Results 661-680 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Yes.

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I saw that. That is all well and good, but as reported by the media, the salaries of consultants range from €147,000 to about €200,000, which as the Minister indicated, is more than a Minister is paid. The focus of attention should be on savings to the combined pay and pensions bill, not just the pay bill. Why are we not focusing on real reform of absenteeism such as sick...

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: There are very few dismissals for under-performance that I can see.

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: We look forward to it. I am concerned that we would have real reform. Why do we still have a situation where there are more or less no dismissals for under-performance? I am fortunate to have a granddaughter who grew up in France. She is studying in China at the moment. She has been there for some time but she goes back and forth. Her ambition is to become an ambassador or work in the...

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I hope I can say everything I want to say in eight minutes. I called for this debate a couple of weeks and thank the Leader for finding time for it. I read the second progress report on the public service reform plan and was fascinated by how much was in it. One of the issues that immediately comes to my mind, given my experience of the private sector, is the length of time it takes to...

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: Will it detail salaries, contracts and the exact cost of roads and hospitals, with total transparency?

Seanad: Public Sector Reform: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: If that happens, it is good. We need to know what funds are going to charities. It is coming up to six years since the collapse in 2008, but little has been done to tackle quangos. The Minister has argued that information is available, although he might be saying it will become available. If ir was available now, we would not have Deputies in the Dáil going through the charade of...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: A few weeks ago we had a very good debate about the possibility of avoiding strikes in what we called critical utilities. We did not manage to convince the Minister that something should be done about it and that we should follow the example set in a number of other countries, but we were discussing only water and electricity. I have not yet heard the result of today's vote, but personnel...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: First, let me declare an interest. I have been involved with Peter O'Mahony and the team from the very beginning. How long ago was that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (11 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I am very enthusiastic about the whole concept. Although Mr. O'Mahony mentioned start-up businesses, LinkedFinance does not cater for start-up business but for those who have been in business for two years. Will Mr. O'Mahony comment on that? He also referred to the British system, which seems to be very successful. Am I correct in stating that Great Britain has a different tax...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 9: In page 17, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “15. (1) A mechanically propelled motor vehicle is required to carry a warning triangle from 1 January 2015. In the event of a breakdown or accident, the warning triangle must be placed in a visible position to the rear of the car. (2) A mechanically propelled vehicle is required to carry a yellow...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate what the Minister said. We are agreed on the principle. I am happy to withdraw the amendment on the basis that the Minister will introduce a similar one in legislation at a later stage. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister. I had not realised the amendment had been taken in the Dáil. That answers my problem and I am happy to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister for his explanation of mini-roundabouts. I would like to see what are the stipulations in regard to them because I am frustrated by their variety and find it difficult to make law that treats them all as the same. I imagine that if I were prosecuted for breaking the rules on a mini-roundabout and felt it was unfair I could take a photograph of it and bring it to the...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 6: In page 16, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “14. (1) In the event of a motor accident, the driver of a motor propelled vehicle is required to stop at the scene of an accident and provide assistance. (2) In the event of a person of a motor propelled vehicle not stopping to provide assistance to a person in danger they may be punishable with a...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister has given a logical opinion and I appreciate what he said. Penalty points for offences that do not lead to traffic accidents should be regarded in a different light but I take the Minister's point. I am delighted he thinks we should examine the possibility of turning left on red and I hope he will consider it. I refer to amendment No. 5, which I did not realise was being taken...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I have two amendments but I wish to support Senator Barrett's amendment as well. In respect of part (iii) of that amendment, when will we introduce the legislation with regard to children and tobacco? I would love to think that will happen. I realise Senator Crown has strong views on the matter and has been urging the change for some time. I can understand the points that have been made...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate what the Minister has said. The intention of my amendment is being met if not immediately then certainly with next year's Bill. We do not always get around to achieving everything immediately, but the words the Minister has used satisfy me that the intention is there and the outcome should achieve what we set out to do. I appreciate what the Minister has done and I will...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: I am happy to second Senator Barrett's amendment. I have my new driving licence and am very proud of it. I am rather embarrassed to admit that I never passed a driving test. There are some advantages to being old enough to have got a driving licence when people did not need to do a driving test. I agree entirely with Senator Barrett, who has made a very strong case.

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2014)

Feargal Quinn: No time at all.