Results 21-40 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Oct 2002)

Feargal Quinn: Now that we are part of Europe I wish to raise an issue that has become a hobbyhorse of mine. Next weekend we will, once again, lose an hour of daylight. I proposed some years ago that we should join central European time, even if the British do not come with us. As I said on a previous occasion, we should be willing to leave the nursery, even if nanny does not come with us. I have no wish to...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (24 Oct 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I thank Senators Norris and Henry for allowing me to contribute on this subject, even if only to make one point. The Minister has spoken very well today and covered the area he set out to cover. He spoke of a multi-faceted approach, but I want to focus on educational disadvantage, an aspect about which Senator Henry has just talked. If we allow to continue what has happened here in recent...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: This is Fire Safety Week. It is now 20 years since the Stardust disaster. In spite of this, the key recommendations of the Stardust tribunal have not been implemented. This week the Chief Fire Officers Association has asked for an immediate response to proposals made last March by the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government who promised that within five weeks he would bring...

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

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am happy to speak on this matter, although I will find myself speaking more on food than agriculture. I had the honour of being part of the expert group 10 years ago which was asked to decide on the future of the food business in Ireland. I found myself arguing a particular case – which I did not win – which was that the Department of Food...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: We have often spoken about road safety and I have congratulated the National Road Safety Council on the advertisements it has placed. I was jolted when I learned that our public service broadcaster this week withdrew an advertisement from the National Road Safety Council because of an objection from one of its advertisers. The advertiser of the motor car which appeared in the NRSC...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I welcome the Minister. I had made my point with regard to corporate governance and will not repeat myself. The Minister understood the point made.

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister and understand the point he makes. I made my point because of what had happened in the past. I wanted to make sure a standard had not been set and to establish that, with State companies, a chairperson who is also chief executive would not be appointed, as has previously happened. That is a standard that should be avoided and I accept the Minister has achieved that on...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 19: In page 13, subsection (3), line 6, to delete "6" and substitute "5". This is a follow-up to my earlier amendments about the size of the board. With a board of 12, which is my preferred number, a quorum of six is too large. Five is an adequate number for a board of 14. It is often the case that, the larger the membership, the more difficult it is to assemble a quorum....

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I understand the Minister's point and will not press the amendment. On the tele-conferencing issue, the amendment states: (7) For the avoidance of doubt, any meeting of the Agency which is held in whole or in part by means of tele-conferencing shall be a valid meeting. As will be gathered from the inclusion of the phrase, "For the avoidance of doubt", I do not suggest and the Minister is...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 22: In page 15, subsection (1)(b), line 29, after "Oireachtas" to insert "or of a local authority". My amendment will probably shock some of my colleagues in the House. Our usual practice when faced with sections such as this in legislation establishing State companies is to argue against the ban on Oireachtas Members being members of the board. On this occasion, I...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I understand the Minister's point and the difficulty he would have in accepting this amendment. I made my point earlier and it was supported to a great extent by Senator Finucane's concern over what had happened in the past. This is a national venture but it is based locally. We have had examples where local authorities have allegedly been influenced by something other than the best interests...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 24: In page 16, subsection (1), line 14, after "Minister" to insert "and in any case within 3 months of the establishment day,". This is another example of my wanting to speed up the process. This is not a green field project; it has been in gestation for some time. Much work has been done – for which I congratulate the Minister – but three months seems more than...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 27: In page 17, paragraph (e), line 28, to delete "(in excess of €650)".

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister for his comments and I am happy to withdraw the amendment pending the outcome of his further consideration. I share Senator Kenneally's concern in relation to the wording of the Bill on this point. It refers to "gifts of travel, holidays, transport, money (in excess of €650) or other benefits.". As I interpret it, the €650 applies only to money and I feel sure that is...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: With regard to the provision that "the agency shall publish continuously by electronic means", I wish to touch on the point I made on amendment No. 6 about the difference between "compelling" and "enabling". Although the Minister has agreed to consider this matter further before Report Stage, I am concerned that I may not have made the case strongly enough. I am not seeking an amendment which...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: There is almost a fear of electronic publication. It is so much cheaper, easier and more efficient. It takes no time at all. My children use this form of communication so much more easily than writing letters. The Minister said he does not want restrict it too much but I would like the Minister to look at electronic publication. I look forward to his reply. I would love to see it compelled...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 34: In page 21, subsection (4), line 29, to delete "as soon as practicable but not later than 3 months" and substitute "not later than 1 month". I have tabled a few amendments about time. However, the timescale here is far too leisurely. We are not talking here about the publication of annual accounts or the publication of audited accounts, we are talking about the...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I did not expect the Minister to accept the amendment. It is interesting to see each year how the banks vie with one another to publish their accounts within 24 or 48 hours of the end of the financial year. They must have good bookkeeping systems to be able to do so. The accounts may not be audited at that stage but they publish them. We should be urging far more speed in regard to all...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 35: In page 21, lines 49 to 52, to delete subsection (2). This is a meaty proposal with which we have had experience in the past. I propose to delete this subsection. The proposal was made in the House and accepted by Ministers in the past, therefore I was amazed to see it turn up again. The last time there was something like this we tabled an amendment. Having had a long...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Nov 2002)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister has it totally back to front. He says that this measure will protect the chief executive from having to comment. Then he says almost the very opposite – that it will force the chief executive not to criticise Government policy where he believes it is essential. The Minister has twisted things, perhaps unintentionally. It is the section that is invidious not the position of the...