Results 12,661-12,680 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Joe McHugh: Yesterday the people of Church Hill witnessed streams of cars coming from Letterkenny Garda station. One commentator pointed out to me that it was like "Hill Street Blues" at one stage. This precedent has been set in Donegal and the people there do not want it and will not stand for it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I want to raise the important issue of the incidence of multiple sclerosis, MS. Unfortunately, Donegal records the highest levels of MS in the country and due to the fact that we do not have a consultant neurologist in Letterkenny General Hospital, MS sufferers must travel to Dublin to see a consultant. I know the issue of centres of excellence is close to Senator Norris's heart. We do not...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 1: In page 11, line 27, after "fish" to insert the following: ", but for the avoidance of doubt does not include a seafishing boat". I welcome the Minister and his official back to the House. It was timely and fortunate that I had the pleasure of meeting members of the fishing fraternity — the drift net and draft net fishermen — outside the gates following yesterday's...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 2: In page 15, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: "(8) The master of an Irish sea-fishing boat may depart from the terms of any notice under subsection (7) where exceptional circumstances (such as force majeure, the safety of the crew or the safety of the vessel) so require.". During our general discussion on a similar amendment on Committee Stage, I...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I understand the need to legislate for all ills. Recently, a councillor from the south suffered a wrathful response for asking that a special dispensation be granted to an old man who drove his tractor to the pub for two pints. There has to be a level playing field because legislation cannot be passed to allow some people to drink two pints, while prohibiting others from doing the same. We...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 3: In page 31, lines 43 and 44, to delete "2 months' and substitute "1 month'. We discussed the length of prison sentences on Committee Stage. We propose to reduce the sentence from two months to one month. Our concern is that there may be instances of fishermen who make mathematical errors or mistakes when filling in log books, thus stepping outside the legal framework....

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I am singing from the same hymn sheet as the Minister in terms of obeying the law. The introduction of sanctions to make people adhere to the law will protect the overall industry. I wish to raise two issues, the first being due process. There is a fear that due process will not occur in many cases. What will due process be in terms of identification of a ship that is working outside the...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 4: In page 32, line 20, to delete "€5,000" and substitute "€3,000".

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 5: In page 34, line 5, after "and" to insert "may be subject". I will try not to deviate from the point but I am trying to provide as much information as I can in anticipation of the debate that will take place in the future. This amendment was discussed on Committee Stage yesterday and the Minister refused to accept it. However, I ask him to reconsider.

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 6: In page 38, line 3, after "appealable" to insert the following: "save for an appeal to the High Court on a point of law". This amendment was also discussed on Committee Stage. I refer again to the rights of the majority of fishermen who go about their daily business without breaking the law and who invest substantially in their fleets. Those fishermen have been...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: We are faced with many dilemmas in the fishing industry, the greatest of which is balancing conservation and sustainability with livelihoods. Fishermen came to Leinster House yesterday from the area in which Senator Kenneally resides, from Mizen Head, from the west coast and Gola Island, Inch Island and Urris in north Inishowen. These fishermen spoke of surviving and of their traditional way...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: No, but there will be girls if the sons get married.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: It is not being well looked after.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I received a letter yesterday evening from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. I assume every Member received the same letter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: This letter is a perfect example of reactionary politics and political spin. The Minister is reacting to a situation in such a way as to justify his own position. In doing so, he referred to one part of the country, namely, Dublin. When the Minister is drawing up these analyses, could he outline how many new gardaí are sitting behind desks and engaged in administrative work, rather than...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion. (22 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank the Independent group for tabling this motion. It is important to be proactive rather than reactive in the debate on health services. It becomes clear that this is a live debate when one speaks to those directly or indirectly affected by cancer. Unfortunately, whether through family, friends or the local community, Senators will all know...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion. (22 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: Give us the roads. It takes seven hours to travel from Malin Head to Dublin.

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 16: In page 30, subsection (1)(c), lines 20 and 21, to delete "(including the capacity thereof)". This amendment deals with fines not paid within the required time. The Bill reads "in the event of such fine and costs (if any) not being paid within the said time, such fine and costs (if any) may be recovered by distress and the sale of such boat". It is a worthwhile...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 17: In page 30, subsection (4), line 46, to delete "€5,000" and substitute "€3,000". We want people who break the law to be penalised but a fine of €5,000 is harsh for many offences. We propose a reduction to €3,000. I am reminded of a man from Donegal, whom I met yesterday, who received the grant of planning permission yesterday from the Minister's previous...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2006)

Joe McHugh: Can the Minister clarify the words on page 30, lines 43-45: "Where the master of a boat fails or refuses to comply with a request made to him or her under subsection (3), he or she commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000." Did the Minister say "may" or "is"?