Results 2,781-2,800 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: We need to acknowledge that this is a huge change in American politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I wish to raise the issue of Brexit again. The recent statement by the British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Mr. David Davis, to the effect that the phase 1 agreement was not legally enforceable was very unhelpful. I believe he has since qualified his remarks and has said that it is legally enforceable under the withdrawal arrangements.We were all a little excited two...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the approval by An Bord Pleanála of plans for a major upgrade of the N5. The N5 is the road between Dublin and Westport. The road upgrade will bypass the villages of Frenchpark, Bellanagare, Tulsk and Strokestown. This is a major endorsement of the Government's policy of improving access to the west. That said, more needs to be done, particularly on the N4 between Dublin...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (6 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to discuss another excellent project for Roscommon County Hospital and the west. The medical rehabilitation unit is one of three major capital developments planned at Roscommon hospital. The other two are an endoscopy unit, which is open and extremely busy, and a hospice care centre for which plans are progressing well. These three projects...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (6 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I am delighted that the procurement process for the design team is ongoing and that it is expected it will be appointed in the first quarter of 2018. This cannot happen quickly enough. I worry that sometimes when the HSE is involved there can be blockages. We must ensure that there are no blockages and that this progresses as quickly as possible. The HSE has also advised that the hospital...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I was very disappointed with the negotiations on Brexit yesterday. We felt that an agreement in respect of one of the most significant issues relating to the island of Ireland was coming to a satisfactory conclusion. I was in the House of Commons a year and a half ago and I helped to launch the Irish4Europe campaign. We were hoping that the members of the Irish diaspora in the United...

Seanad: Department of Rural and Community Development: Statements (5 Dec 2017)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister. When the Department of Rural and Community Development was established last July and he was appointed, we all felt it to be a massive boost for rural Ireland. In fairness, the Minister very much epitomises all that is good about rural Ireland. I congratulate him on being a champion for both rural Ireland and the west over many years. The consolidation into a new...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I congratulate Senator Norris and wish him well. When I first met him, he had come to Boyle for the arts festival. He performed his James Joyce show. I am one of those Senators who tried to read Ulysses, but it was above me. Senator Norris entertained. His language was magical. He made James Joyce much more approachable to middle Ireland. He was ahead of the curve.I wish to God he was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: A Vision for Change: Update from Health Service Executive (30 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: What I am going to say will not make me popular, but I am coming this from a different angle. I am not qualified in mental health. I happened to be my party's spokesperson on health in the Seanad when A Vision for Change was introduced. I challenged and welcomed it, and thought it was a huge move forward. On many occasions, I have seen a change in patients or friends of mine. I admire...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: A Vision for Change: Update from Health Service Executive (30 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I want them to respond. Have things improved?

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I now call Senator Aidan Davitt, who has eight minutes.

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: Unfortunately, that is the order of the House. The Senator will have to speak quickly.

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: Senator O'Reilly has only one minute left.

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I call Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. He has eight minutes.

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I was here many years ago, when former Deputy Mary Harney was Minister for Health. We talked about the 2008 hospital consultant issues. At the time I asked who had the power to take on the consultants. Somebody always asked me what the difference between a consultant and God was and the answer was that God does not think he is a consultant. Consultants are powerful and make the difference...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Irish Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I apologise for having missed the submission. I had an important role as we need a certain number of people on quorum duty for the Seanad to start. When witnesses see Deputies and Senators leaving, it is not a snub. I am delighted the witnesses can appear before us today. We are talking about oversight and inspection capabilities with regard to aviation security. I was interested to see...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Irish Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I thank Mr. Gavin for clarifying that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disablement Benefit (21 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I wish to raise the need for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the number of former miners who worked in Arigna and in other mines who have availed of disablement benefit due to work-related illness; and whether there are enough resources currently available to expedite existing applications from former miners seeking disablement benefit. I am glad the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disablement Benefit (21 Nov 2017)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister for her reply. She will be aware that this was a difficult situation. Compensation was an issue and we were able to get around it. Since 2010, this issue has brought all the coal miners from around the country together. It provided a huge lesson and has been a major eye-opener. Unfortunately, many of the miners have died . The 123 former Arigna coal miners and...