Results 61-80 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: They appeared to call for a softening of attitude on the question of nurses' wages. Today the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, expresses surprise at the reaction of Fianna Fáil backbenchers because all she is doing is implementing Government policy. The Minister, Deputy Harney, promised in the programme for Government that there would be contracts for consultants. Now, with...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Government says a great deal on partnership and so on, but it should get on with its business and do the job for which it was elected. From outside, the health service appears to be in anarchy.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Government established the HSE.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, got rid of the health boards. The Senator has amnesia.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: That is nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Rubbish.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It is not point scoring, it is reality and the Senator knows that.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Senator has been cloistered in Trinity for too long.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Minister's speech sounded like a Laois-Offaly rally.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Leader should not be so touchy.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The sad reality is that only three minutes are available to me when the Minister could prattle on for 30 minutes. As for the launch of the national development plan, I tend to be sceptical of such massive launches. In the past, although the privatisation of eircom involved a massive launch, we now face all kinds of telecommunications problems and have no real competition within that...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: It was agreed on the Order of Business this morning that there would be a suspension of at least 30 minutes.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: I wish to return to the issue of television. Many Irish people who emigrated to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s do not have access to computer television programming or satellites at present. In that context they could be regarded as being media poor. How can we ensure they have access to Irish television in the UK?

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: There is much competition between satellite, terrestrial and cable broadcast providers. On Second Stage, all Members welcomed the necessity to switch from analogue transmission to DTT. However, commercial concerns exist about the provision of the DTT platform and to what degree it could impact on the other commercial operators in this field if State funding were provided. Will the Minister...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Since the Minister's presentation and speech on Second Stage, many of us were approached by digital radio mondiale, DRM, providers and yesterday attended a presentation in Buswells Hotel. It was very impressive in terms of improving signals and extending their range across Europe. Data I have received from RTE suggest it will not, however, represent an ideal alternative. Does the Minister...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Yesterday, I attended a presentation on DRM. It appeared to be an effective signal as it was shown projecting clearly from Portugal to Cyprus. With DAB, a signal can fail if one passes underneath a bridge. I am not an expert and this is new technology to me, but I would not like RTE to have an initial bias in favour of DAB without having considered the other option if it is more effective....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: Fine Gael has always called it a slush fund.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: The Acting Leader should clarify the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: We will stick to that.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Finucane: On a previous occasion, I raised the possibility that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources might come to the House to address us on the issue of An Post. There is now a sense of urgency in respect of this issue because we all understand we will see the wholesale closure of post offices once the general election campaign is over. I understand An Post is holding off...