Results 501-520 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael Finucane: Padraic White, I am sorry. Some €45 million was allocated towards decommissioning part of the fleet. In that context, it is surely possible to allocate a sum of money to achieve this objective. On the basis of the advice that exists, it will cost much less than €45 million. I hope the Government will commit itself to responding to the report.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Finucane: We were here all night.

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State's statement which outlines the latest developments in regard to the Corrib onshore pipeline. Although it is quite a distance from Rossport, a public meeting on the issue was recently held in Newcastle West in County Limerick. The families of the Rossport men were represented and Dr. Mark Garavan, spokesman for the Shell to Sea campaign, spoke at length. It was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Brian Hayes' comments on consultants. I raised the matter on a previous occasion in this House, when I referred to the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, who had approximately 130 studies and reports carried out during his period as Minister. Many of those reports have gathered dust. Departments often adopt an easy approach to hiding problems by engaging...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Michael Finucane: I support what Senator Ryan said about beefing up the inspectorate division. There has been a dramatic expansion as a result of Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and many other nationalities coming to Ireland. In every rural town there are workers from those communities. While everybody has focused on the position of Irish Ferries because of the numbers involved how can we ensure there is not mass...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: That is out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: Over the summer, the issue that appeared to dominate was rip-off Ireland and the programme presented by Mr. Eddie Hobbs seems to have resonated with the public. By the end of the summer, people were talking about this issue as though this was a banana republic without the bananas. Indeed, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs agreed on television that we have developed into rip-off...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: It could be a great deal better.

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, to the House. Is it permissible for me to share my time with Senator Brennan?

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: The Salesian College in Pallaskenry in County Limerick and the parents of its pupils were notified in July 2005 that the school transport facility, primarily for the Ballybrown and Clarina area, would not apply to first year pupils from September 2005 on. The parents were stunned by the announcement as they had enrolled their children for the school in November 2004. Over the last 15 years, a...

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: I am very disappointed with the Minister of State's response as I believed that she empathized with the parents. In this case, pupils got very little notice from the Department of Education and Science as they were contacted in July. This could be a factor in a decision to make an exception in this case. I am disappointed, as will the parents and pupils in the area.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: Castlepollard?

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Finucane: Last weekend I attended a meeting in my own area concerning the Rossport five issue. One would have to be moved by the family members who were present. It is worth bearing in mind that the five men concerned have now been in jail for over 90 days. Yesterday the Joint Committeeon Communications, Marine and Natural Resources had a meeting for over three hours on this issue with the Minister for...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael Finucane: Will the Minister for Education and Science be here to respond to the matter I wish to raise?

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael Finucane: I regret that neither the Minister for Education and Science nor one of the Ministers of State at that Department is in the House. However, I am sure the Minister for Agriculture and Food will give me a satisfactory response. I raise the issue of services for children with special educational needs at four schools in west Limerick, namely, Raheenagh, Ashford, Broadford and Templeglantine. I...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael Finucane: I request the Minister to ask whether it is possible, as a matter of courtesy, to advise me of the eventual outcome of these deliberations.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael Finucane: I raised previously in the House the issue of the escalating cost of electricity. Last year charges increased by 13%. Last Tuesday, the energy regulator came before the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. He outlined the difficulties with regard to the cost of inputs and fuels. While he refuted a statement in a recent newspaper report that electricity charges...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Finucane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Finucane: In 2002, I was Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, at which time the National Aquatic Centre was in its formative stages. There were concerns regarding the contract and an investigation carried out for the Comptroller and Auditor General. Following media revelations, the then Attorney General, Deputy McDowell, issued a very critical report that led to the resignation of a prominent...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

Michael Finucane: Where is the location?