Results 161-180 of 13,239 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (3 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. It is appropriate that he will respond to my comments, as he pays attention to matters in County Donegal as part of his national brief. I would like to discuss the difficulties being experienced by St. Mura's national school in Buncrana and Monreagh national school in Carrigans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: He was not attacked.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the new rural social scheme for 2,500 people announced in the budget. I welcome it but it does not go far enough to deal with rural development problems and there should be a debate on farming and rural development. Under the CAP reforms, farming and rural development will go hand in hand and it is important that we keep the portfolio under observation. Will the Leader consider No....

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: Fine Gael did not table any amendments to this legislation as it is a straightforward Bill. I wish to raise the question of the infrastructural needs and deficits of the west coast and west Donegal. The Irish word for infrastructure is infreastruchtúr. As a learner of Irish at beginner level, I have been told that there is a better Irish equivalent word – I believe the word is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: A commitment was given in the 2002 election on the Irish language. On the other side of the House Senator Ó Murchú is a persuasive advocate for the language but it is not recognised officially at EU level. We should keep our eye on the ball regarding a vote that is coming up at EU level at which we will have an opportunity to make Irish an officially recognised language. There are three...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Joe McHugh: —but that is done by some Members on the other side of the House. In 1972 we missed the ball in this regard and we should not miss it again. There are up to 20 or 21 other recognised European languages and even accession states are being earmarked as countries whose languages will be recognised at European level. Is the Government not interested in the Irish language?

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I move: That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to avail of the opportunity, given Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, and the fact that the accession of new members to the EU will result in a recognition of additional languages in the Union, to have the Irish language recognised as an official working language of the EU and its Institutions. Seo díospóireacht faoi cheann de na...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the contributions. This has been an interesting debate which starts rather than stops here. I am not totally satisfied with the Minister of State's response but I understand that there must be a strategic element to this and to the approach taken. I still believe in the European project and, as citizens, we must believe in it and in our autonomy in the Council of Ministers where...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the Irish language lobby groups which have been lobbying hard and have brought this issue to the fore and to the public's attention. That is not to undermine the work of Senator Ó Murchú and his involvement in promoting the Irish language. There is an inextricable link between culture and economics. If we are to save the Irish language in the long term, there is no in point...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to highlight the bed shortages and resultant staff problems in Letterkenny General Hospital. While welcoming the announcement of the Minister for Health and Children that there will be an extension, the problem is that the staff and management are between a rock and a hard place. They cannot wait for two to three years for the extension of...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I was only quoting what that organisation stated. I call for a direct intervention with the management at Letterkenny and I know the Minister of State will use his good offices to ensure that such an intervention is made. I do not intend to turn this issue into a political football because there is too much at stake in Letterkenny and the surrounding area. Perhaps it would be appropriate,...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I again ask that an intervention be made in respect of 40 new beds and 20 new nurses. The cancellation of elective surgery is a major problem and it is a matter we must monitor. I acknowledge the fact that it is planned to extend the accident and emergency department. I also acknowledge the ongoing work of the Department of Health and Children....

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State and strongly support the weight given by speakers to this important debate. The physical infrastructure to deal with this problem is a necessity and other speakers have highlighted the importance of directing funds towards this. The statistic that one in five Irish women is subject to domestic violence should not be taken lightly and the physical infrastructure...

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: Senator Terry is not here to defend herself.

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: With respect, this is not a political issue.

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: The Senator should keep his emotions out of the debate.

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: The statistics are there.

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: This is ridiculous.

Seanad: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence: Statements. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: That is right.

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Joe McHugh: I wish to add my weight to the debate. I endorse the motion and record my support for community employment schemes in general. I accept that some schemes have shortcomings and may be of questionable value. At one time so many schemes were in existence that some of them may have been of dubious merit. From my experience of community employment schemes in County Donegal, their contribution to...