Results 581-600 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

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

Michael Finucane: What was that as a proportion of GNP?

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

Michael Finucane: The Minister should look at his programme for Government.

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

Michael Finucane: What is the Minister doing about the criminal gangs in Dublin?

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

Michael Finucane: They are starting to throw hand grenades in the windows in Limerick.

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

Michael Finucane: By his nature, he is confrontational.

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

Michael Finucane: The Acting Chairman is protecting the Minister.

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

Michael Finucane: The Acting Chairman has often made tough comments himself.

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

Michael Finucane: I compliment my colleague, Senator Cummins, for tabling this motion because it has been an interesting debate. I listened to the Minister's knockabout performance. Senator Brady probably reflected Dublin opinion when he noted that anti-social behaviour impacts most on urban areas. I will speak about rural Ireland, specifically the area I know best, west Limerick and the town of Newcastle...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: A short time ago we had an interesting debate on transport, particularly the problem of driving tests. Many Members referred to the huge backlog for tests and I am glad the Minister has rapidly responded. While there might be some teething problems getting the system in place, I wish him well in reducing the waiting list for driving tests. However, rather than take this À la carte approach,...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Bill 2000: Second Stage. (10 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: We discussed the sea pollution issue a few years ago and reference was made to the Erika, Prestige and other ship wrecks. The legislation is overdue and, while I acknowledge its spirit and intent, people are most concerned about the potential threat posed by Sellafield in the context of sea pollution. The threat has been elaborated on in the press on many occasions but it is worrying that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I support what Senator O'Toole said about the garda and what occurred in County Monaghan. We should all be concerned at what is happening in Ireland with criminal gangs, drugs, various types of lawlessness and murders happening on a frequent basis. Drugs shipments are coming from eastern European countries, frequently with "lucky bags" of guns included. In the case of Limerick, in recent...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: What about Senator Morrissey?

Seanad: Port Development. (4 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, for taking this Adjournment matter. On 5 April, Limerick County Council received a planning application from Shannon Foynes Port Company for the reclamation of 0.9 hectares and the replacement of the public slipway. The port company enraged the local community when it decided to...

Seanad: Port Development. (4 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: Will the Minister of State speak to the appropriate officials in the Department? The meeting last night was stormy but ended on a constructive note. The community wants to meet the harbour board and discuss its concerns. I seek only a constructive approach from the port company. The Minister of State's reply has offered some reassurance on this point. Will he ask his officials, as a matter of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: The raising of the issue of special needs assistants is opportune. As Senator Ulick Burke said, it has only been a few weeks since the Minister for Education and Science made promises to this House in the area of special needs and resource teaching. I have predicted previously that this will be an important issue in the near future as people are now planning for September. Many young children...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: It is deplorable.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

Michael Finucane: That is out of order.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Michael Finucane: I second the amendment in the name of Senator Paddy Burke. He has elaborated on the problems with regard to road safety. I was surprised that the Progressive Democrats proposed this motion because the defects of the current system are obvious. The motion probably clarifies the situation with regard to its deficiencies, but it is not a situation on which the Government can congratulate itself....

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2005)

Michael Finucane: The European Court of Justice made a ruling yesterday on Ireland's flouting of laws on waste disposal as a result of 12 complaints to the European Union registered between 1997 and 2000. In 1999 and 2001, Ireland was given warnings on the matter which the Government failed to heed with the result that the court has rapped us on the knuckles. We have lived with a great many complaints over the...