Results 221-240 of 417 for speaker:Michael Comiskey

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by the Pope: Motion (19 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this wonderful motion. I remember the great buzz of excitement which accompanied the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979, which took in Dublin, Galway, Maynooth and Knock.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by the Pope: Motion (19 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: That is right. It would be wonderful if we could extend to Pope Francis an invitation to address the House. Like previous speakers, I do not know how we would go about doing that. The State could certainly issue an invitation. Pope Francis is a very humble man and he has managed to attract the attention of younger people. There is a need to encourage younger people to become involved. As...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Industry: Statements (19 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We must be positive about these industries and promote them in whatever way we can. As previously stated by many contributors to the debate on the greyhound industry, it is an important sector which contributes greatly to the sporting and economic life of the country. As has already been acknowledged, over 10,300 people are employed in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coastal Farm Holdings: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (20 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I have had many calls from farmers around the Maugherow and Mullaghmore areas in Sligo. Fences have been damaged with much debris washed up on the land. The main problem is land that was ripped away and will not be able to be replaced by May. I welcome the news that farmers affected will not be penalised between now and May. However, will they be penalised if they have not removed debris...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coastal Farm Holdings: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (20 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I thank the witnesses for the approach they took earlier. As my colleague stated, it was very pragmatic. I welcome Dr. Smyth's offer to write to the NPWS. We are trying to repair the damage caused by the sea and it would be very unfair to penalise a farmer in any way for trying to bring land back into production after damage caused by the sea.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coastal Farm Holdings: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (20 Feb 2014)

Michael Comiskey: Farmers were penalised for having scrub. We would argue that some of the scrub would be broadleaf scrub, so the leaves would be off it and the cattle would graze through it, but they were still penalised. I am referring to 2013. A number of farmers have been in contact with us on that issue. That is basically the problem. Deputy Ó Cuív has outlined it in greater detail, but is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bull Beef Sector: Discussion (4 Mar 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I thank the delegation for its presentation. One the face of it one would almost imagine there was no problem, yet a number of farmers are protesting up the street today. At our meetings with farmers in the past month or six weeks there has been anger at the way they have been treated, particularly the bull beef producers. They are suffering serious cuts and in some cases do not even get...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Mar 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I support and agree wholeheartedly with Senator Martin Conway on the Wild Atlantic Way. I was at its launch in Sligo a couple of weeks ago. Along with it, we have a number of other projects. We now have a greenway being proposed for County Leitrim and it is important we get funding for it. My colleague, Senator Terry Brennan's county, Louth, also has a greenway.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Mar 2014)

Michael Comiskey: We should come together to ensure we put all our efforts into ensuring we obtain funding for all of these tourism projects as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I share Senator Denis O’Donovan's concerns about fisheries and the large boat fishing off the coast. Small fishermen who have difficulty surviving and making a living contact us regularly. They are very worried when such large boats hoover up all of the fish. If there is anything we can do about this, we should. I welcome the moneys made available by the Minister of State at the...

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following:“Seanad Éireann – acknowledges:- the importance of the beef sector to Irish agriculture; - the ambitious development strategy for the sector set out in Food Harvest 2020 and the Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the strategy; - the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I express my gratitude to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, for visiting Leitrim on Friday last to inspect a number of projects.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: Wait until Senator Leyden gets the good news. The projects were funded through the Leitrim Development Company. The Minister visited Tullaghan and Kinlough in Leitrim. This is the good news. A total of €3 million has been spent in north Leitrim in particular over the past number of months. Some of these projects have been finished. Working is proceeding on more of them and will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State. As my party's spokesperson on agriculture in the Seanad, I am delighted to be here. I support the call made by my colleague, Deputy Joe O'Reilly, that we look at targets set for the regions. I come from north Leitrim. The larger regions towards the east coast are doing quite well, whereas counties such as Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal may not be doing as...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I am delighted this morning to announce more good news in the food industry. The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation and a Norwegian company have come together to build one of the largest food-processing plants in the world. It will produce ingredients for human consumption. This plant will be in operation by 1 January 2017 and will create many jobs in the Killybegs area, producing...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach to the House and call Senator Ó Domhnaill.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: Allow the Minister of State to reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: Sheep were in Kildare Street again yesterday evening for the launch of the World Sheep Shearing Championships to be held in Wexford from 17 to 25 May. This event will bring about 300 entrants from throughout the world and will bring approximately 40,000 visitors to the south east. This is very good from a tourism point of view and is most welcome.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Michael Comiskey: It is timely this morning that I raise the issue of wind and call for another debate on wind energy given that people are on the streets of Dublin protesting against pylons and wind turbines in certain areas of the country. It was very much highlighted in the news over the weekend how we need now to produce more renewable energy from wind and wave. There are vast areas on the western...