Results 1,221-1,240 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Tánaiste is very welcome. I would like to mention the case of an Irishwoman whose husband has been in jail in Sri Lanka for some years. The Tánaiste has the details of the case. The woman in question lives in Ireland with the couple's two children. We have not been able to bring attention to the matter. I urge the Tánaiste to see what he can do about it. He has the details...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Jim Walsh's plea, although I am not sure it needs much support as he has made a strong case and explained very well the difference between a pastoral visit from the Pope and an official State visit. The point made was that the official state visit was so successful in Britain only last year, we should be able to achieve the same success here. I am sure our parents told us...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: With the agreement of the House I will share my time with Senator Crown.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I will be as short as I can. I think everything has been said. I welcome the debate. This topic needs to be debated and this is a good opportunity to do so. We have not debated things in this way on all occasions in the past. We have closed our minds on many occasions. There has not been a debate about nuclear energy and we should have that debate before we make decisions. There should...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister has explained that well. It seems to me that in that situation, where there is a question of consultation or agreement, to say there must be 100% agreement before a particular step can be taken is unrealistic, as 100% agreement is seldom obtained. There is always somebody who is out of line. The Minister has explained it very well and I support his view.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Mullen's comments. It may seem that I am contradicting my comments on the need for 100% agreement, but there is a difference between boards of management and individuals. It is difficult to reach agreement with individuals, in that one among a large number will invariably disagree. If we give individuals the right of veto, operating the system would be impossible....

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Amendment No. 2 has been ruled out of order because it involves a charge on the Exchequer. Amendment No. 4 is an alternative to amendment No. 3 and amendment No. 5 is an alternative to amendment No. 4. Therefore, amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: We live in a very competitive world. If we are to solve the serious problems facing this country, we will have to take action in those areas in which we are insufficiently competitive. Figures published in recent days by the World Bank show we are the tenth best country in which to do business. We may well feel proud of that, but the reality is that there are nine countries ahead of us....

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Senators Bacik and O'Brien asked if there will be a need for a referendum on the fiscal compact. Whether or not one is required the decision in that regard needs to be made as quickly as possible and we need to ensure we get it right. I believe the objective in Europe is to create a Europe that is attractive to industry and for jobs. Let us ensure we work towards that with the same...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister, without interruption.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I do not know why the Opposition amendment was tabled. There is no need for an amendment to this motion, which Senator Mary Ann O'Brien drafted so effectively. It stands on its own and it should be supported. In the 19 years I have been a Member of this House, I have invariably found that Governments felt they had to introduce amendments which start with "delete all words after". I...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is most welcome, as are his words, particularly his stated objective to ensure that Irish water is best in class, a term I like a lot. I recorded an interview for RTE recently and was asked by Fingal authorities what I thought of its water quality. I said we always drank it and had never had any problem with it. I live in Howth. We had to stop because it turned out...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Mooney in his request to the Leader to remind the Minister of Health, when he comes before the House next week, that we would like to be able to talk about generic drugs. If he has the report in his possession and is able to answer questions on it, that would be of huge benefit. I am stunned at what Senator Mooney reminded us of, namely the huge difference in cost between...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: During the week there were reports on the Government selling Aer Lingus. Even considering its sale would be dangerous. The carrot is that we will maintain the slots at Heathrow Airport, but this is not a tin pot country that will put up with being told to remove ownership of the airline from Irish hands. Ryanair is a commercial concern. What would happen if we were to need a national...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Democracy is a great thing. It is interesting to observe what is happening in France, where both a parliamentary election and a presidential election are taking place this year. The range of proposals, suggestions, comments and criticisms that are coming though are very interesting. Without wishing to encroach on the remit of my colleague, Senator Crown, I was fascinated by some of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I have been looking for good news in recent times and every now and then I come across some. Agriculture has been a success story, particularly in the area of infant formula. Perhaps everybody else knew this but I did not know that one in seven children in Asia drinks Irish made infant formula. Danone is investing €50 million in a facility in Cork which is due to open shortly and,...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group for Small Business: Statements (11 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. I love this debate. The debate is so good to hear. I have listened to every word of almost everyone who has spoken. I particularly enjoyed the contribution of Senator Mary Ann O'Brien. I speak as somebody with experience of what is going on. Let me tell the House a little story - I do not remember where it came from - about the burger seller in the United...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: Senators Bacik and Mooney referred to recently deceased persons. I want to mention Mr. John McCarthy who died yesterday. I got to know him quite well through meetings in Leinster House on several occasions. He was the champion of those protecting depressed people forced to undergo electroconvulsive therapy which he himself suffered. While I may not have always agreed with him, he was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jan 2012)

Feargal Quinn: If we are going to work hard to ensure the benefits of a second Chamber are recognised, it must be done over the coming few months. If we are going to succeed in this regard, we will have to change the Taoiseach's attitude to the Seanad. Some months ago I raised the matter of illegal diesel laundering which has come to the fore again with the highly toxic sludge found on the M1 near the...