Results 1-20 of 5,893 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim (Atógáil). Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Sep 2002)

Frank Feighan: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his election to a prestigious office. It is a great day for Castlebar, Mayo and the west of Ireland where I am from. The sports complex in Longford is where all the local referendum counts are held. I had never been there before the day the last count was held and expected it would be teeming with MEPs, Ministers, Deputies and county councillors, but...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, announced in 1999 that over 10,000 State jobs would be decentralised to areas that have not already benefited from decentralisation. Nothing has happened in that regard in the past three years. He invited submissions from each county council and Roscommon County Council, of which I am a member, eagerly awaits an announcement from him. I ask the...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: I believe reform is vital if we are to have a meaningful Seanad. The promotion of awareness is important. Many county councillors and candidates for the Seanad were unaware of the functions of this House. If candidates do not know, what does the man in the street think are the duties of the Seanad? We must raise awareness throughout the country and we should meet in other venues. I welcome...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: It was very evident in my travels but it has been suppressed over the years. I am very conscious of the Irish diaspora. If we cannot allow our immigrants to vote in general elections, there should be a forum in which they could be represented. I intend the Seanad to be relevant to all people and will speak on every occasion where I feel it appropriate. I am grateful for the opportunity to...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to the House. I always found him to be a bright, honourable and courageous Minister and admired some the decisions he made in the last Government, many of which he was not allowed to implement. On this occasion however, he is making a grave mistake. The Government's planned multi-million euro savaging of the Department of...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: I congratulate Mr. Cox on an eloquent, informed and passionate speech. We have all heard the hot air and debate about the European Union and, as Senator Ulick Burke said, with all the directives being issued there is much confusion, particularly in rural communities. Several weeks ago an elderly lady who has always voted rang me to ask if she was on the electoral register. I told her I was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to the House to debate the vexed issue of funding and implementation of the national roads programme. The N5 road to the west passes through my area and it is vital for the future prosperity of the west of Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Finance, as a shareholder in the national lottery, to come before the House to explain the diabolical and discriminatory decision taken by that company to remove lotto machines from most rural post offices and shops? Most of these machines will be moved to major shops on the east coast and people in rural areas will only have the opportunity to obtain...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (23 Oct 2002)

Frank Feighan: I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon. I welcome this motion noting the deteriorating health service. It is wrong to state that the Government's health strategy is a success. It has deteriorated since the general election. I live in a small town in the west of Ireland. Last Thursday I left the Seanad to drive home, like most Senators do. I went to an arts auction, 10% of the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - National Lottery. (6 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I call on the Minister to intervene in the current lotto dispute. The National Lottery is downgrading up to 60 lotto terminals most of which are in rural areas. This will be a blow to the viability of these areas. My family business is a newsagents in Boyle, County Roscommon. I am a lotto agent and have first hand knowledge of how important it is for people to be able to choose their lucky...

Seanad: Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, 2001: Statements. (7 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House and making such an eloquent contribution. I wish him well in the future. I welcome Dr. Walsh's report. It is unusual that mental health is the only area of the sprawling health service on which such an audit is done in this way. I am also aware that it is regarded positively by many of the professionals working in the area of mental...

Seanad: Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, 2001: Statements. (7 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: Would the Minister of State reinstate them?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to explain the reason supervisors in community colleges have not been paid for up to 11 weeks? The people concerned have done sterling work since the inception of this job and their patience is wearing thin. If they withdraw their services, colleges will be forced to close down. It is scandalous.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister's speech and wish him well in a difficult brief. I also welcome the fact that the Government has accepted in full the findings of this report and has decided to refer it to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I found the €10 price of the report difficult to accept because it demonstrated a certain disdain for the victims. Given that copies of the interim report of...

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: The report cost me €10 today.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: Unemployment is high enough in north and south Roscommon.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I will be brief because I want to share my time with Senator Tuffy, my socialist colleague.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey. Fifteen years ago, as secretary of a local soccer club in Boyle, I came to this House to meet the Minister who was very courteous. He was also very generous in that he gave us a sports grant which enabled us to construct football pitches, dressing rooms, etc. That grant helped our football club but the club would not have survived over the past...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: I appeal to the Minister to restore the €3,800 first-time buyer's grant. Young people in the west are trying to purchase their own homes. They want pride, esteem and self-confidence and do not want to rely on hand-outs or council housing. Now they are being put under added pressure and councils will have to provide for them with depleted resources. People were relying on the first-time...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Frank Feighan: The Leader should be offered honorary membership.