Results 41-60 of 78 for speaker:Francis O'Brien

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Francis O'Brien: I am delighted to speak on the motion. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and her team on the good work that is being done. I particularly congratulate them on the new action plan for agriculture for the years ahead. Agriculture faces many challenges in the years ahead but working together, Governments and the farming sector can meet those challenges. As the Taoiseach commented...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Francis O'Brien: The Minister for Agriculture and Food came before the House approximately two weeks ago. It is always a delight to see her in the House——

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Francis O'Brien: ——on account of her honesty and knowledge of farming. Despite criticism from Opposition benches every Member will agree she is one of the finest Ministers we have had for some time. I am sure she would be delighted to return to the House to discuss any issue related to farming. I am not from a beet-growing area and will not speak on the subject. There was some criticism of the Minister in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Francis O'Brien: ——but it is unfair because some areas of farming are thriving and she is doing a very good job. We should all wish her well. She is doing a particularly good job in Brussels on behalf of Irish farmers.

Seanad: Acute Hospital Services: Statements. (20 Oct 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, to the House to discuss this sad event. I thank the Leader of the House, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State for arranging to have this debate, which was called for yesterday, at such short notice. I express my sincere sympathy to Mr. Walsh's family and his extended family. His family has...

Seanad: Animal Diseases: Statements. (20 Oct 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I congratulate Senator Feeney on her role as Acting Chairman. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and support the measures taken by the EU Commission and member states to address the threat posed by avian influenza. I agree with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, who underlined the importance Ireland attaches to effectively addressing avian influenza from the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I join with others in asking the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to come to this House at her earliest convenience to debate the serious incident in Monaghan General Hospital. I would like ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I express my sincere sympathy to the Walsh family on the death of Mr. Patrick Joseph Walsh. It is very sad, particularly after the numerous sad events at Monaghan General Hospital, that another death has taken place there, a death that could have been prevented. Watched by his nephew, this man bled to death for seven hours. Expertise in the hospital could have saved the man's life. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I would like to address the issue of special needs, which was raised by Senator Burke. It is no reflection on the Minister, because we have one of the finest Ministers ever——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House. There are difficulties with regard to special needs.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Francis O'Brien: There is a difficulty at primary and secondary level and I would like to have a debate on it.

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Francis O'Brien: I am delighted to speak to the amendment. I welcome my colleague and friend, the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, to the House. This is my first time to address the House in the presence of the Minister of State. I wish him well in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food. He was an excellent choice and the post was well deserved as he has been a very...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Francis O'Brien: When the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, addressed the House earlier she also said that a rail system was being promoted for the transport of beet from Wexford to Mallow. This would be very effective as was the rail system in years gone by, in our fathers' time, when cattle were transported by rail. It was a very effective system and it was very unfortunate that in my neck...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Francis O'Brien: As I said, I am not familiar with the Carlow area. Cavan and Monaghan are certainly not famous for growing sugar beet.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (8 Dec 2004)

Francis O'Brien: I thank the House for allowing me to speak about the late John Francis Conlan. I grew up as a neighbour of his and knew him all my life. God rest his soul. There are many stories and much has rightly been said about the late John Francis Conlan in the House this morning. He was a true gentleman. I express my deepest sympathy to his wife Lily, son Seán, daughter Marie Therese, sister Kathleen...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Francis O'Brien: I ask the Leader to convey my concerns to the Minister for Health and Children about the ongoing problems in Monaghan hospital, including the fact that it is not back on call.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Francis O'Brien: I support my colleague, Senator Wilson, and commend him on his interest in both Cavan and Monaghan. We had a tragedy yesterday involving a man who lived within 500 m of Monaghan hospital. An ambulance arrived in four minutes and took him to Cavan hospital, but he died on the way. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House to debate the whole issue of accident and emergency...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Francis O'Brien: The former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, gave money to Monaghan hospital——

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Francis O'Brien: He gave money to Monaghan hospital. However, I call on the new Minister and the North Eastern Health Board to put Monaghan hospital back on call.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Francis O'Brien: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the new Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan. Many people have commented that she is the first woman in the post but what is most important is that she is the first Minister for Agriculture and Food from the BMW region since Mr. Ray MacSharry held the post from 1979 to 1981. Mr. MacSharry was a great friend to Irish farmers and the new...