Results 61-78 of 78 for speaker:Francis O'Brien

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Francis O'Brien: I am glad to speak here today and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I gather that the Minister, Deputy Walsh, is in Luxembourg representing our interests, as he has done so well and so often in the past. He has been a truly outstanding Minister for Agriculture and Food. His record in office and in Fianna Fáil since 1992 will stand up to any reasonable scrutiny. At all times,...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, and congratulate him on the wonderful work he has done and is doing in the CLÁR programme. I trust the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be somewhat courteous on the issue of time when I get to the end of my speech. This crossfire in the Chamber reminds me of local authority politics at its best. It is not appropriate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Francis O'Brien: Many people are concerned about the increasing use of drugs around the country. I ask the Leader to ask the appropriate Minister to come to the House for a debate on this issue. I also support Senator Brian Hayes and Senator Dooley's remarks in complimenting the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Francis O'Brien: We see the improvements in road safety due to the measures taken by the Minister. It would be wonderful to see a major improvement in the drugs problem. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Francis O'Brien: The mid-term review of the CAP, which concluded in June, represents the background to today's debate. The Minister for Agriculture and Food deserves to be congratulated on another excellent negotiating performance in Brussels. The outcome of the talks generated some criticism in certain quarters, but it would be a very unreasonable evaluation of that outcome to suggest the Minister had done...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Oct 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes and the other speakers who wish both Governments, the Taoiseach, Deputy Ahern, and the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, well. I place on record my congratulations to both Governments and all others in Ireland, England, America and Northern Ireland involved in the talks and in the Good Friday Agreement for the wonderful work they have done in recent years and weeks....

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I congratulate the Minister on a job well done in Brussels. It was an excellent performance for which he deserves the congratulations of the House. I also commend the Ministers of State, Deputies Treacy and Aylward, and the negotiating team. A great deal was agreed for Ireland, despite tough opposition. I especially welcome the preservation of the financial advances agreed under the Agenda...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I ask the Deputy Leader to ensure we have a debate on agriculture. The Minister deserves our congratulations on the wonderful deal he has struck after hard negotiations over the last two weeks. It is wrong to try to misinform the public that there is to be a 25% cut in milk production. The Minister will explain the true facts of the deal, which are that the cut is to be approximately 4%. He...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I ask the Leader to call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, to investigate fully the incident which took place on Sunday evening after a GAA match in Casement Park. The incident happened in Portadown when supporters from Monaghan were travelling home by bus. Four buses were stoned. It is completely unacceptable that on a Sunday evening, between approximately 6 o'clock and 7...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). (21 May 2003)

Francis O'Brien: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to discuss the important issue of rural development. It is encouraging to see that rural development initiatives still feature prominently in the policies being implemented by the Government. Senator Bannon is wrong to say that it has been forgotten. I assure the Senator that rural...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). (21 May 2003)

Francis O'Brien: My own area of Latton in mid-Monaghan and the neighbouring areas of Carrickatee and Tullycorbet have derived considerable advantages from the CLÁR programme of support measures introduced by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A great part of the rural localities of counties Monaghan and Cavan could be put forward as a template of the type of area the CLÁR programme was...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (8 May 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister to the House. The deadlock that grips the peace process is a source of great frustration to all those who have the interests of this island close to their heart. The way in which the process stalled on the verge of an historic advance was a cause of particular concern for people in Cavan and Monaghan. The Border counties witnessed the many years of conflict at close...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Francis O'Brien: Will the Leader ask the appropriate Minister to come before the House for a debate on insurance? Motor insurance premia for young drivers and small industrial concerns continue to rise. The latter cannot afford to pay their insurance premia in many cases because of the increase in costs. Members have asked for a debate on this matter on previous occasions and I acknowledge that we had a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I support Senator Jim Walsh's call for a debate on public liability insurance. However, it should be about all types of insurance, including car and house insurance. The insurance industry has put prices through the roof. Competition is gone. The number who fail to get insurance is serious. The Leader should invite the Minister to the House to discuss the issue.

Seanad: Fischler Proposals for Agriculture: Motion. (12 Feb 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward. I denounce the Fischler proposals and commend the Minister, Deputy Joe Walsh, for the courageous stance he took last week at the meeting of farm Ministers. He joined the grouping known as The Friends of Farming in the Council to formally reject the Commissioner's package. The group, led by France, has the backing of at least five other states,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Francis O'Brien: I ask the Leader to raise with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, an intrusion by British army helicopters during an Ulster GAA fixture last Sunday between Armagh and Monaghan at the Crossmaglen Rangers GAA grounds, Crossmaglen. I was at the match and three helicopters hovered over the pitch, landing and taking off again at the army base. The noise of the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Hospital Services. (18 Dec 2002)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I offer my deepest sympathy to the mother and family in Monaghan on the sad loss of an infant, which always touches the heart of the community. Coming up to Christmas, our thoughts are with the Livingstone family. I have been in touch with the Minister and voiced my concerns on the health service problems faced by the people of Monaghan....

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Aylward, to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. Contrary to Senator Bannon's comments, I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, on his magnificent achievements despite all the difficulties of the past year, including the very bad weather of last summer. I...