Results 1,601-1,620 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: There are some goods that will not be allowed.

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Those goods that are not allowed in include cement, which could be used-----

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: That is the reason they do it. If one has put up for many years with bombs being dropped and children being killed, it is not reasonable for one to be asked to allow ships to come in without inspection. Would anyone allow that?

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: The situation in Gaza seems to be disastrous and terrible. The people are running short of food and the other things they need to live, but they do not seem to be running short of guns and bombs. Hamas seems to be able to get these goods into Gaza, but it is unable to get food into Gaza. It is quite reasonable and rational to point that out. I say that as someone who is horrified about...

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Mullen. I welcome the Minister of State and I am delighted he is present because this issue is a challenge. I have spent the past three Mondays at different Retail Excellence Ireland training sessions in Dublin, Limerick and Cork, which were fascinating. A total of 60 people attended each session. They had been employed in other professions and they...

Seanad: Whistleblowing in the Financial Sector: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. He will recall the old Irish seanfhocal, "Éist le fuaim na habhann, mar gheobhaidh tú iasc", or "listen to the sound of the river if you are going to catch a fish". I refer to it because, having listened to Senator Ross, I hope the Minister of State will do the same. His comments must be instilled in this process. Why are we taking so long to implement...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Television is a powerful medium, never more so than last night for those of us who watched Deputy Michael Noonan speak about his dear wife. Everyone must have been in tears. It is a reminder to us of the need to look after the elderly, especially those who are unable to look after themselves. I thank the Leader for drawing the attention of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (National Convention Centre) Bill 2010: Second and Subsequent Stages (25 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Hanafin. I believe it is the first time she has been in this Chamber since she received her new portfolio, one I am delighted to see she has. Listening to the figures she gave today, it is clear how important tourism is to us. Some of the figures surprised me. I had not realised that business tourists spent so much. I know from Fáilte Ireland that tourists...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Butler for his remarks. I never heard of renewable energy feed-in tariffs until recently. I am not normally sympathetic to the IFA and farmers' lobby groups calling for something, but they issued a press release recently, about which I would like the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to be reminded. It refers to the growing of willow. Three hundred...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister of State for his comments. It does not seem like tautology for me to say his contribution and the others we heard have been very constructive - a good word to use on the Construction Contracts Bill. I have been very impressed by the contributions and found them useful. Senator Boyle said there is a need for this Bill and I believe there is. The Minister of State said...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. I am pleased to present the Construction Contracts Bill to the House. This came about from a contact I got last month from Mr. Seán Gallagher, better known from "Dragon's Den" but also from Smarthomes, who drew my attention to a problem of which I had not been quite aware. He explained the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I support the call by Senators Norris and Buttimer for a debate on whistleblowers. If this House is to be relevant and topical, we should be handling the items of the day rather than not discussing them. Senators Ross and Norris have made a strong case for that debate on whistleblowers to take place and I believe it should take place. I also support entirely the call for a debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Those of us who have a vested interest in this would like to have a say in it and we would like to be able to ensure it is debated. The other issue that attracts me is the fact that we introduced the word "innovation" into a Department two years ago. There was an innovation task force whose report I re-examined recently to see what it discussed. In that report, Professor Patrick Cunningham,...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Harris for sharing time and I welcome the Minister. It is often stated that one should never perform on stage following children and animals. One should certainly never attempt to follow Senator Harris who speaks so well and eloquently and with such passion. The Senator's message in respect of fairness and Northern Ireland should be broadcast. This is a very interesting...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: The retail and wholesale trade represents 14% of all employment in Ireland. It is a valuable sector. There have been a couple of articles in the newspapers this week about a Forfás report which stated that goods - fashion goods as well as grocery goods - are being sourced to a large extent from British suppliers and that European suppliers regard Ireland as a subset of the United Kingdom....

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I would like to add my voice to the long time lone voice of Senator Walsh on the issue of tribunals. There is little doubt that there is a serious need for debate on these tribunals. There have been concerns about the fairness, cost and inefficiency of them, so I agree with the need for a debate. Senator Butler made a point about good news. There is a danger we will talk ourselves into a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: We should recognise the opportunity we have to get things done, especially in respect of languages.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. I have spoken on the Common Agricultural Policy during the years. Approximately ten years ago Herr Fischler appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I criticised him for speaking for 20 minutes about food and agriculture without once mentioning the consumer. I have a small hang-up on the issue, that, to a large extent,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I urge the Leader that when we have that debate on finance and economic policy we do not spend our time looking back but instead look forward.