Results 1,701-1,720 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: The Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 was signed into law by President McAleese on 10 March 2009, almost 12 months ago. The position of legal services ombudsman has not yet been established. During the debate on the legislation, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, stated the Legal Services Ombudsman Bill 2008 strengthens the mechanisms for dealing with...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: We, in particular Senator Bacik, have called on a number of occasions for a debate on the Prison Service. One of the areas we should debate urgently is the early release of dangerous prisoners due to limited space in prisons. I was impressed by the case of an American who was given to a 27-month sentence, plus 1,500 hours of community service and a $400,000 fine. That is all very well....

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I declared my interest on Second Stage in that I was a member of the Ward Union Hunt 20 years ago and I have received requests from its members to make a case on their behalf. They make a strong case that the hunting lobby was consulted, including themselves, and they understood they had a commitment from the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche,...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Norris for sharing time and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, to the House. I am pleased the points Senators raise will receive a hearing and look forward to raising several further points. In December I raised the decision by Fáilte Ireland, based on a change in administration, to arrange for subsequent courses in hospitality training to be handled by...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I entered the House with no intention of speaking, since I wanted to listen. This morning's Order of Business has been fascinating in terms of the words expressed on all sides. How valuable would it be for the rest of the nation to know what has been stated on this debate by Senators O'Toole, Harris and Mullen, who are my colleagues on this side, and Senators from all sides of the House?...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister to the House for this interesting debate. I mentioned to him previously that when I was interviewed on television three years ago, I was asked what business I would go into if I was going into business now, and I said I would go into sustainable energy. After that interview, I was impressed to receive many letters and a great deal of information from enthusiastic...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I did not say the Green Party, I said the green movement.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Senator O'Toole called for a debate on the actions taken to avoid strike action because of the cuts in the budget. A newspaper article last week stated: "The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that it is 'seriously concerned' that industrial action in the radiotherapy services, which forms part of the campaign currently under way across the public service, has the potential to compromise...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Almost every year for the 16 years I have been in the Seanad, I have made the point that we should have an extra hour of daylight in the evening. I was delighted that, even if I have not been heeded in this House, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, has been listening to somebody like me. He is now giving serious consideration to the proposal that Britain should add an extra hour...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I had not intended to contribute until I heard Senator Regan referring to the new court buildings where the witness is able to enter the court without being seen. My attention was drawn to a letter in the paper the other day, which referred to the family of the deceased having to battle their way through cameras every day to get into the courtroom. If we are going to protect those who...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: A number of us attended the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation event this morning to which Senator Fitzgerald and others referred. We were very impressed at the amount of work being done there and the level of active citizenship involved in such organisations. It focuses on the care of young children with severe disabilities who are not being looked after by the State - we do not expect...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: This is a much needed Bill in light of the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimate that up to 1,000 puppies a week are exported from Ireland to countries where there is much greater regulation. This Bill is also an appropriate occasion on which to ask the question of what we do with stray dogs. According to the Government's figures, more than 12,500 stray and abandoned...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Feb 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, and the fact that he is listening to this debate and paying attention to what is taking place. I feel a little weak in this area and do not have considerable experience, as confirmed to me when I listened to Senator Corrigan, who has a background in psychology, and also to Senators Feeney and Healy Eames. Last year, I was in a queue of...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: If the Minister for Finance responded to the suggestion I am about to make, there would be an outcry. He would be brave indeed. I want to draw attention to the tax amnesty in Italy. The last time we had a tax amnesty, the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance of the day received much abuse, but the Italian figures bear examination, given our tough economic situation. The Italian Government's...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: Some years ago a Japanese businessman said to me that if the Japanese had a brand like St. Patrick's Day, they would use it well. I say this to highlight the value of a brand. Last week Senator O'Toole referred to the importance of the National University of Ireland brand which I believe must be maintained in some way. I am sure the Minister has every intention of doing this and recognises...

Seanad: National Archives (20 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I appreciate the Minister of State rushed from the Dáil to take this Adjournment debate. I am concerned about the National Archives which performs a vital role that is often forgotten. Its purpose is two-fold: to care for past public records, some of which are, for good reason, closed to the public and to superintend the storage of archives in public institutions and to arrange for their...

Seanad: National Archives (20 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate the words he used. I was very pleased to hear him state the matter was receiving a high priority and that something was happening. When I was in Bishop Street some years ago, I was very impressed by the ability of the team and its interest. However, I still hold certain concerns. The information provided by the Minister of State on the numbers...

Seanad: National Archives (20 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I agree.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. The Bill is welcome. I am confident that when enacted, it will provide an effective and robust regulatory regime that will ensure the protection of users of premium rate services and restore confidence in the regulation of the sector. Coming from a business background I have a slight problem with the caveat emptor need. We cannot protect everybody from everything...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Feargal Quinn: That is what the customer looks for.