Results 12,781-12,800 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Hospital Staff. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State for his response. Political capital should not be made of an issue as sensitive as this. Cancer is becoming too common among communities in County Donegal and the issue is of concern to every family. While the Minister of State set out some new information with regard to proposals by the HSE, a change in mindset is required. Patients from Malin Head face a long...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: By way of trying to dig up a few positive aspects of the transportation plan, I acknowledge the Atlantic corridor proposal in terms of its facilitating access to counties Cork and Waterford. However, the corridor does not deal with the issues facing Donegal people. Some 140,000 people have highlighted on an ongoing basis that they need direct access from Letterkenny to Dublin. One should try...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: I want a record of every minute of the meetings that took place. Senator Norris stated he found the launch of the transport document "invigorating". Try telling that to the cancer patients coming from Donegal to Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: It takes them six hours in an ambulance.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Joe McHugh: Senator Norris should try telling them it is invigorating. The only people travelling by road who have direct access to Dublin are those who travel after midnight, at which time there is not much traffic, such as tractors with slurry tankers. It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I support the comments of other Senators on the Ferns report. I got an opportunity last night to go through it briefly. Perhaps the subject is a bit raw to debate now. Many details of the report were heard in the rumour factories of the 1980s and 1990s and, therefore, some of the allegations as to what went on do not come as a surprise. It is important that we take Senator Maurice Hayes's...

Seanad: Salmon Fisheries Report: Statements. (19 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. I have a few questions about the National Salmon Commission, which has been discussed at length in Oireachtas committees. In respect of the representative group body on the commission, I know the Minister of State intends to appoint a nominee from Fáilte Ireland at some stage. Point 4 of the terms of reference of the commission...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Last week the Leader acceded to a debate on road tragedies and road deaths. Has there been any update on when this will happen? There is growing demand for such a debate in the House. The following matter will be close to the heart of the Leas-Chathaoirleach as he is from the west of Ireland. I am delighted Senator Norris raised the issue of An Taisce's objections to An Bord Pleanála. We...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I concur with what previous speakers have said. Domestic violence against women is only a political issue in respect of funding and intervention and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet on this sensitive and delicate matter. Some €20 million per annum is provided for services for female victims. That is a great deal of money and it acknowledges the fact domestic violence against...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Exactly. A total of 29% of women, or one in three and only 5% of men, or one in 20, report these incidents to the Garda. While I do not wish to take from the arguments regarding domestic violence against females, there is an issue if only one in 20 males report domestic violence to the Garda. The three figures I have highlighted must be considered and evaluated. We must ask whether we are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Many nurses who complete their training in the United States find it extremely difficult to obtain nursing positions in Ireland. Many of these nurses are Irish, they are aware that a demand for nurses exists in Ireland and they find it quite frustrating and distressing that An Bord Altranais states that the degree course at Villanova University does not contain adequate clinical hours. I wish...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I wish to raise the difficulties at St. Eunan's secondary school in Letterkenny, an all-boys secondary school that used to be a boarding school. In particular, I am concerned that the school does not have enough space to accommodate its current enrolment of 800 students. The school's authorities are experiencing major problems in facilitating its teachers and students within the existing...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: No. I went to a mixed convent school.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: The Minister of State has spoken about demographics. It is important to note that Letterkenny, like Derry, has gateway status. Many commentators have said that Letterkenny will have city status at some future time. I do not think demography should be an issue at this stage. Letterkenny is a heaving town that has seen a great deal of development. Whether that development has been done in a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the previous speakers who spoke of the tragedy in County Donegal at the weekend. The tragedy has caused a sense of numbness in the Inishowen Peninsula. Five young people from Inishowen and one young person from Derry have lost their lives. Inishowen is a close knit community and this has sent shockwaves through the peninsula, but the families and the community in general affected...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe McHugh: Resources are the key factor for Inishowen. It is important that this is done sooner rather than later.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Joe McHugh: I agree with Senator Maurice Hayes on his point about the exploitation of Polish workers. There must be proper mechanisms to prevent any form of exploitation of any foreign immigrant. September is a month in which politicians are inundated with phone calls from students and parents on the subject of student grants. Politicians have developed an institutionalised way of thinking in which we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Joe McHugh: As from 1 October a new EU regulation will require sheep for export to have a double tag. This affects, in particular, farmers along the Border and Donegal farmers in particular who, on an annual basis, export approximately 70,000 sheep to Foyle Meats in Derry. The current position is that the Department does not issue tags and sheep farmers do not have a second tag for their animals. The...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: Senator Mooney made some valid points. I have an interest in this as well because in 1969, part of Leitrim was in part of Donegal South. I have done some study of this matter. Regarding the Minister's own constituency, in 1921, Kildare and Wicklow were one constituency but as a general trend there has not been much movement. In fairness to the case made for Leitrim, however, Leitrim has been...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: Perhaps people should have a voice on future commissions. In regard to Donegal, in the 1918 Westminster elections, Donegal had four constituencies — North, South, East and West — and as late as 1977 we had one constituency. To return to a point raised earlier by the Minister, people want a connectivity with their politicians. That desire is growing and we should focus on it. Perhaps in...