Results 12,821-12,840 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: I endorse the calls by Senator Finucane and Senator Minihan for a debate on Northern Ireland. It is both timely and necessary. We must look at this in a positive light. We have moved on since 1997. I do not wish to underestimate the experience of Senator Leyden and Senator John Paul Phelan in Palestine where they had guns pointed at them. However, guns were pointed at people on a daily basis...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: A hospital in Altnagelvin, which is five miles across the border from Donegal, offers breast screening but this service is not available in Donegal. The proposed gas pipeline between Derry and Letterkenny has proved to be economically unviable. If it is economically unviable it has been established in deference to the political will on both sides of the Border. The debate that we need in this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: I agree with Senators who have spoken about Irish being finally recognised at EU level. We can join together in a proud manner in this House because we have set the precedent of not turning the Irish language into a political football. I commend Senator Brian Hayes on facilitating the joint debate and also Senator ÓMurchú. One of the commercial reasons for having Irish recognised as an...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome this opportunity to contribute to this important Bill. I wish to refer to 1997, although I will not use the example of that year as a watershed for a political debate, or 1996 when I became involved in debates on the issue of disabilities through my involvement in the community development sector. People with disabilities were targeted as an category in respect of which there was a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Joe McHugh: I am prepared to defer the motion on placenames tonight although I know my colleagues, including Senator Ó Murchú, will have done much preparation. On the issue of the Irish language we have a set a non-political precedent in this House because both sides believe it is too important to be used as a political football. This debate is not just about placenames, it is about the Irish people's...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. We first debated this matter in May of last year and we should continue to do so to keep up-to-date, focus and undertake research in this area. CNN and Fox News broadcast a simplified version of the Iraq war as a war on terror whereas Senator Norris believes the war was about oil and...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: The word was used by people I met on the tour circuit. I was quoting US citizens who imparted their opinion that the US President was an idiot.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I am transferring, through the political process, the opinion of others.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: Does the Chair wish me to withdraw the reference?

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: The Chair has much more experience than I.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I will withdraw it.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I was simply passing on the message from people I have met who would be of a Democratic Party disposition.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Acting Chairman for his intervention. I appreciate that he has much more experience than I in this regard. The situation in Iraq is serious, as is that in Northern Ireland. We have tried everything and are faced with a grave problem in Iraq. A solution will not be found overnight or in the short or medium term. We must weigh up every aspect and angle, including UN intervention. At...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: I did not intend to speak on the Order of Business but wish to make a point in regard to rushed legislation. I am a Member of this House only a short while and do not have the experience or dexterity of many other Members. However, I have made one discovery during my time here. I have learned that better legislation is formulated when it is teased out and debated. Rushed legislation is bad...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: It is very hard to get around to each person individually.

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Bill 2000 changed from Sea Pollution (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) (Civil Liability and Compensation) Bill 2000: Committee and Remaining Stages. (19 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: On the Order of Business this morning, it was stated that rushed legislation is bad legislation. One might think that Members are rushing this legislation through, but this is not the case. As the Minister of State is aware, it has been bandied about for four years. I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, on...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (12 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: A high standard has been set, today on the Adjournment debate, so I hope I am up to speed. It is appropriate that we have had a debate on rural housing today. In this context we tend to talk about addressing depopulation and the decline of services, whether post offices, shops or schools. There is a connection as regards the corollary of depopulation and the decline of rural schools. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: Whenever RTE is successful in getting coverage in the Six Counties, it might nip over to Donegal, where some parts do not receive RTE either.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: That is quite original; I have not heard it before. I concur with Senators Ó Murchú and O'Toole, and when the Six Counties get sorted out, I will just nip across the Border. We have had the special privilege in Donegal over the past six months of being visited by several Ministers including Deputies Cowen, Hanafin, O'Donoghue, who came three times and is there again today, Roche, Martin,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2005)

Joe McHugh: Bear with me a Chathaoirligh, I have just one more Minister to mention and it is a fairly minor one. The Taoiseach has also visited.