Results 2,941-2,960 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: It simply refers to parties.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: It also excludes the Seanad and only refers to Dáil Éireann. The spirit is correct but the technical detail is not.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: In respect of amendment No. 4, this is an important Committee Stage debate because ours is the only House which can revise the Bill at this stage and I hope all sides will face up to that challenge. I hope Opposition contributions are constructive and that the Government will consider and accept amendments no matter where they come from. The aim of my amendments to help achieve the best...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. Every Bill that passes through this House is important, but few have the importance this one has assumed through circumstances that have developed. Its importance is not only due to its proposed effect on our voting process, which goes to the very heart of our democracy but, more significant, it is important because it comes to the House after the publication...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Yesterday the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced that he intended to introduce electronic tagging for offenders. This is a matter I raised in the House seven or eight years ago and I am delighted to see that action has been taken on it. Governments in the past have not always made use of available technology to solve problems. Legislation will be required and I ask the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. There was an item in today's newspaper about a judge in County Kildare who was upset over the number of cases that were being adjourned, saying she could not put in a day's work. During Private Members' business some six months ago I mentioned the problem of the shortage of judges in the High Court and the people who turn up for court cases and are turned away day...

Seanad: Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (6 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I am breaking one of my usual rules of objecting to the passage of all Stages of a Bill on the one day because the Minister has explained the position adequately. As Senator Finucane also said, this is a Bill for which we can make that exception. I must confess that when I first read this short Bill I was taken aback by the huge amounts involved, but the Minister explained the position....

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to second Senator Henry's motion. I admit that when Senator Henry took me through her views on this a couple of weeks ago, I was unaware of the intricacies and problems involved. She has articulated these very well in a number of areas. I commend her for introducing the motion and I have much pleasure in seconding it. I hope this debate,...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I know what the Constitution says, but that is not the purpose of the law. The Constitution aims to protect marriage, while the purpose of the law is to cater for the rights, obligations and special needs that arise when people take on the commitment of a long-term relationship.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: That is true.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Every relationship involves giving and taking on the part of both parties. Usually it is love that provides the driving force for this, whether the parties are married or not. As we know, however, love is not enough to make the world go around. When people share their lives, especially when they have children, a cluster of interlocking rights, obligations and special needs arise. It is to...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements. (29 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister and, as Senator Wilson said, his heart is in the right place. Not only is he a hard-working Minister but he is also determined to achieve success in this respect. I sought this debate, as did a number of my colleagues. In a report yesterday, the National Safety Council stated: "Tragically, approximately 250 people will set off on a journey between now and the end of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: This week the British Government announced its intention to introduce identity cards and published draft legislation to that effect. While it could be argued that the issue is none of our business, our experience has been that when the British take a step of this nature, as they did with regard to the Schengen Agreement, it has implications for us. The published Bill proposes a fine of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I hope the Cathaoirleach will excuse me if I make a personal point, but I notice he has been in particularly good humour over the past ten days. I have also noticed that everyone else has been in a better mood. I was not sure whether this was due to the smoking ban, but I have now come to the conclusion that it is due to the extra hour of daylight in the evening. I was interested to discover...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (6 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic. I join Senator Bradford and Senator Ormonde in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on his grasp of this portfolio. Since his appointment, he has demonstrated enthusiasm for and commitment to his job. The breadth of the Minister of State's address to the House was evidence of the wide-ranging nature of his portfolio. Last year,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Yes, it is quite legitimate. It is inside the law.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Feargal Quinn: During the past few years, we have spent a great deal of time debating insurance issues, particularly those relating to car insurance. I ask the Leader to draw to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment a directive issued by the European Commission last week on car insurance. It involves political correctness going mad. The Commission believes that,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: Last weekend seven young men died on our roads. I read yesterday that the chairman of the National Safety Authority questioned the Minister responsible on the unavailability of a central budget for road safety. This is a most serious matter. The young men who died were aged between 18 and 30 years. This matter should be on the agenda every week until something happens. According to the...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I intended to be critical of this Bill's long gestation, considering the report on the area was published in 1997. However, having heard the Minister speak on the Bill, I realise it is far better to have moved slowly and carefully with this legislation and its phased introduction. The need for legislation in this area is now much greater, particularly as some criminals...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Feargal Quinn: There was a fire in a hostel in Dublin last weekend and 12 children were rushed to hospital afterwards. It is a reminder to us of the responsibility we, as a nation, have towards those in our care. It has been reported in the UK that there are no sprinkler systems in any of its prisons, with the exception of one prison ship. I do not know what is the position in Ireland but the State has a...