Results 1,121-1,140 of 1,451 for speaker:Michael Finucane

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I second Senator Brian Hayes's proposal. When the Hanly report was announced originally, at least Senator Leyden said it should be binned. It is interesting to note that the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, announced last night in reference to local hospitals that he supported the Hanly report's recommendations vis-à-vis Nenagh hospital. Therefore, Senator Leyden's comments may...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: He has more money for horses than humans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Leader must read the newspapers. Does she not read The Irish Times?

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, subsection (1), line 14, after "funds" to insert "of which a minimum of two-thirds is dedicated for the community media sector.". On Second Stage I spoke about the importance of community radio and the need to develop it. I also referred to the start-up costs involved in many cases. If we are to develop community bases, whether it is in radio or television,...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I understand the Minister's point about ring-fencing a certain portion of the fund. Regarding Senator Quinn's point, I was giving a rural example as I come from a rural location which makes me cognisant of the rural scene. I have also been lobbied on the urban scene. Regardless of whether community radio or television is urban or rural, I want to ensure it gets off the ground and survives...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I respect the Minister's sterling defence of the Civil Service. I said that if the Department's senior head of the broadcasting division had reservations about 5% of funding going towards the Bill and if RTE had similar reservations, one is inclined to be doubtful about the spirit and intent of this regarding community radio and television. The Minister elaborated on this in the same way as...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I welcome the assurances given by the Minister and Senator Mooney. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I will be very brief. I propose the new subsection on the theme on which I had been talking a great deal, namely, the concept of community radio and television. I felt, on the basis of the Minister's reassurance, that good proposals from community radio and television would be considered. If those subparagraphs referring to "contemporary community culture" and "current dimensions of community...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: An Post is projecting a negative image by being involved in the television licence issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: The Minister of State responded to a recent Adjournment debate on the radiotherapy service and the expert review report and stated that distance to travel for treatment ranked 13th in order of priorities for patients. The expert review group commissioned a study on this matter, but it is a flawed document and I want to correct it. Most of the survey was carried out in Cork and Dublin where...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I support Senator Brian Hayes's request for the Minister to come to this House to answer questions on electronic voting. I am fully in favour of electronic voting because anyone who goes through a close count will be aware of the emotion and anguish one's family and supporters experience. I will tell the Minister that it is very infuriating to find returning officers not franking ballot...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: On a previous occasion the Cathaoirleach allowed me to raise the need to abort the sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Limerick mainly on the basis of the fear and intimidation of the people involved in the jury. This is another classic example where there may be suspected intimidation. While I am not saying there is, a climate of fear pervades in Limerick. We must consider the views of...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: I give the Bill a guarded welcome. A statement made by the Minister to the effect that there was to be a clamp-down on profiteering from sales of radio broadcasting licences was carried in yesterday's Irish Independent. Many of those licences were issued 14 years ago and licence holders are now making excessive profits. The licences have made millionaires of many people and one might say good...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2003)

Michael Finucane: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: Criminal activity in Limerick city has been discussed recently and this week has provided further evidence of the effect of the criminal fraternity on the local population. Ten jurors out of a total of 579 were eventually appointed to take a case in the Central Criminal Court in Limerick, despite the assurance of Garda protection for those participating in the case. That is symptomatic of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: Roscommon County Hospital is taking over.

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: I thank the Department's officials for sending me a briefing note on the Bill. This is a composite measure to implement international conventions and protocols, which is why it is described as a miscellaneous provisions Bill. We have been discussing pollution at sea a great deal lately, particularly oil pollution. This Bill is part of a cohesive package to deal with that area. The Minister of...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: It is within the Minister of State's remit at the Department and he is also a Wexford man.

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: I know that and I would not like him to have a short honeymoon.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Cancer Services. (23 Oct 2003)

Michael Finucane: On many occasions I have raised the importance of a radiotherapy facility for the Mid-Western Health Board region. I raise it because many people who suffer from cancer require radiotherapy treatment and must travel long distances for it. The expert review group's conclusions were greeted with much disappointment in my area, although from soundings taken in advance of the publication of the...