Results 1,761-1,780 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: They allowed a military dictatorship to happen. They elected Peròn. They might have done other things also. Those of us fortunate to have responsibility in these Houses do not understand we have made ourselves so uncompetitive. I went to Dundalk a few months ago when a store was closing down and asked the people whether they would have to go to Newry to find work and they said no,...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: May I have the permission of the House to share equal time with Senator Norris?

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State, Deputy Brady, is very welcome to the House to hear this debate. I listened very carefully to the two previous speakers. It was very interesting to hear the contrast of the two. Senator Boyle talked about the long-term effect on the environment of what is happening with the change in our climate and the threat to the entire future world ecology. It was very...

Seanad: Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State is very welcome. I read this Bill, not knowing exactly what it contained. It makes considerable sense to transfer the powers from where they reside. I was delighted to hear the Minister of State speak about aquaculture and the shellfish sector. I had experience of this industry years ago when Bord Iascaigh Mhara asked me to be one of three judges in a competition to...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I thank him for the explanation because I was not aware of the reason for the Bill beforehand. Those of us in the Seanad believe ourselves somewhat snubbed because we are not required to declare war or for anything in that area. The Bill confirms that Ireland can only participate in certain EDA programmes, projects or permanent structured co-operation subject to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole in calling for a debate on a live and topical issue which the House should discuss. I declare a personal interest in as much as I have been a customer of Allied Irish Banks for many years and know the people involved in this matter. I was impressed by Mr. Ed Walsh's comment the other day that the Seanad should be used to appoint successful business...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: In the United States few people would run for the position of governor or Senator unless they had been successful in some other venture, probably in business. Worrying about where to get money to pay employees' wages at the end of the week is an important element of decision making. I am concerned about the lack of balance in this regard, both in the Opposition and Cabinet. Few members of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I second Senator Norris' call for a debate, even if it just one hour long, on the election in the Seanad. It appears Senator Buttimer and others have points to make and it would be worthwhile to have a one-hour debate. I also add my word to the expressions of support on the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. There is little doubt the lack of hatred and venom and the pure Christian spirit in...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I have learned during the years in business that one gets the greatest sense of achievement from doing something profitable that is also good for the community. Many companies work to do that because of the benefits they get from it. Therefore I can understand exactly what Senators Mullen and O'Toole are doing in setting this worthy objective but I am not going to support their amendment...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senators O'Toole and Norris. It seems quite likely that in a few short years we will no longer print papers and annual reports in hard copy. Everything will be done electronically, although that may threaten An Post and others who expect people to send letters. Someone who spoke after me the other day mentioned he had received a letter in the post and found that unusual, because...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: There are two trends in medicine and health care that deserve attention. It is trite to use terms such as "win-win" but these trends relate to practices that offer good value for money. The first is the trend towards prevention rather than cure. Much can be done in this regard and we really should find time to debate the matter. The second trend is towards new technology and the phenomenon...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State. I was listening carefully to this interesting debate while I was in the Chamber or down below. During the year, I read a quote by an American columnist who stated: "The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." It was the best advice. Given what has occurred in the past year, we allowed ourselves to get greedy and...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I was trying to think of who it was and Pollyanna came to mind. I do not wish to be a Jeremiah but we must bear in mind the Japanese lesson. There is always the same old argument that Ireland is unique and different; I, too, have said it on many occasions. However, it is not different and we must take this on board. During the boom we were able to secure low cost money in Europe to fuel...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: The bringing down of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago is a reminder to us of how dependent we in the west of Europe are on Russia and Russian oil. I mention that because of the concerns we have about energy. It will be announced today that Britain is now planning to build a number of new nuclear power stations. That gives rise to all sorts of tremors and concerns in everyone who hears it. On...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: A number of Senators referred to "Morning Ireland" celebrating its 25th anniversary. I took three messages from that programme. The first was how bad things were in 1984 and yet we got out of it. The second was in regard to some of those who criticise some of the established offices in this State, including the Seanad and the Office of the President, which is often thought not useful. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: Yesterday the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, used this House to make a very important statement on Northern Ireland. He said it was worth noting that most of the challenges facing North and South do not divide along Nationalist and Unionist lines. It was good to know that RTE at least recognised the Minister's use of this House this morning on the radio, as we do not...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I recently drew Senators' attention to a track and trace system for counterfeit medicines because it is important the House is aware of the system and its benefits. Yesterday, the European Medicines Agency drew to public attention the efforts being made by criminal gangs to cash in on the H1N1 pandemic by selling counterfeit anti-influenza vaccines over the Internet. This development is...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I wish to share time with Senator Mullen. I welcome the Minister and I welcome his words. I regard myself as the only northern representative here. My mother came from County Armagh, my father came from County Down, they met in Dun Laoghaire and I was born in Dublin. Those who live far from the Border think of the North as a different country. I will exclude the Minister for Foreign...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senator Norris for allowing me to share time. Ní neart go chur le chéile. The best way to translate that is there is no strength without co-operation. I fully believe the benefits we have received from Europe are those we cherish, those we value and those we wish to maintain. I have been fairly active in European affairs in recent years, especially with EuroCommerce. Through...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Feargal Quinn: I realise the Senator would not have a problem with that. We do not hear it much but it seems to be a nasty word for anyone to declare themselves a federalist. I have met a number of senior people who believe in a federal Europe. The great benefit of the Lisbon treaty is that it avoids precisely this. It allows us the opportunity to have a more efficient Europe than would otherwise be the...