Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: I support the call of Deputy Brian Hayes for a debate on the abuse of cocaine. It is not taken seriously enough because it is often considered as a drug for the middle and upper classes. I compliment "Fair City" on highlighting this issue recently. A trend is developing in Ireland after discos where people return to parties in houses not to continue drinking alcohol, but to take cocaine. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator was doing well until she said that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: It took the local elections.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: Please continue, Senator.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House. I agree with the spirit of the motion which states that the first-time buyer's grant has been abolished and VAT on house purchases has been increased. As a member of a local authority for the past 18 years, I fully empathise with and support the structure and the good work it does in the housing areas. In many cases the...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: Wait until 2005.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: Does the Minister of State think the builder is going to absorb them? If the levies increase the prices go up. The Minister of State should cop himself on.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: It is contributing to homelessness.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State should tell that to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: It is getting worse.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: I have raised this matter on previous occasions, both in the Dáil and the Seanad. I have a copy of a statement I made on this issue in the Dáil as far back as 26 November 1997, which is over six years ago.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: May I ask a brief supplementary question?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: What is meant by band two? The school about which Senator Mansergh spoke was in band three. Based on that, I presume band one is higher up in the pecking order. Is that correct?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: The school authorities would dispute the fact that the school is at stage six of the process, but that is another matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: Where is the Senator's website?

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Senator is only being confrontational, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator O'Toole's point about the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland tries to conform to this protocol even though it is only a small economy compared to the US and Russia. The implications of the Kyoto Protocol, in particular the emissions directives and carbon taxes, will be felt severely by businesses in Ireland in the very near future. Given that President Bush is beholden to the oil...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: One can place a bet with Paddy Power on the colour of the tie the Minister for Finance will wear to read the Budget Statement.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: A situation could arise where an individual may have several vessels, some of which operate in non-EU waters. A serious breach could occur in EU waters on which the Minister would take action. Would the other vessels operating outside EU waters be penalised? The Minister of State said the Minister would revoke other licences.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Finucane: I endorse those sentiments. I recently spoke to the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, about the fact much legislation was coming through this House. I was grateful for his response in that he said he liked to bring most legislation to this House before bringing it to the other House. It augurs well for the quality of the Seanad and the debate when a Minister gives it recognition in this way.