Results 781-800 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Over the past six weeks there has been a problem with fireworks which are now being set off continually. We have all recently heard the concerns of the visually impaired, especially regarding guide dogs. In many cases, they have failed to function effectively as a result of having been terrified by such fireworks. The problem is now in every urban community, and I would be surprised if all...

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, for his attendance. This is an issue which will concern him as he too comes from west Limerick. The industry in Castlemahon and Kantoher, now Kerry Foods, is involved in the production of chickens. It is synonymous with the west Limerick area where it continues to provide valuable...

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Will there be any consultation between the Department and the company involved?

Seanad: Poultry Industry. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I accept that. Would it even be brought to the attention of the company that this was being raised?

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. After many years as a Deputy, he deserves his place in the sun having been appointed as a Minister of State and I wish him well. His popularity extends beyond his party throughout Leinster House, which says a great deal. The issue before us has been debated at length in the House. I respect the great work that was done by the committee that was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: In the programme for Government a commitment was given that the Government would improve accident and emergency waiting times and that senior doctors would be available at all times. Yesterday, the Tánaiste apologised to the people who were on trolleys and said there was no quick-fix solution to the problem. As Senator McCarthy mentioned, on the Joe Duffy programme it was highlighted that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: There is collective responsibility in Cabinet. The crisis in our accident and emergency services that was highlighted yesterday was known last winter. We are now facing such a crisis again. Is the Government serious in its intent to implement what it said in the programme for Government. Urgent action is required. I ask the Tánaiste to do something about this problem and get on with it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Sinn Féin——

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: The usual approach is for the Government to criticise the Opposition with regard to Garda numbers for the two years in which it was in office in recent times. It should be noted that during the Celtic tiger years from 1997 to 2002, the Government recruited an average of 150 gardaí per year. The praise lavished on the former Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, was somewhat unrealistic...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: If this is achieved, the Garda will attain respectability and status from the citizens who have decided to make their home in Ireland. I welcome such a development. I also welcome the Minister's assertion that although the Irish language is important within the Garda, it should not be a barrier to recruitment if a person does not have leaving certificate level Irish. It is grossly unfair that...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Many others also await evidence of the strength and commitment of the reassurances given by the Minister to this House on many occasions. The 1997 programme for Government pledged that to enable the Garda to concentrate on crime control, a community warden service would be recruited by local authorities to reduce the workload of the Garda. This never happened. Perhaps many objectives are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: This time last year we discussed the crisis in accident and emergency units. We are again discussing the same issue this year. Anyone who listened to the media will have heard the horror stories of people lying on trolleys awaiting admission to hospital. It is interesting that in the UK a person cannot be left on a trolley for more than four hours. In Ireland, many people remain on trolleys...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I wish the Minister of State well in his position and welcome him to the House. In tabling this matter on the Adjournment, I am conscious of the fact that the scheme was ratified by Limerick County Council in its assessment of need at a December 2003 meeting. It was fifth in its priority sequence and I know that the matter has been passed on to the Minister of State's Department. The area...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Yes. The programme was operating from 2004 to 2006. On the basis of what the Minister of State said, the scheme would probably be considered in the context of a programme beyond 2006.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Some 14 months ago, the tragic death of Róisín Ruddle occurred after she was sent home because an operation could not proceed at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. The then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, promised an investigation into the affair but there is still no sight of it 14 months later. Last Monday, operations on two children were cancelled with one...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: Senator Browne is more diplomatic than Senator Leyden.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: It means a lot to retain one's position, so I also congratulate him. I do not intend to extol the virtues of Newcastle West as a location for decentralisation because on many occasions previously in the Dáil and in the Seanad I spoke on this issue. As recently as 21 May last I spoke on the issue and was responded to by the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Minister for his reply.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: I am glad common sense has prevailed and there has been an extension to 10 p.m, although I am not fully in agreement with it because it should be 10 p.m. all year round. Many people with young children go into pubs which serve food at 8 p.m. but they are often told they cannot be served food because they might be there beyond 9 p.m. If one's order is only taken at 8 p.m, one may not be served...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Finucane: The issue of one-off houses has been brought sharply into focus by the case of the holiday home of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. While the debate on that case is ongoing, I am aware of a young couple who, having paid €40,000 some years ago for a site, have been turned down for permission to build a house because it is classified as ribbon development...