Results 561-580 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I support what has been said by Senator Dardis. We have consistently linked the growth in criminality with drugs. Human life is no longer sacred, particularly in our urban areas. We have recently seen a big increase in the shootings of criminals. We must compliment the Garda, which is an unarmed force whose members consistently put their own lives at risk. The Minister recently allocated more...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Both Senator Brennan and I attended a meeting in Kilmallock last Monday, organised by the Kilmallock Association of Trade and Commerce. At that meeting the members of the association outlined their frustration at the ongoing delay in the start of the much-needed Kilmallock sewerage scheme. Their frustration is justified because of the conflicting information received from the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday, the group of unions in the communications sector in An Post launched an interesting document.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: It was their appraisal of the situation in An Post, and of the way forward. There is tremendous tension between unions and management in An Post. Postmen and other workers have had no pay increase since February 2003. They are not extremely well paid. While An Post points to the economic necessity of making profits, I ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Ardpatrick national school is situated on a main road outside the speed limits of the village. It was originally built as a three-teacher school in a rural community in 1969, and the grounds incorporated approximately ten parking spaces for staff and parents. These spaces were arranged within a recess directly adjacent to the main road to allow the cars park parallel to it. Given that there...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: As the Minister of State will appreciate, the grant scheme for minor works will not be used in this situation. I have outlined the safety aspect that is attached to this issue. I cannot emphasise any more the importance of the extension of this car park. Can the Minister of State give me any assurance that this matter will at least be favourably considered in the 2006 scheme, given that it...

Seanad: Schools Accommodation. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: If the Minister could receive a copy of what I said in the Adjournment debate she would appreciate exactly my sincerity and the sincerity of the school authorities.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the decision to have a proper debate on the Disability Bill because many of us have been getting telephone calls on this issue. We are all aware of the major march that will take place tomorrow to highlight how dissatisfied many of the disability organisations are about the Bill. I ask the Leader once more to speak to the Minister for Education and Science about special needs...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: He has dithered on this issue. He must be a great friend of Michael O'Leary.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I concur with the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes. While I welcome the allocation of €6.5 million announced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I understand this sum will be spent in the Dublin area with the intention of controlling gangs and ending gangland killings, which has been a frequent occurrence recently. This type of lawlessness is not confined to Dublin. I raise...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: As Senator Dardis does not live in Limerick, he is not aware of the situation there. I will provide copies of the Limerick Leader for his perusal. I would like him to be briefed. I welcome the proposal for statements on aviation policy. For the past months, the media has discussed nothing but aviation policy. The Taoiseach recently received an award for person of the year but ditherer of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: It is a pity he is not here because the tendering process ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I will retract my comments about the Taoiseach. I was possibly too unkind to him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: We look forward to an announcement on aviation policy this evening, which will come to be called operation fudge.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Can the Leader follow that?

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: He wishes to be factual.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Senator O'Toole sounds like a long-playing record.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday's news was dominated by the report of the task force on obesity but I am sure none of us had to wait for the report to know it was a problem. It is a problem which has been known about for many years. Changes have occurred in Irish society, including an increase in consumption of fast food and changes in schools. One no longer sees children bringing sandwiches to school but when the...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: We created a sense of awareness which the Minister was not able to do.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: There was not a murder every day.