Results 81-100 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 35: In page 20, line 30, after "shall be" to insert the following: "published by electronic means by the Agency as soon as may be after the gift is accepted, and shall so be".

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 36: In page 21, line 40, to delete "as soon as practicable but not later than 3 months" and substitute "not later than 1 month". This amendment corresponds with the case made a number of times on Committee Stage for speed, urgency and avoiding unnecessary delays. A period of one month is common practice in the commercial sector. The Minister should accept the amendment.

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 37: In page 22, to delete lines 7 to 10. I urge the Minister to give serious consideration to this amendment. The wording contained in the section 32(2) smacks of a previous era and seems to envisage different rules for different committees. The subsection states that the chief executive, if required to give evidence under subsection (1) – which refers to giving...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I listened carefully to what the Minster said. It seems that the provision is totally against the spirit of the legislation. Surely a chief executive appearing before the Committee of Public Accounts can be asked about the merits of a policy. The wording says that "the chief executive required to give evidence shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy". As Senator...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 38: In page 23, line 1, to delete "30 June" and substitute "31 March". I made the case for this amendment on Second Stage and do not intend to delay the Minister. It is important that we make it clear that we recognise the importance of speed in business matters. The two dates I have included are quite acceptable and should be approved. The reason I mention this is that...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: There are two points and both were covered on Second Stage – publishing the accounts and ensuring the Minister publishes them when they are handed over. I made the case on Committee Stage and I understand the Minister's view but I will continue to raise this issue. Hopefully in the future a Minister will give way and provide for a publication date of 31 March rather than 30 June....

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 40: In page 23, line 6, after "Oireachtas" to add "and shall at the same time cause the report to be published by electronic means".

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 41: In page 23, line 20, before "The Agency" to insert "(1)". This is the same point we made on Second Stage. On occasions the job given to a semi-State body is handed over to someone else and we want to ensure this does not happen. The Minister has explained that this is too strong an amendment and therefore I will not pursue the matter but I would like to hear the...

Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Report and Final Stages. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I congratulate the Minister on the passing of the Bill. The Minister listened and, although he did not accept all the amendments, he explained his reasoning. I congratulate him. If we are to make legislation accessible to the public, however, we must make sure we use modern methods of communication. The Minister is incorrect when he says that including publication by electronic means is...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 9: In page 11, between lines 34 and 35, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) The Minister shall, as soon as may be after making any direction under this section, cause a copy of such direction to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.". The amendment relates to the concept of openness and transparency and the way the Government does its business. If a...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I believe the Minister. Given his work in previous years, I know he is very open to the whole concept of transparency and openness. It appears we are now moving in that direction in everything we do. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe this is not the correct way to go. There may be a better way in this instance, but my proposal would not create any hassle for both Houses of the...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I support Senator Phelan's amendment. It is unlikely that the Minister will accept this but it would be wise to stitch into the Bill a measure to deal with the unease concerning unsuitable appointments over the years. This may not be the ideal way to address that, as Senator Phelan acknowledges, but the Minister should give attention to overcoming the criticisms that have arisen over not just...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 12: In page 12, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) In appointing persons to be members of the Authority, the Minister shall in so far as is practicable and having regard to relevant experience, ensure an equitable gender balance between men and women in the composition of the Authority.". I do not want to waste time by arguing this issue...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: It is exactly that. The Minister should accept the amendment on the grounds that we should be consistent. If some boards take this into account while others do not, the amendment is required.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: No, but I hope the Minister will consider it before Report Stage. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: Many companies now consider it unwise to make changes at once. Has the Minister taken into the account the idea of giving some members three year terms and others five years? A sudden changeover is not always the wisest course of action.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 15: In page 13, subsection (1), line 29, after "functions" to insert ", but shall hold at least one meeting in each quarter of a year". This is modelled on a similar provision in the Digital Hub Development Agency Bill. My earlier points about consistency apply again. This would add a minimum to what is otherwise an entirely vacuous enabling clause and deliver a hint to...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I thank the Minister. Amendment agreed to. Section 18, as amended, agreed to. SECTION 19.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I am unlikely to get much support for amendment No. 17. Our usual practice when we are faced with such sections in Bills which deal with the establishment of State bodies is that we go through a song and dance against the ban on elected Members of the Oireachtas. I want to extend that ban to include members of the local authority for a number of reasons. I can already hear a few sighs in the...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2002)

Feargal Quinn: I move amendment No. 20: In page 14, subsection (2)(b), line 16, after "Oireachtas" to insert "or of a local authority".