Results 281-300 of 1,310 for speaker:Shane McEntee

Seanad: Harbours and Piers (6 Jul 2011)

Shane McEntee: As the Senator stated, there appears to be some confusion regarding the cost involved, which was initially estimated at €690,000. It appears that when the money was available, someone slipped up. I ask that the Senator return to the county council and clarify all of these matters. He can then approach me personally and I will meet him in the Department. I am aware that money is scarce...

Seanad: National Car Test Centres (6 Jul 2011)

Shane McEntee: I will take this debate on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. I know where Senator Reilly is coming from as I was involved in road safety for five years in the Dáil. Everyone worked hard to get us from having the worst record in Europe to being at the top. The quality of our cars was a major issue. Setting up the NCT caused us much pain...

Seanad: National Car Test Centres (6 Jul 2011)

Shane McEntee: The NCT was set up to progress road safety. There is no question about that purpose because of the number of faulty cars. I can only put my hand on my heart and state that the Road Safety Authority under Mr. Noel Brett will do nothing wrong. I have not spoken to him since the programme which was a major shock to everybody. We know that 99.9% of our mechanics are the best one could get...

Seanad: Food Safety Standards: Statements. (5 Jul 2011)

Shane McEntee: That could take two hours. I thank everybody for making a contribution. I am probably not in a position to tell certain speakers what will happen regarding matters they raised and will return to them. I refer to the first issue, namely, what happened in Germany. If we had been as quick as the Germans were to blame others for their cucumbers we would now be closed down as a country. The...

Seanad: Food Safety Standards: Statements. (5 Jul 2011)

Shane McEntee: It is a pleasure to be back in the House to discuss agriculture, food safety and related matters. Over the past three or four months, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I have been given the opportunity to promote agriculture and to work in conjunction with our Department and everybody in the industry. It is an exciting industry to be involved in, given the opportunities presented by the...

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to bring the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2010 before the Dáil and look forward to an informed and constructive debate during the passage of the Bill through this House. The greyhound racing industry is a very important industry in this country responsible for sustaining 11,000 full-time and part-time jobs directly and...

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: Before I address the points raised, I am pleased to bring the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011 before the Dáil. I look forward to an informed and constructive debate during the Bill's passage through the House. Contributions on Second Stage were very useful and I thank those Deputies who took the time to examine this issue in advance. The greyhound racing industry is important and makes a...

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (30 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a).

Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: Say that again.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: The Deputy wants to keep the people in poverty.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: It is not on the list.

Departmental Offices (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. With regard to the last part of his contribution, I understand the importance of having a proper advisory service in view of the approach of the 2020 targets. It is important for anybody going into agriculture, or already in agriculture, that the best advice possible is available. Since we came into government, we have had representations about...

Seanad: Environmental Policy (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: This is a good day for the Senator to raise the issue. It is easy to forget what happened five weeks ago. We are heading into a long weekend with warm weather forecast and we have issued a statement asking people to be vigilant. I learned a lot during my visit to County Donegal, in particular from those who were in the thick of it. I went to see the damage that had been caused. However,...

Seanad: Environmental Policy (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: As I stated, while I know it is wrong of me to leave the door open, my view always is that one should not shut a door completely. At present, however, money is not available to fund a scheme. I asked organisations locally to put their best foot forward. While circumstances sometimes change, it is unlikely they will change in this case, although I remain open to persuasion.

Seanad: Health Service Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his welcome and wish all Members well on my first visit to this beautiful Chamber. In my capacity as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for horticulture, forestry, food safety and the greyhound industry, I have sent a letter to all Members, either physically or via e-mail, containing my contact telephone...

Seanad: Health Service Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I will. The Senator will also have an opportunity to put her case. She has all the information and she is passionate in her concern. There is nothing like lobbying.

Seanad: Constitutional Amendment on Children (1 Jun 2011)

Shane McEntee: I note the co-operation of all parties on this matter. I am taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I am pleased to provide the Seanad with an update on the work of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children and the Government position on the referendum on children's rights. I emphasise the Government's...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2011)

Shane McEntee: I thank everyone for their contributions. I recognise the matters raised by Deputy Mattie McGrath with regard to Bank of Ireland. I attended one such session in Ballybay last week which was very effective. We need such initiatives where the banks come to meet the people rather than the other way around. As the Minister for Finance stated when he announced the jobs initiative in the House...

Agriculture: Motion (Resumed) (25 May 2011)

Shane McEntee: This debate has not alone been very welcome but also very encouraging, demonstrating a unity of purpose on all sides of the House to ensure agriculture and the agrifood sector will be at the centre of Ireland's economic recovery. It is now accepted Ireland's economic recovery will be export-led. Bord Bia estimates 11% of all exports last year came from the agrifood sector, an increase of...