Results 261-280 of 417 for speaker:Michael Comiskey

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I thank the Minister for coming to the House today and for the co-operation he has shown. He has been to the House with the Bill on a number of occasions. I acknowledge the funding that has been allocated to the animal welfare agencies. I take the opportunity to thank the Minister and his staff for helping out the farming community on the issue of fodder in the recent difficult weeks.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join my colleague Senator Mullins this morning in congratulating the people who were worked for the past ten years on and yesterday launched the Beara to Breffni walk. It is a great walk and takes approximately two weeks to complete at one go or one can do it in stages. It takes in ten or 11 counties, finishing in Leitrim and Cavan. We have another project in north Leitrim which I have...

Seanad: Wind Energy Guidelines: Statements (15 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this interesting debate. Security of energy supply is vital for the economy and for society. That supply must be continuous and must meet the everyday needs of homes and businesses. Ireland's energy network compares favourably with those of our European counterparts and maintaining that network must be a priority if we are to continue to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the deal done on discards in Brussels after a marathon session. I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for chairing the meeting. This will address the issue of badly depleted fish stocks. It is immoral to see millions of tonnes of fish being dumped overboard just because fishermen were not complying with quotas. The deal will mean a ban of 93% of...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I wish to raise once again the fodder crisis. While I acknowledge a good debate was held in the Chamber last Thursday, the position has worsened since then on foot of very bad weather. First, I welcome the Minister's decision to double the transport subsidy. This has been a highly positive move since the issue was discussed in the Seanad last Thursday. I now seek the speeding up of the...

Seanad: Fodder Crisis: Statements (9 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 14 May 2013.

Seanad: Fodder Crisis: Statements (9 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister to the House. A succession of abnormal weather patterns has resulted in the critical shortage of fodder for farms and created real hardship for rural communities. Before concerns about fodder levels had arisen, the Department was working with Teagasc, the farm animal welfare bodies to assist farmers in recovering from last year's very bad weather only to see this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sale of Coillte's Harvesting Rights: Discussion with Society of Irish Foresters (7 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I thank Mr. Magner for his presentation. The committee is very interested in the subject. I would like to see the recreational aspect of forestry developed more and a lot more can be done. I am concerned about the sale of the harvesting rights. It is important that we hold onto them as it affects a large amount of lands. Planting is mostly done in private forests. Has enough planting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Harvesting Rights: Discussion with Irish Timber Council (2 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the delegates. I have found listening to them very interesting. I, too, have had concerns for a long time about the sale of Coillte harvesting rights. I believe Coillte can do a great deal for us not only in the area of the growth and sale of timber, but on the recreational side in terms of walkways, etc., which have been allowed to deteriorate in some parts of the country. A...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I agree with my colleagues that there is a serious fodder crisis. However, I want to compliment the Minister on his work so far. He has made €1 million available and this is covering the cost of bringing in hay. I disagree with my colleague, Senator Leyden, about the south-west or south-north scenario he mentioned. Connacht Gold is importing fodder in the west and it is covered...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis: Discussion with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister and thank him for the briefing and for keeping the committee updated during the last few difficult weeks. I welcome the move to keep pressure on banks. It is very important that banks lend money to help those people who have difficulties. The moves by co-operatives to bring in fodder are also very welcome. Connacht Gold has compounded a cheap ration, which I...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Pat The Cope Gallagher, MEP (25 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome Mr. Gallagher, MEP, and we are delighted to have him here. It is good to listen to him and he is an inspiration to all of us, as we are all learning. I come from County Leitrim and we have a very short coast, so we are not known for our fishing activities. We are learning as we go along. The Irish fishing industry is an important economic activity, contributing €700...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I wish to congratulate all of the students who were here yesterday and on their behalf, extend my thanks to the Cathaoirleach, Senator Susan O'Keeffe and all of the staff and Members of the House for the way they were treated. I have been in touch with a few of them and received messages from them last night and this morning. They had a very enjoyable day which was also very educational....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I, too, join with my colleagues on both sides of the House in their call for support to be given to the farming community. The problem seems worse in the south. Having listened to the stories debated at my party's meeting at 9.30 a.m. a letter will be sent to the Minister. Yesterday evening at a meeting of my parliamentary party, as my colleague,...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I reiterate what my colleague, Senator Mooney, has said. It is important to have solidarity between farmers now. I will telephone my colleagues in the IFA this morning to make sure that farmers with fodder will transport it to the areas that are stricken and in difficulty. My party has been involved in this procedure during difficult years. We worked with farmers who had fodder, covered...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

Michael Comiskey: Over the past number of weeks, it has come to my attention that a serious problem is developing along the Border. Heavy machinery and tractors are being stolen. It is alleged that many of the machines are going north and being exported through the ports in Northern Ireland. I call for greater co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. I welcomed the co-operation we...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join my colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, in welcoming the good news announced yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, that all dogs will be microchipped. This is a good move. It will create better animal welfare in the first place. It is important that we keep the cost to a minimum and that there is no extra cost, in addition to the licence fee, on dog owners. For any of us who have...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I join colleagues in wishing Jimmy Walsh well in his retirement. I have been a Senator for less than two years and those of us who are relatively new to the House have come to know Jimmy very quickly. He always has a friendly smile and is willing to offer advice. I welcome the news that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has agreed to send helicopters to the aid of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion with Musgrave Group and Tesco (26 Mar 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I thank the Musgrave Group representatives for their presentation. I also come from County Leitrim and we have a number of good SuperValu and Centra shops around the county. There is a new one in Manorhamilton, for example. The jobs provided by these shops are important. Ms Clancy said all the beef, chicken and lamb purchased by the group is Irish. Who decides the price the company pays?...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2013)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the news about the CAP reform deal agreed last night. It is good news for all farmers. It has been in progress for two years or more and I congratulate the Minister on it. There will be a redistribution of funds from farmers in receipt of very high payments to those with lower payments. This is welcome because we all know farmers who are struggling as in recent years they have...