Results 13,121-13,140 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Hospital Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I was only quoting what that organisation stated. I call for a direct intervention with the management at Letterkenny and I know the Minister of State will use his good offices to ensure that such an intervention is made. I do not intend to turn this issue into a political football because there is too much at stake in Letterkenny and the surrounding area. Perhaps it would be appropriate,...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I again ask that an intervention be made in respect of 40 new beds and 20 new nurses. The cancellation of elective surgery is a major problem and it is a matter we must monitor. I acknowledge the fact that it is planned to extend the accident and emergency department. I also acknowledge the ongoing work of the Department of Health and Children....

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the contributions. This has been an interesting debate which starts rather than stops here. I am not totally satisfied with the Minister of State's response but I understand that there must be a strategic element to this and to the approach taken. I still believe in the European project and, as citizens, we must believe in it and in our autonomy in the Council of Ministers where...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the Irish language lobby groups which have been lobbying hard and have brought this issue to the fore and to the public's attention. That is not to undermine the work of Senator Ó Murchú and his involvement in promoting the Irish language. There is an inextricable link between culture and economics. If we are to save the Irish language in the long term, there is no in point...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I move: That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to avail of the opportunity, given Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, and the fact that the accession of new members to the EU will result in a recognition of additional languages in the Union, to have the Irish language recognised as an official working language of the EU and its Institutions. Seo díospóireacht faoi cheann de na...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: A commitment was given in the 2002 election on the Irish language. On the other side of the House Senator Ó Murchú is a persuasive advocate for the language but it is not recognised officially at EU level. We should keep our eye on the ball regarding a vote that is coming up at EU level at which we will have an opportunity to make Irish an officially recognised language. There are three...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: —but that is done by some Members on the other side of the House. In 1972 we missed the ball in this regard and we should not miss it again. There are up to 20 or 21 other recognised European languages and even accession states are being earmarked as countries whose languages will be recognised at European level. Is the Government not interested in the Irish language?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the new rural social scheme for 2,500 people announced in the budget. I welcome it but it does not go far enough to deal with rural development problems and there should be a debate on farming and rural development. Under the CAP reforms, farming and rural development will go hand in hand and it is important that we keep the portfolio under observation. Will the Leader consider No....

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: Fine Gael did not table any amendments to this legislation as it is a straightforward Bill. I wish to raise the question of the infrastructural needs and deficits of the west coast and west Donegal. The Irish word for infrastructure is infreastruchtúr. As a learner of Irish at beginner level, I have been told that there is a better Irish equivalent word – I believe the word is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: He was not attacked.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: As today is budget day, which will involve considerable debate on both sides of the House, I do not want to go into this matter yet. However, the staff at Letterkenny General Hospital are experiencing a serious work overload. The nurses there are working at 110% of capacity. For the past two days they have had to close the day care unit because they do not have 40 beds which were promised by...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: While I agree this might be suitable for discussion on the Adjournment, it is serious. Even if money is thrown at us following today's budget, it will not solve the problem. There is an infrastructural deficit concerning beds that should have been provided. I call for the Leader's intervention.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: Tá failte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Bhille seo. Tá brón orm nach labharfaidh mé as Gaeilge inniu ach tá mé ag dul go rang seachtainiúil. B'fhéidir go mbeidh tuilleadh muiníne agam an bhliain seo chugainn. I welcome the Minister and this timely Bill, with which my party has no difficulty. I also welcome the fact that the Minister spoke as Béarla. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: There were problems before the rainbow coalition came to office.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: It is outrageous behaviour.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: From a health point of view.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: That is why they brought in the chemist.

Seanad: Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: The Senator should mention Deputy Perry also.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. It is appropriate that he will respond to my comments, as he pays attention to matters in County Donegal as part of his national brief. I would like to discuss the difficulties being experienced by St. Mura's national school in Buncrana and Monreagh national school in Carrigans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Joe McHugh: Each local authority has different ways of promoting tourism. The catchy slogan of Donegal County Council is "Up here it's different" and this has worked well over the years. Following on from the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes, I want to raise what is happening at national and local authority levels. This week the Bill introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local...