Results 381-400 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane
- Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: The Comptroller and Auditor General's report on PPARS is very interesting. It is remarkable that when the project commenced in 1998, the timeframe for completion was three years and the estimated cost was â¬9 million.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: Sorry, could Senator Jim Walsh repeat that?
- Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: I did not hear what the gentleman said. It seems as if the Muppet Show is up in the balcony, shouting down. When PPARS began, the estimated cost was â¬9 million, now it is â¬200 million. Senator Jim Walsh can joke about it if he likes but it is a very serious matter. The point is that the problem was not picked up until seven years later, when the Health Service Executive said "Stop the...
- Seanad: Regional Veterinary Centres. (13 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I have decided to raise this matter now, even though the closure of the Knockalisheen regional veterinary centre is not expected until approximately 2009. I understand a decision has been reached in the Department of Agriculture and Food to create a new facility at Macroom, County Cork, to cater not just for the closure of Knockalisheen regional...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: I hope the Senator did not phone in.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: The Government receives â¬70 million in dividends.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: It would be better to give something back.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: I support the call by Senator Ryan for a debate on the energy sector with particular regard to electricity. The increase in electricity charges over the years concerns all of us. Liberalisation of the energy market has not benefited domestic consumers. The public service obligation element still appears in electricity legislation. The Minister would say that is to sustain a peat-fired station...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: Senator Mansergh registered rather high on the Richter scale. The microphone is still shaking.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: It is a free-for-all, not freeflow.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: On the transport theme, stations are losing out in the attempt to speed up the trains to Cork. Charleville Station is losing out on two trains, a late night train and an afternoon train. It is regrettable that a station which is used by many people in west Limerick, north Cork and north Kerry is losing transport. Therefore, when one speaks of this great transport announcement in recent times,...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: The House must invite the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to appear before it again, and soon.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: In recent times there has been extreme concern on the basis of the statement by the US Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice, that these planes going through Shannon were not being used for torture. Ms Rice probably coined a new expression in the English language on the use of the word "rendition". I always thought the word "rendition" was a reference to when one asked someone to sing a...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: However, the concern is that these are the same Americans who previously made statements about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq which proved to be wrong. They have also made recent statements in respect of phosphorous bombs and were proved wrong. Why should we now believe Condoleezza Rice? It is not satisfactory for the Government to state that it has asked a specific question and has...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)
Michael Finucane: Is there?
- Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)
Michael Finucane: Having listened to Senator Callanan I am reminded of his near neighbour, Ms Alice Taylor, and her famous book, To School Through the Fields, because the Senator has just taken us on a trip down memory lane. Irish Ferries has been to the fore in the public mind recently but an edition of "Prime Time" this week featured a man from one of the new EU member states who was working on a building...
- Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)
Michael Finucane: Spare us the history lesson.
- Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)
Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, and compliment Senator Quinn on his thoughtful contribution. Unlike many of us and the party in power on the other side, which might focus on particular aspects, he would examine this matter much more objectively. Everyone recognises that the economy is going well but...
- Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)
Michael Finucane: Much thought was given to consultants' advice regarding these projects. The Government said it was taking action to ensure that in future this aspect was covered. It is surprising to note that â¬60 million is to be spent next year on consultants, which is an increase of â¬1.5 million and this is on top of â¬50 million expended in recent times on a health board project which was signed for...
- Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)
Michael Finucane: I did not say anything about the health service.