Results 181-200 of 417 for speaker:Michael Comiskey

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: We will, and I will be brief. I welcome the budget in general. All of the vibes so far have been positive, especially from the point of view of agriculture. There is good news for the suckler welfare scheme, which will now be called the genomics scheme, under which €60 will be paid for every calf that is born from 2014 onwards. The old suckler welfare scheme has left the scene....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: We are disappointed the telephone allowance had to be taken away. If that measure had not been taken, some other equally harsh measure would have to have been taken. I welcome the fact the two Ministers are discussing allocating money to a senior alert scheme, which will be a comfort to anybody who lives in a rural area and is dependent on the telephone. The telephone companies have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forage Fish: Discussion (17 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I thank Dr. Pikitch for the presentation. We have learned a great deal from it. I do not come from a fishing county or have a fishing background but what we have learned is very interesting. The important message is the balance of the ecosystem. Something that did not come up at this session but came up earlier this morning is that it is very important to protect the indigenous small...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I am concerned about reports in the newspapers yesterday where a major construction company working in the south of Ireland in Kerry is not paying its subcontractors. This construction company is carrying out public works. These are large jobs and the company is employing many subcontractors. If subcontractors will be left unpaid, it is worrying and serious. I wonder at what Stage is...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (23 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and thank him for coming to the House. I appreciate this opportunity to put on the record my congratulations to the Minister and his Department on concluding successful negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy. The new CAP was delivered on time and puts in place a policy that is fit for purpose for agriculture in the future and consistent with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Border Region Road Links: Discussion with NRA (24 Oct 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome Mr. Barry and Mr. Nolan and I thank them for the presentation. Most of the points I wanted to raise concerned the N16, which has been covered by Deputies McLoughlin and Feighan and Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, MP. The Glenfarne part of the N16 is very important for us; I live in north Leitrim and travel the route regularly. As Deputy McLoughlin has stated, the Sligo side has a couple...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Liquid Milk Market: Discussion with Strathroy Dairy (5 Nov 2013)

Michael Comiskey: Most of the points have been covered. I thank both witnesses for coming here and making a presentation. I suppose it is all about how much milk is sourced in the South, and the number of jobs that Strathroy Dairy is creating in the South. Senator O'Neill asked whether the dairy buys milk from mainland Britain. There is a fear among Southern farmers with regard to Northern milk coming in,...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join my colleagues in wishing Tom McGrath well in his retirement. The newspapers today report that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, is calling for a yellow card system for farmers who are penalised. This is a very good idea which I support. The number of farmers being penalised has increased from 1,079 in 2009 to over 3,050 in 2012. This is a difficult time for...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Nov 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister to the House to debate this very important issue pertaining to the Irish fishing industry. Ireland has 7,500 km of clean coastline which contributes €700 million in national income and supports 12,000 local jobs. It is vitally important that this resource be protected when necessary from abuse by a minority. The programme for Government includes a commitment...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2013: Motion (4 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As we are aware, budget 2014 included a provision to allocate just over €54 million, in an 80:20 split, to the horse and greyhound industries. This is a significant allocation and reflects the importance of both industries to the economy and sporting life. It is estimated that the combined horse and greyhound industry supports 24,000...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join with colleagues in welcoming the news that Ireland has been voted the best country in which to do business. I hope that our progress will continue in 2014. I also welcome the progress made by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in opening up the Japanese market to Irish beef. This is important and will create more jobs. I welcome even more positive...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I wish to remind students this morning that college application deadlines are coming up in January. It is important that they are aware of this and that they fill in their applications promptly. Agricultural courses are very popular again. Demand for agricultural engineers is very high. The Institute of Technology Tralee, ITT, has fielded weekly calls from prospective employers inquiring...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House; it is good to have him here with us again. Like my colleagues, I welcome the fact that the troika will be leaving very shortly, which is good news for all of us, and it is great that we will have our sovereignty returned as we approach Christmas. I hope it will give people a boost so that they will go out and do a bit of shopping. My colleagues...

Seanad: Critical Utilities (Security of Supply) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: The Senator's time is exhausted.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: The order of the House is that the Minister will be called at 6.50 p.m. If the Senator wishes to share time with Senator Crown, he may do so.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: No.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: The Minister, without interruption.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join my colleague, Senator Denis O'Donovan, in raising the issue of farm payments. I received a large number of telephone calls at the weekend from farmers who are facing a deduction in their entitlements, ranging from €500 to €1,600 or €1,700. This is happening because of the upgraded camera system which is very sensitive and picks up everything. Many of the...