Results 101-120 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State. We should not underestimate what has been achieved in the construction industry in the past ten years. At a time when 69,000 houses were built, the fastest rate in Europe, one sixth of all houses and apartments were build in the past seven years. A decade ago, we were building 20,000 houses. Currently, there is a very modern housing stock, which means much has...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Brennan: I second the motion. I fully support the national policy to bring Departments to the regions. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House and wish him well in his role in this development. It is important we facilitate in every way the public service organisations, the civil servants and their families who are moving to the regions from Dublin. We well understand the problems...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Michael Brennan: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport to give his views on the national review of speed limits? Much has been said in this House about this in the recent past. I am sure all politicians who have been canvassing in recent weeks have experienced the desire at local level that this national review would take the concerns of the electorate in rural areas into account, as regards...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Brennan: I have not got a Luas for the Senator but in time I might have a western rail corridor for him, which would help. I have been supplied with a response by the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Dempsey: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the policy of the Department of Education and Science regarding applications for retrospective funding and in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2004)

Michael Brennan: The National Roads Authority commissioned a report on the future management of road improvement works. I understand the Minister for Transport is currently reviewing this report and I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House in the autumn to bring forward his proposals and consider the concerns expressed by this House regarding the implementation of the programme up to 2006, whereby...

Seanad: Local Authority Housing. (8 Jul 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, for coming in to the House to reply to this Adjournment matter on the application for remedial works to Glenma housing estate, Croom, County Limerick, which is one of the oldest housing estates in County Limerick, having been built in the 1960s. The Minister of State encouraged the local authority to apply for grant assistance to carry out...

Seanad: Local Authority Housing. (8 Jul 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State for dealing with this urgent matter. It would be appreciated if the work could go to tender and be carried out during the summer months.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister and commend him on his address to the House. I have listened to many speakers, all of whom have the best interests of the country at heart. It is important that we retain ownership of our three airports and maintain a role in the further development of our regions. The major challenge to the Government is to put in place a package that will best allow the three airports...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Brennan: I request the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in addressing the House this evening, to re-affirm and clarify the commitment given in a letter sent by the previous Minister, on behalf of the then Government, to Mrs. Anne McCabe that the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe would not qualify for early release. After watching recent television programmes...

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Brennan: I will share my time with Senator Mansergh. I welcome the Minister to the House and wish him well in his new portfolio. I have no doubt he has addressed many of the problems within the planning system. Solutions lie in many areas and the Minister is first to identify them. Local authorities experience many problems in the planning process in respect of staffing levels and applications. The...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I congratulate the Minister, the Taoiseach and the Government on their commitment to implement the programme for Government in respect of the additional 2,000 gardaí. I pay tribute to the Garda Commissioner, members of the Garda and the Office of Public Works for playing a leading role in implementing the plans. The Government is certainly committed to...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (28 Oct 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, to the House. I wish to ask about the current situation on the Patrickswell-Adare sewerage scheme. I acknowledge the immense investment by the Government through the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06. We have seen major developments in Limerick city regarding the main drainage scheme, from...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. I wish him well for the future. I recognise the work of the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, and his Government colleagues in approving sports funding under the national lottery as part of the programme for Government. It is nice to see all sporting codes availing of grants. I would like to...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House and wish him well in his role in the Department of Health and Children. I also wish the Tánaiste every success. I fully support the amendment. Much reference has been made to reports. The Hanly report addresses the key issues of how to provide safe, high quality acute hospital services, 24 hours a day, seven day a week and to...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: ——the east coast and the mid-west — and sets out a series of principles for the future organisation of hospital services nationally.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: Like many Members on the Opposition benches, I would like to see an improved health service. I was a member of a local authority for a number of years and many resolutions for this area were discussed. I also share the concerns of the former secretary of LAMA. LAMA made a number of important submissions to the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, which represent a vital and...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: Níl mé cinnte.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Michael Brennan: Will the Leader convey the congratulations and good wishes of the House to the new members appointed to the Council of State, including Senator Mansergh?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: I support the call for a debate on housing. I welcome the provision of 39,000 houses in the past ten years but recognise the shortfall of 9,000 houses and the problems being faced by local authorities. It is time for the Minister to take the matter on board. We saw how €353 million was paid out in rent supplement in the past year. An assessment of needs is being carried out by local...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: I, too, spoke in this House on 20 October on the Detective Garda McCabe murder in Adare. We all appreciate the concerns and the matter of peace in our country. On that occasion I asked for clarification regarding a letter from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the previous Government to the McCabe family. As chairman of Limerick County Council I stood in Adare when many...