Results 121-140 of 417 for speaker:Michael Comiskey

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: It is important that the Minister act to help Sligo out in its difficulty and sort out the problem. This is not an issue we can walk away from. We must stand up to the mark and sort out the problem, just as Ireland has been helped sort out its problem through the bailout from Europe. Sligo needs a hand and we should all try to see it gets help. I also wish to raise the issue of the beef...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (11 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, to the House.

Seanad: Suicide and Mental Health: Statements (11 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Wind Energy Strategy (11 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I call on all sides involved in the beef dispute to come to the table. There is a beef forum meeting tomorrow and it is to be hoped progress will be made. Farmers have been outside the gates of factories for 48 hours, and were outside for 24 hours two weeks ago. They do not want to be there, rather they want to be at home looking after their livestock and producing the quality beef which...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the visit over recent days of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to China. Yesterday he hosted a dairy conference. China imported €270 million worth of dairy products from Ireland in 2013. With our dairy targets set to increase by 50% in the coming years, it is crucial that we have more and more exports to countries such as China. There is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I have a question on mixed holdings. What is proposed with regard to farmers who produce organic products on one part of their farm and non-organic products on other parts?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Plan 2014-2020: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I apologise for not being in attendance for the presentations but I had to be in the Seanad. I am concerned about the tone of the debate regarding GLAS and commonages. Farmers have been destocked and badly treated over the years and many have been unable to restock commonages with sheep. It is important that they be given an opportunity to at least participate in GLAS and not be barred...

Seanad: Forestry Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Seanad: Forestry Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: It is indeed in my nature to be brief and I will be. I again welcome the Minister of State to the House. My concern is the same as that of my colleague, Senator Coghlan. Farmers may have committed their land for a long number of years and be refused a felling licence and then be in a position that they were not able to fell whatever timber was there on the land.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I join with my colleagues in welcoming our new colleague, Senator Craughwell, to the House. I welcome his family to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Everybody is talking about the west of Ireland connection. I hope we will all work together to deliver for all of the country with a little bit extra for the west. Coming from County Leitrim, I would like to see that happen. Today is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: The issue of farm safety has been discussed here this morning by a number of my colleagues and I agree with them wholeheartedly. Some 24 lives have been lost so far this year on farms and that is far too many. I look forward to a discussion in this House on the issue of safety so we can do everything possible to ensure there are no more tragedies affecting farming families. I commend the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: That is not true.

Seanad: Forestry Bill 2013: Second Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Forestry Bill 2013: Second Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: The purpose of the Forestry Bill 2013 is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry. It will support the development of a modern forestry sector to operate in accordance with good forestry practice and with a view to protecting the environment. The forestry industry is of great importance as it affects so many different sectors of the economy. National forest cover...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I support my colleague, Senator Barrett in welcoming the appointment of the new US ambassador, and we look forward to his playing his role in the continued good work being done on the peace process in Northern Ireland. We would all seek to work with him to make progress on the undocumented Irish in America and we will do what we can there. I also back the issue of the nurses' registration...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Sep 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the appointment of the new Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan. This is very important for Ireland. The new Commissioner will be able to deliver for farmers in the future. I call on everybody to put on the green jersey and support the new Commissioner because it is important to do so. I also welcome the farm safety initiative launched by the Minister...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Taxation Review: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I thank the witnesses for their submissions to the committee. A crucial stage has been reached and it is important to do everything possible to increase farm incomes. In particular, the beef and sheep sectors are going through a very difficult time at the minute. Beef has been very difficult over the past number of months and the sector will experience a significant drop in income. The...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Motor Tax Collection (16 Jul 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I accept the rules introduced made a big difference to the Exchequer - with €55 million to accrue to it. However, as I outlined, I feel it would be good for businesses and people involved in road haulage if a tax credit was introduced. I do not believe it would open up a loophole that would help them evade tax. The money would have been paid and there would be no question of it...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Motor Tax Collection (16 Jul 2014)

Michael Comiskey: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. We look forward to working with him in the coming years. The matter of a tax credit for road hauliers has been brought to my attention by hauliers and others. Those with heavy trucks and other vehicles have to pay a substantial road tax. Last year a law was introduced stipulating that any vehicle off the road must be...