Results 861-880 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: I compliment Senator Bannon on this amendment, which I second. I spoke on this matter last night, although the decision has been made and we will not have electronic voting at the local and European elections. According to the Government we will not have an election for another two or three years. If electronic voting is to be introduced at that stage, and there is enough time to do so, there...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Given the importance of the issue, I request a manual vote.

Seanad: Development Co-operation Objectives of Irish Presidency: Statements. (12 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Thank you, Senator. Do I add gravitas to the post?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Senator Ormonde touched on an issue I wanted to raise. The Iraqi war has sunk to the lowest level of depravity based on the images we are seeing. The person who was beheaded was not even a soldier; he was in Iraq erecting antennae acting on behalf of a contractor. It is sickening. The Americans, having entered the fray in Iraq on the first day, appear to have gone down a cul-de-sac. It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: If the conflict was in another part of the world, Mr. Rumsfeld would walk at this stage. This House had a debate on the Iraqi war when it was in its earlier stages. We had different views but at least there was a very reasonable, sensible discussion. However, we should discuss this issue again in the near future.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: I rise to support Senator Bannon and to provide the Minister of State with a practical example of an injustice under the current system. I hope the eventual introduction of electronic voting will address the problem. The current system is very unfair where there is a close race between candidates. It is fair that when a candidate exceeds the quota, his surplus is factored out in percentage...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: While I have no intention of moralising on the matter, coming from west Limerick I know of the profound effect this tragedy had on our area. I am well aware of the Government's commitments, which have been consistent on this issue. The views of the people I represent in the area would very much reflect the Government's thinking up to now. However, the leak to the BBC, regardless of its...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Why does the statement not refer to complete decommissioning?

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: They were flushed out by the BBC.

Seanad: Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: I concur with those sentiments.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: The Deputy Leader has no interest in Europe.

Seanad: Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: We have no difficulty with allowing all Stages of the Bill to be dealt with this morning because it is non-contentious. It simply raises the borrowing capacity of the ESB. Considering the context of modern Ireland and modern times, and having regard to the skill deployed in the ESB, it is understandable that the borrowing requirement should be revised accordingly. The ESB was established in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: I support the remarks of our leader, Senator Brian Hayes, with regard to Mr. Pat Cox. Many of us have read the eulogies to his performance in the newspapers over the past few days. He has been an excellent ambassador for Munster, the constituency he represents, over the past 15 years. A senior appointment in Europe for him would be significant as he would be an excellent ambassador for our...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: These people have chat shows and consistently chip away at politicians and what they earn in salaries and expenses.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: In that context, they subject us to much cynicism and ridicule. When I compare what they earn to what we earn, it is a case of the kettle calling the pot black.

Seanad: Security Measures at Farmleigh. (5 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: It is unusual to get a positive response to an Adjournment matter.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (5 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: It is disgraceful that I have to raise this issue again. The Department is conscious of the urgent necessity for a new primary school at Kilfinane, County Limerick. I previously raised the matter in the Dáil. The people of Kilfinane and surrounding area were delighted prior to the last election when it was indicated that a new school would be provided in the area. It is almost two years...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: That must be the first time that has happened.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2004)

Michael Finucane: Having watched the Committee Stage debate on electronic voting, the arrogance of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government amazed me. Any Member who raised queries on it was labelled a Luddite or accused of anti-globalisation. If the Minister had adopted a constructive tone with all the leading people in this field and Opposition Members, he might not have found himself...