Results 13,221-13,240 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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

Joe McHugh: Only a child.

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

Joe McHugh: We think we are like Robocop. That is why I welcome the Bill. It introduces competition into an area where BUPA and VHI enjoy a considerable monopoly. I have never received a mail shot from either organisation. Their advertising does not have any impact on me. That being the case, it means they do not need my custom because they have the market tied up. Competition is important but we should...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the calls for a debate on suicide. The issue is predominantly concerned with the mental health of young males. In view of this, perhaps the debate should be widened to cover other mental health issues involving young men, especially given their involvement in violent crime and drug and solvent abuse. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements. (19 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: The message coming through the media is that this is a predominantly urban problem affecting places such as Limerick, Cork and Dublin. Senators Brady and Brian Hayes may be in a better position to talk about this issue from first hand experience in their own areas. The closest town to my home is Letterkenny, a growing urban centre – people are beginning to speak about it attaining city...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Youth Work Act 2001. (19 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: The Youth Work Bill came before this House as a result of effective lobbying by the youth work sector, including youth work providers throughout the country. The legislation represented an acknowledgement of the role of youth workers in rural and urban centres. It is now 2003, yet we are still awaiting the full implementation of the legislation through the VEC structures. It is imperative to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Youth Work Act 2001. (19 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State. I know from listening to her that she has a passion for the subject and is genuine in her interest.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister. I also thank the Leader of the House for her efforts in trying to secure the Minister's presence here since I first placed this item on the Order Paper six months ago. I congratulate the Minister on his openness and frankness. We are all in this together. We have a problem in rural Ireland which it will take a long time to get sorted. When I first became involved in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: On a point of order, four Senators wanted to speak in the debate last night but could not get in.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister to the House. I compliment Senator Cox on the candour and honesty of her comments on better local government. Without being political, she has given an honest view of what is happening on the ground. In my own short experience of three years in local government, there have been considerable changes through the Better Local Government initiative and work carried out on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I ask the Leader to contact the Minister with responsibility for insurance matters as we will have a serious situation this St. Patrick's Day. It would be inappropriate if ours was the only country in the world with no festivals on 17 March, a day celebrated in America and other parts of the world reached by the Irish diaspora. It would be ironic if ours was the only country which could not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I am delighted the other side of the House has finally acknowledged, albeit in a roundabout way, that rural Ireland is in a mess. Job losses, rural development and rural planning have created a nightmare.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: Before Christmas, my colleague, Senator Paddy Burke, and I ploughed a lonely furrow in our efforts to have a debate on this issue attended by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. Last week the Leader agreed to try to arrange for the Minister to come to the House. This is a matter of deep importance for people living in rural areas.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: Is this a Leader's reply?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: Although I welcome the announcements about the CLÁR programme, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to come into the House for a discussion, as was done last year, because there is a feeling among community groups nationally that there is no transparent mechanism for obtaining funding from the programme. This is quite a worry,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Fisheries Policy. (4 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Ahern's, participation with the delegation from Donegal after Christmas. I also acknowledge his honesty. A few blunt instruments have been used in regard to Donegal due to the fact that perhaps things were based on anecdotal evidence as opposed to scientific data. I will not use this opportunity as a launching...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Fisheries Policy. (4 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister for his frankness. We can move forward on this issue. Scientific data is the key for next December.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2003)

Joe McHugh: I concur with the sentiments expressed by Senators Finucane and Ryan on crime. We have an opportunity to bring the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform before the House, not just for the purpose of his making a statement on the matter but to allow Members the opportunity to engage in a constructive debate. We should not take our eye off the ball in looking at crime on an all-island...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joe McHugh: I agree with Senator McCarthy's comments about local government reform. I will not be supporting any dissolution of the dual mandate unless certain conditions are attached.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joe McHugh: I wish to raise the matter of the consultancy fees for feasibility studies that have been commissioned by the Government. Yesterday, following a meeting with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, in Donegal, it came to light that many projects will not be implemented over the next two or three years. As everyone is aware, new feasibility studies will have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joe McHugh: If I am satisfied with certain conditions.