Results 6,021-6,040 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Development of Rugby: Motion. (29 Jan 2003)

Frank Feighan: In the early 1980s when I was playing Gaelic football and soccer with enthusiasm, a rugby club called East Connacht was founded in Carrick-on-Shannon. The club generated considerable interest in north Roscommon, south Sligo and Leitrim and many of my friends were involved in it. The highlight of the year was the game against Loughrea or Creggs which the team invariably lost. We used to enjoy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Post Office Network. (29 Jan 2003)

Frank Feighan: I thank Senator Mansergh for sharing time with me. Why has the Government subvented An Post to the tune of €12.5 million over the past two years when, as I understand, it is being used to pressurise and coerce postmasters and postmistresses to retire early from their post offices or continue on an agency basis? The criteria for obtaining this agency status are to sell stamps or pay pensions...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: There is a great deal of concern and anger in the west at the manner in which the Government has treated the Western Development Commission. I call on the relevant Minister to come to the House to outline what plans he has to secure the future of the commission, which is needed in the west.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: I also welcome this debate on the high levels of alcohol consumption among teenagers. While the problem of alcohol consumption is not new, it is now becoming an epidemic and drastic steps must be taken. The drink culture, as we know it, is very much part of the Irish psyche. We have given it a status and tolerance. The alarm bells are now ringing very late in the day which is worrying. I hope...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: Senator Leyden is an architect.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: I also congratulate the two gardaí concerned for their involvement in what was a brave rescue attempt. Garda Finnerty should be especially commended. Senator Coonan said the training ground was Templemore but the raw material came from County Roscommon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: The Western Development Commission is the one organisation in which people put their trust to save the west.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: The Government is undermining the commission, but it should be told that while it can con the country, it will not con the people of the west. The commission is providing a good service.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: Yes, and I found it to be a professional organisation.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. In Boyle, the town of 2,500 people where I come from, there were 23 new applications for home ownership yesterday. These people had got tenancy of their new apartments and houses and were doing a pre-tenacy course, which I certainly agree is useful. It was great to see people with pride, self-esteem and confidence in the future moving into...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: I join my colleagues in calling for a debate on the Middle East. I avail of this opportunity to congratulate and welcome back from Greece my constituency colleague, Senator Leyden, who did great work. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Defence to the House. There is a plan by Brigadier General Swords regarding rationalisation of military installations. Will the Minister confirm or deny...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

Frank Feighan: I cautiously welcome the report, which is long overdue. I take issue with some speakers who said we are all parochial and that we all want our own town or village included. I come from County Roscommon which is bordered by counties Longford and Leitrim. While there are 23 gateways and hub towns specified, I am horrified that there is not one gateway or hub centre in Leitrim, Roscommon or...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: The Leader should be offered honorary membership.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to the Seanad. It is a legal document transferring the powers of CERT and Bord Fáilte. One problem I have is that the body is to be described as Fáilte Ireland, translated as Tourism Ireland. This does not sound very radical to me; rather it sounds like the debate on the shape of the shamrock on Aer Lingus planes. If the word "Bord" was removed,...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: Yes, he is a great Roscommon man. I commend Bord Bia on the promotion of Irish food abroad. It has a valued reputation.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: For those who turned out it was not a failure. The development of the River Shannon and its tie-up with the Erne waterway are important. We must promote projects to ensure that the assets of the midlands, particularly the River Shannon, are opened up. Lockey Forest Park, on my own doorstep, is a prime example. More could be spent on the home tourism market if local groups had the facilities....

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I appeal to the Minister to restore the €3,800 first-time buyer's grant. Young people in the west are trying to purchase their own homes. They want pride, esteem and self-confidence and do not want to rely on hand-outs or council housing. Now they are being put under added pressure and councils will have to provide for them with depleted resources. People were relying on the first-time...

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister's speech and wish him well in a difficult brief. I also welcome the fact that the Government has accepted in full the findings of this report and has decided to refer it to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I found the €10 price of the report difficult to accept because it demonstrated a certain disdain for the victims. Given that copies of the interim report of...

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: The report cost me €10 today.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: Unemployment is high enough in north and south Roscommon.