Results 61-80 of 13,236 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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. (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. (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: 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. (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: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes with regard to the constitutionality of the dual mandate. I also agree with Senator Jim Walsh that our party was in favour of the theory behind the dual mandate but we are not happy with the way the Minister has presented it. Senator Brian Hayes has already called for a debate on Northern Ireland. It is imperative that we have such a debate soon because...

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

Joe McHugh: The debate on this Bill should make us reflect on our own lifestyles and health. This Bill is appropriate and important because it introduces competition to health insurance. BUPA and VHI hold a monopoly. As a 32 year old male I have never been targeted by BUPA or VHI so I will take this opportunity to talk about men's health and health insurance. Statistics prove that men do not look after...

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

Joe McHugh: Many men do not, as the statistics prove. There is no point in our talking about health insurance if we do not recognise that men do not buy into these schemes because they think they are indestructible. Every young man, and I even include Senator Feighan, who is 40, in that—

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. (27 Feb 2003)

Joe McHugh: About four years ago an employment task force strategy was set up in Donegal in light of the decline in the traditional manufacturing sector, that is, textiles. That strategy was set up to look at alternative industry for the region by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney. It is imperative that we bring the Tánaiste into the House in light of recent...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to address the direction democracy is taking in our society. I remember arriving in politics at a local democratic level in 1999. I was told at that time never to ask a question in the local chamber without first knowing the answer to it, which I may have done previously in my naiveté. The person who told me that was suggesting that the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I concur with what has been said about tourism and I ask the Leader to arrange a speedy debate, especially on the need for a greater emphasis on community led tourism. It would be excellent for the country if the Americas Cup were held here. Tourism should be addressed in tandem with a review of internal aviation. Flights should be able to come from Farranfore to Carrickfin without having to...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: I would like to compliment Senator Terry on bringing forward this Private Members' motion. The Minister acknowledged that there are inadequacies in the system and that it needs to be reformed. Senator Feeney's attack on Senator Terry was out of line.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: Senator Feeney attacked my colleague for highlighting the inadequacies of our democratic system.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Joe McHugh: The Senator undermined the motion before the House. This is the first time that the Minister has acknowledged that there are inadequacies – he put up his hands and said that reform is needed. In effect, he acknowledged Senator Terry's work. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, who is a member of the Progressive Democrats Party, has acknowledged that there are problems, but the Fianna Fáil Party...