Results 5,881-5,900 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: As I said, those hospitals are already in a marginalised area which the Government has ignored on a whole range of issues, including decentralisation, infrastructure and investment, as it promotes already burgeoning areas of population and urban sprawl. People will fight vigorously and have been doing so for years through action committees to defend and upgrade what are seen as vital services.

Seanad: National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: He appointed another man to the Western Health Board. That is more or less a statement that the Minister's commitment to rural counties such as my own, County Roscommon, is limited. However, I wish him well in what he does.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Leyden for the work he did as chairman of the health board. He signed this contract, but it was regrettable that the Government saw fit to sack him from the health board two months later.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: One issue I am concerned about is the recent EU regulation which doubles compensation for passengers. This will pose a huge threat to our two passenger carrying airlines, Aer Lingus and Ryanair. It will be a major obstacle to tourism in this country. I call on the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to come to the House and outline exactly what the Government is doing to ensure that this...

Seanad: Order of Business. - OECD Education Report: Statements. (16 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Brian Hayes for sharing his time. I broadly welcome this report but I am concerned that Ireland was placed 19th out of 28 countries in terms of spending on schools and colleges. I wish to raise the question of IT for students in primary schools which is a shambles. Primary school students should be competent in this regard before going into secondary school and should not be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. For more than two decades Irish people have travelled all over the world to work as guest workers. That situation has changed and now many foreign nationals are working in various industries, such as meat and food processing, in this country. Many Brazilians are working in Roscommon town, in my county. Much good and successful work has been done through the VEC and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Frank Feighan: On being elected to this House, I frequently raised the issue of decentralisation or the lack of it. I thank the Leader for organising a worthwhile debate on this issue recently. Many statements have been made by members of the Front Bench. I have heard different statements from the Minister responsible and from other Ministers. However, one Minister issued a statement this week that a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Frank Feighan: In the past number of years there has been increased enforcement of the litter laws, which has brought about a welcome change on the streets of our villages, towns and cities. Many litter wardens are doing heroic work while facing verbal and physical abuse. Much good work has been done. The Garda has the power to enforce the litter laws but how many prosecutions have been brought? I welcomed...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Plant Closure. (3 Jul 2003)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Bannon for sharing his time with me. I was at a meeting in Rooskey last Wednesday night at which great anger and concern was expressed that this factory could be lost to the area. Just 13 or 14 months ago, before the fire, this factory had been due to expand and its workforce increased. There is a suggestion that the main reason the factory is moving away from Rooskey is that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2003)

Frank Feighan: For many decades British coarse anglers have been the mainstay of tourism in many areas. While the fisheries boards have undertaken studies, surveys and reports, unfortunately, they have failed to explain the reason fish stocks have declined. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to attend the House to outline his proposals to address...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I also wish to have a debate on agriculture. I am horrified to note that 45% of Irish farmers are now over 55 years of age. We are facing a 25% cut in prices in the dairy sector and beef prices will drop in the next few years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I will move on to the matter of jobs in rural areas. A year and a half ago, there was a fire in a meat processing factory in Roosky. At that time – just before the general election – promises were made that the factory would be replaced. Over 350 jobs were lost. The owners have now indicated that they do not intend to build a factory at that location. I call on the Tánaiste and Minister...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (26 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. It is 48 years since the legislation in this area was last amended. I hope that the Bill will be as successful as its predecessor.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I join Senator Norris in calling for extra resources to tackle the so-called crack epidemic. If we fail to tackle it, we will be open to the situation which developed in New York some years ago when it reached epidemic proportions. It was only when the users moved to a softer drug that the level of violent crime was reduced. My main reason for speaking relates to the Special Olympics. I join...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister back to the House. He has been one of the most efficient Ministers attending the House and I thank him for bringing these reports to the attention of the Seanad. The Minister mentioned the need for communications and, indeed, the reports could take a leaf out of the Minister's book because he has proved to be a good communicator in articulating health problems around...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: She is certainly an exceptional lady. Among the Minister's recommendation is the abolition of the health boards. Opinion is divided on whether these boards are a waste of money but some people say privately that they are very political. I imagine there will be strenuous opposition to their demise. A little over two months ago in this House, I said that while the health boards were a problem...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: A few councillors can be sacked here and there, but that will not be the solution to the health crisis. Again, the health boards are the whipping boys. I would like to see real reform. Major efforts must revolve around the reform of the health service as it remains to be seen whether it is out of control. The process of analysis, about which I am concerned, is a growth industry, but it has...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: Does a nurse ever retire?

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: As I speak, registers are being drawn up by each county council of listed buildings in their area. There are thousands of such buildings. Many of the owners are pleased because they have certain facades on their shops and, perhaps, sash windows. The Government has provided only a pittance for the work involved. Roscommon County Council has only €40,000, yet 300 or 400 houses are being...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Jun 2003)

Frank Feighan: I ask the House to condemn the ESB for closing 27 retail outlets, most of them in the west. Five years ago County Roscommon had four ESB shops, but now not one is left open. Does the ESB wish to continue serving the entire population of the country or just the major population centres? The Taoiseach intervened with the lending institutions with regard to the cost of borrowing. He should now...