Results 821-840 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: I previously spoke on this matter during the Second Stage debate and I do not intend to elaborate on what the previous speakers said. I am disappointed with the outcome of this debate. The original suggestion regarding dormant accounts was made by the late former Deputy Jim Mitchell in his capacity as the then chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. I was enthused by what the Minister...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Minister indicated that Deputy McGinley said he was fair minded. When the criteria are published and I write to him regarding someone who conforms to the criteria, will he give me, as an Opposition representative, the same attention he would give a Government Member?

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: I am a member of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources which has been discussing energy policy recently. Senior officials from the ESB have appeared before the committee. The Minister has made a definitive announcement that there is no case for privatisation of the ESB. It is therefore very difficult for people to appreciate what is happening. A proposed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Senator's favourite hotel.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: Like many rural Oireachtas Members, I welcome decentralisation. However, I want decentralisation by consent, not by compulsion. As Senator O'Toole rightly stated, if the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service will discuss this issue, so much the better. We all remember when the plan was announced in the budget and the signs stating "Welcome to Parlon country — decentralisation...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Finucane: We are glad the Senator got the envelopes back. His detection was excellent.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the legislation. I remember speaking in the other House, over four years ago, about the merchant shipping Bill, when it was incorporated, part of which related to jet skis. At that time local authorities were seen to be involved. I expressed reservations then as to how the legislation would be enforced. I still have reservations as regards enforcement although I know some local...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: The legislation to break up Aer Rianta was passed in the Dáil last night. Perhaps the Deputy Leader would indicate whether it is intended to bring it before the Seanad before it goes into recess on Friday week. There are indications that 13 of the 15 members of the transport committee voiced disapproval of this rushed legislation and want it deferred until the autumn for further...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State is speaking of the Committee of Public Accounts. The new chairman will not be responsible.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: ADM Limited was not mentioned once.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I recall that during a heated discussion on this issue during Private Members' time, I was extremely vocal in my criticism of the con job that is being perpetrated by the Government. I was present in the Dáil when the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, stated that the board would be established as a separate entity so it could be independent in its divesting of funds. He said that such a...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: That is the reality of what happens and Senator Daly knows it. The same will happen with this fund because that is what the Government does with this type of funding. Fianna Fáil cannot resist pulling the stroke and it has pulled a major stroke in regard to this issue——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: ——and Senator Daly knows that. That is regrettable. We talk about catering for people experiencing disadvantage and those with educational needs. That is laudable but where will this money be dispensed? It will be in the areas where representations are made, particularly by Fianna Fáil politicians, and in marginal areas. The Government will do that with the ambition of winning more...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I listened to the Minister a few months ago and he carried on with the same waffle. Does he want me to read out the comments?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: On a previous occasion I raised the issue of Travellers' convoys and recent incidents in Wexford and Ballyhaunis. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that many Traveller families have integrated well in the community, such as in Rathkeale and Newcastle West. However, it is unfortunate that several bands of Travellers, moving between different locations during the summer months, bring disrepute to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: Over two years ago, the Government announced a serious aviation policy. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport to come to the House? If anything, the aviation policy is something for the future rather than the present. The chairman of Aer Rianta said his dealings with the Minister are extremely difficult and he accused him of a draconian policy in regard to Aer Rianta. The legislation...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator O'Toole's remarks on the NCT. I recently participated in a protest march at a local testing centre in Abbeyfeale. Some 500 people participated in that march, which was symptomatic of the frustration people feel about the NCT and the perception that vehicles are being failed for minor reasons. If one wishes to analyse the results of the local and European elections, the poor...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: A combination of all these factors is driving people frantic and people regularly approach me to express their views on them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: At least President Clinton met us.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Michael Finucane: I agree with the last speaker with regard to the ESB. What the unions have done in Moneypoint is very welcome. Given the capital investment in Moneypoint which the ESB has promised, something must be done with regard to the environmental aspect of the station. For a long time in our area we have been putting up with the spewing out of sulphur dioxide. Nearly 50% of the entire national sulphur...