Results 81-100 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Brennan: I support Senator Brady. The dual mandate has been discussed fully in the House. We must respect the decisions of the courts. I pay tribute to the Deputy who took the case to court in the interest of the common good. The current system benefits all parties. It gives a choice to the parties that are finding it hard to obtain European candidates.

Seanad: School Transport. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I call on the Minister for Education and Science to clarify the access to school transport arrangements currently in place for students from Limerick city catchment area, Mungret and Ballybrown, who wish to attend the Salesian college in Pallaskenry, County Limerick and I ask that the status quo be maintained. Much confusion has arisen in...

Seanad: School Transport. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State for his encouraging response.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I wish to share my time with Senators Brady and Mansergh.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State and his address to the House which covered the vast amount of funding under the roadworks schemes. In regard to the proposed increases in motor taxation, it must be acknowledged that the funding has been ring fenced for non-national roads, which is very important. Some €277 million has been allocated for that purpose this year. We must also realise the...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for introducing the Bill. I welcome his announcement that he will look at the CO2 emissions from vehicles and of the future review of the system. That is also to be welcomed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Yesterday the first national playground policy document was launched by the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Brian Lenihan. The surveys were carried out by the national children's committee, which highlighted the lack of play facilities throughout the country, only 168 playgrounds having been provided by local authorities. As eight Departments are involved...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Rubbish.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I congratulate the Minister and the Government on recognising the strong and continuing tradition of people living in rural areas. Those who are born in an area can live there and people who contribute to the local community will be entitled to build their family home in the area. The guidelines bring clarity to applicants and planners and are clear, consistent and readily understood. The...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It is very important that the Government recognises the need to protect the environment. I also pay tribute to councillors throughout the country who have attended general council meetings, and I am sure that Senator Bannon's LAMA meetings have the same people in attendance and the same representation from political parties which have endorsed, to a man and woman, the protection and the right...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It is good that the Senator favours something. Only this morning he had a motion down on the Order of Business condemning the move. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, is bringing forward guidelines for rural housing.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I give the Senator the opportunity to withdraw his comment.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Planning authorities should now adopt a more positive and proactive approach to dealing with rural housing, working together with the applicants as facilitators in bringing together all interested parties to create a shared view on how the question of rural housing is to be addressed. We should protect the environment — waste water has been mentioned — and monitor and maintain water...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: On the environmental issue, the number of houses per square kilometre is 19.4 in rural Ireland, one of the lowest figures in Europe, since it is 100 in foreign parts. It is very important that Fianna Fáil recognises the development of rural Ireland and allows it to continue to grow.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It depends on what they will get——

Seanad: Agency for the Irish Abroad: Motion. (24 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I would like to be associated with the words of Senators from both sides of the House. Goodwill and a Christian approach have been evident from all speakers. Although there may be a division on the motion and the amendment before the House, everyone who has spoken has recognised the role played by Irish emigrants in the development of this country in the 1960s. A great deal has been said...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Brennan: He is not here to be insulted.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. We in County Limerick appreciate his efforts under the CLÁR programme and the proud tradition of public service by the de Valera family since the foundation of the State. The Minister gave a detailed account of the €22 million spent over the last two years. Projects selected by local authorities for their...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 May 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. An Agreed Programme for Government contains an agreement to introduce electronic voting. I compliment the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which published its report on this matter last week. It has served the electorate well. It is important to have a tried and trusted voting system. If more time is needed to get it right and to...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for his timely statement in Limerick on Monday night. He left nobody in any doubt of where he and the Government stand with regard to Sinn Féin and the IRA. I come from Adare and what happened there in June 1996 was a brutal murder. Every time we walk through the village we are reminded of it. I am delighted the Minister has said the...