with some amusement as I listened to the Minister's contribution that one of...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Maybe we cannot. However, if we appoint a board with which we do not interfere whose job is to make a success of the airline, it should be sacked if it does not do a good job. Let us not interfere with it. Let us not be half-hearted and believe we can hold on to 25% of the airline — with the unions holding on to another 14.9% — and believe somebody will pay a good price for 60% of a...

Seanad: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (31 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I assume I am allowed to second the Independent Members' amendment and share in the glory when it is accepted.

Seanad: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (31 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: When we read in the newspaper or hear on the radio of raids such as that which happened in Lusk, we are frightened and motivated to do something about them. Last Thursday night, two armed gangsters raided one of my supermarkets with balaclavas and sawn-off shotguns. One meets the people who had to go through that, talks to them because one knows them and hears of their experiences, and then...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Last week I asked for a debate on the Prison Service. There are a number of reports on which the debate could focus. I would like the Minister to come to the House to speak on the matter. There is a report issued in Britain today that a large number of prisoners re-offend on release. I do not know what the Irish figures are, but we saw some encouraging figures recently which claimed that one...

Seanad: Report of National Task Force on Obesity: Statements. (24 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and the words he used, particularly the word "leadership". As Senators Ormonde, Ulick Burke and others have said, the answer to this problem is in our own hands to a large extent. This is not something we can pass laws on, it is something we can deal with ourselves. As an operator of supermarkets, I have known about this problem for years. I am on the board of the Food...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I heard the Leader explain why she believes there is a difficulty. If the motion is acceptable to the Government side, from my point of view the amendment is acceptable. I thank Members for contributing to this positive debate and I wonder whether there should be a vote. I tabled the motion because of the complacency that exists. Senators Mansergh and Ó Murchú referred to the fact that...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: I move: That Seanad Éireann: —notes with alarm the publication in the past week of the latest American Express Holiday Cost of Living Index which revealed that Ireland now ranks second only to Norway as the most expensive holiday destination in Europe; —while conscious of the present low level of access fares to this country; — the constant efforts of the tourism industry to offer good...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: It is a lovely park now.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Feargal Quinn: Growing up in a holiday camp was a great start from a business point of view and would provide good lessons for anybody regardless of whether he or she is involved in tourism. Every week 500 guests travelled by boat or plane, from England, and we met them with buses. The deal my father made with them was that it was an all-in holiday, everything was included. The guests paid on the day they...