Results 13,201-13,220 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: —and everybody is entitled to his or her opinion. As Senator Ó Murchú said, we should listen to everybody. I would appreciate if my opinion were respected also.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: If we want to continue to use the United Nations as an international body – if we want to be part of it, to contribute to it and to have faith and confidence in it – we cannot attack or go against it. We should not participate in international affairs that are not sanctioned by the UN. The Fine Gael Party has trouble with recent events because it called for a new UN resolution, but no...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I will finish my point after the suspension. Sitting suspended at 1.30 p.m. and resumed at 2p.m.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I also welcome this second opportunity to speak on this very relevant issue. We firmly believe that if the UN was given more time the Iraqi crisis could have been resolved without recourse to war. There are senior European Union diplomats from all bar two countries who hold a similar opinion. If the United Nations arms inspectors were given...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I support calls to have statements on Iraq today. To do so would be an important and timely intervention on the part of the House. Will the Leader ask the Tánaiste to come before the House to discuss the recommendations of the task force on life-long learning? A report launched yesterday highlights the fact that by 2006 there will be a massive increase in the older section of the population....

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: St. Peter replied that the man was no longer needed because even the dog could bring the paper home for him. This is an important point.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome Deputy John Bruton. From my brief experience in politics a significant event was the recent Nice treaty referendum. Without stealing the thunder from the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, Deputy John Bruton championed the cause in relation to that referendum. The Leader of the House in her vision...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: On a point of order, the Deputy appears to have misinterpreted my comments. I was referring to the 60% of the population of County Donegal who did not vote in the Nice treaty referendum. I was not expressing a personal opinion.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I concur with what has been said about tourism and I ask the Leader to arrange a speedy debate, especially on the need for a greater emphasis on community led tourism. It would be excellent for the country if the Americas Cup were held here. Tourism should be addressed in tandem with a review of internal aviation. Flights should be able to come from Farranfore to Carrickfin without having to...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I would like to compliment Senator Terry on bringing forward this Private Members' motion. The Minister acknowledged that there are inadequacies in the system and that it needs to be reformed. Senator Feeney's attack on Senator Terry was out of line.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: Senator Feeney attacked my colleague for highlighting the inadequacies of our democratic system.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: The Senator undermined the motion before the House. This is the first time that the Minister has acknowledged that there are inadequacies – he put up his hands and said that reform is needed. In effect, he acknowledged Senator Terry's work. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, who is a member of the Progressive Democrats Party, has acknowledged that there are problems, but the Fianna Fáil Party...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: The vivid cracks in the coalition between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats were evident during last night's debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 and are evident again today.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: Such differences are dangerous.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I thank Senator Terry for introducing this motion and facilitating this timely debate. We should recognise her as the real reformer in this House.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to address the direction democracy is taking in our society. I remember arriving in politics at a local democratic level in 1999. I was told at that time never to ask a question in the local chamber without first knowing the answer to it, which I may have done previously in my naiveté. The person who told me that was suggesting that the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: About four years ago an employment task force strategy was set up in Donegal in light of the decline in the traditional manufacturing sector, that is, textiles. That strategy was set up to look at alternative industry for the region by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney. It is imperative that we bring the Tánaiste into the House in light of recent...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes with regard to the constitutionality of the dual mandate. I also agree with Senator Jim Walsh that our party was in favour of the theory behind the dual mandate but we are not happy with the way the Minister has presented it. Senator Brian Hayes has already called for a debate on Northern Ireland. It is imperative that we have such a debate soon because...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: The debate on this Bill should make us reflect on our own lifestyles and health. This Bill is appropriate and important because it introduces competition to health insurance. BUPA and VHI hold a monopoly. As a 32 year old male I have never been targeted by BUPA or VHI so I will take this opportunity to talk about men's health and health insurance. Statistics prove that men do not look after...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: Many men do not, as the statistics prove. There is no point in our talking about health insurance if we do not recognise that men do not buy into these schemes because they think they are indestructible. Every young man, and I even include Senator Feighan, who is 40, in that—