Results 3,161-3,180 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Over 20 years ago on St. Valentine's Day, a horrific fire occurred at the Stardust night-club in Dublin. Those of us close to that event still remember the deaths and disabilities suffered. Recently, three horrific fires have occurred at night-clubs world-wide, in Rhode Island, Chicago and South Korea. I call on the Leader to ask the responsible Ministers to ensure that the required vigilance...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I believe in the free market economy and have grave doubts about anything that interferes with it. When the Bill came into my possession, I checked whether other countries had done something similar and discovered that some have done so. I then checked the record of Denmark, which decided not to do this because it did not wish to interfere with the free market economy. It was thought that if...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Because of competition.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State who, as many other Members stated, is so enthusiastic about Europe. As Senator Henry and Senator Ryan stated, it is great to see somebody who actually fits into a job. However, I am somewhat concerned about that. I am reminded of the saying that when the Normans came to Ireland they became more Irish than the Irish themselves. I caution the Minister of State...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I am sure they did.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Let us ensure that the Minister of State, who has my enthusiastic support, does the same. I wish to quote a business maxim which goes, "There are three things you should never believe, and the first one is that the cheque is in the post". The second is, "Of course I will love you in the morning darling" and the third is, "I am here from head office and I am here to help you".

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: "I am here from head office and I am here to help you". I am somewhat concerned about head office taking too much power unto itself and head office always believes it is there to help you. I like name-dropping and a couple of years ago I met Vaclav Klaus and got to know him quite well. He is now President Vaclav Klaus, having been elected President of the Czech Republic last week. During the...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Yes, I am only making the point.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I thought I had only started. Vaclav Klaus was not enthusiastic because he said he did not want to substitute a new big brother for that which his country had in Moscow for many years. My words of caution to the Minister of State are intended to help him keep an eye on the Convention and what is happening there. I wish to refer to three areas of concern.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I thought I had five minutes.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I apologise, I did not realise the position. I have only three questions.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I have three questions about Articles 9, 11 and 12 of the Convention. Article 9 deals with the primacy of European law over the laws of member states. Is the Minister of State sure that he is protecting our interests in this area? Article 11 deals with exclusive competency over the common policy. The French are worried about their film industry in this area. Are there concerns for Ireland in...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Well done.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share my time with Senator Henry

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I remember being taken through the objectives of the legislation in 1997. I was unaware of it before then. Following that, I became an enthusiast for freedom of information and I was impressed by a Norwegian legislator whom I questioned before that legislation went through. Like me, he had been unaware of the implications. It was interesting to hear Senator Maurice Hayes talk about Civil...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Feargal Quinn: My position on this issue is rather similar to that of Senator Bradford. When I first heard of this equalisation scheme, I regarded it as pure protectionism, aimed at stifling competition. On first reading the Minister's speech with regard to the draft risk equalisation scheme, I misread "draft" as "daft" and was overjoyed that the Minister was on our side. In fact, I have changed my mind. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Senator Ryan stated that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was concerned about the recent national agreement. The society has also expressed deep concern about disadvantage in education. I ask the Leader to find out from the Minister which body is responsible for school attendance. When the House passed a Bill addressing the issue of truancy just over a year ago, Members assumed that by...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Since 1996 meat and bonemeal have been quite rightly banned from animal feed which has to be rendered instead. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, has informed the beef industry that the subsidy paid to enable such material to be sent to Germany – there is no market for it here – will no longer apply from 1 March. This announcement has caused a great deal of concern in...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Feargal Quinn: The Senator finished on a high note.