Results 121-140 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: On a point of order, my request was that the Leader should request the Government to enter into discussions with the McCabe family and Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan before any decision is reached on the peace process and to take their views into consideration.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: Could we have a discussion in the near future on escalating electricity charges? I welcome the announcement of grants for alternative energy by the Minister with responsibility for energy. However, I would be concerned if consumers had to pay for those grants down the line. There is concern that while companies benefit from grants, consumers pay for the changes in increased charges.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: The poet, Gerald Griffin, best describes my home village of Adare in the following lines: Oh Sweet Adare! Oh lovely vale! Oh, soft retreat of sylvan splendour, Nor summer sun, nor morning gale E'er hailed a scene more softly tender. This was also the scene of an act which shocked the nation where Detective Jerry McCabe was shot to death and Detective Ben O'Sullivan was wounded on Friday, 7...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the proposals of the Department of Education and Science regarding the proposed development at Cahergal national school, Tuam, County Galway. The board of management of Cahergal national school, Tuam, applied to the Department of Education and Science for the provision of four new classrooms to replace existing...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity to outline to this House the proposals of his Department regarding the proposed refurbishment and extension project at Scoil Mhuire national school, Dristernan, Gleneely, Inishowen, County Donegal. The school authorities applied to the Department for the provision of an...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Michael Brennan: The Senator's amendment refers to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS. MABS was established in 1992 with just five local projects. It now comprises 52 companies, employing 229 members of staff, and the service is now "almost nationwide", as a great phrase goes. The latest information available from the 52 companies of MABS shows that 12,000 people were availing of the service, which...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Michael Brennan: I am grateful for the opportunity to support the motion. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, on his address to the House today. The constitutional parties in this House have gone the extra mile in trying to implement the Good Friday Agreement. There have been many references to recent events by which we have been fooled but those events have reinforced the reality of what we...

Seanad: Orthodontic Service. (2 Feb 2005)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan to the House. The purpose of this Adjournment matter is to request the Minister for Health and Children to look favourably on a request for the establishment of a regional consultant post in restorative dentistry in the Limerick-mid-western region. On a part-time basis this service has been provided at the Mid-Western Health Board...

Seanad: Orthodontic Service. (2 Feb 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister for his reply. In the interests of having regional facilities available, which is the aim of the Minister, I ask the Minister of State to convey the request to her.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael Brennan: I am concerned at the escalating costs of waste water treatment schemes. Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House to discuss deregulation of the cap on grants for small group water schemes, which at present is capped at 85%? Members of small schemes experience great hardship in funding their schemes, especially where old age...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael Brennan: A great deal has been said in this House about the draft guidelines for one-off rural housing. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to introduce regulations for one-off rural housing. Many development plans have been adopted throughout the country. It was expected that the Minister would introduce guidelines for those producing such plans....

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael Brennan: Would the Senator clarify the basis on which he makes that statement?

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister to the House and wish him well in seeking to fulfil his responsibility to find solutions to waste management issues. The Government has achieved a great deal since the 1998 policy statement, Waste Management: Changing Our Ways, all of it with all-party support and co-operation. Elected members reached consensus on every aspect of the waste management plans adopted by...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Michael Brennan: Some 24 stretches of road have been branded dangerous by a European report published yesterday. The National Roads Authority is not making people aware of the designation of those roads. There are no accident blackspot warning signs or special speed restrictions on them and I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government into the House to outline the...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (10 Mar 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Finucane for sharing time with me. I support the case he has made and acknowledge the vast amount of Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government funding to Limerick County Council for its 2000-06 water and sewerage schemes programme. The N69 from Foynes to Limerick city could be served by the proposed scheme. As Senator Finucane said, up to €5 million has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: We like the Senator talking about us.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: I, too, am grateful to the Minister, Deputy Roche, for issuing the guidelines on one-off housing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: The Leader should invite the Minister to come to the House next week to discuss this matter. I congratulate him on taking 12 months to receive and consider submissions. Each local authority has produced its development plan but problems still arise in rural areas. In cities one can build 15 houses to an acre but a person on a 40-acre farm finds it impossible to build a house for a member of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the submission by Shannon Development and tourism interests in the mid-western region in accepting the many challenges the Open Skies policy presents for Shannon Airport. It is calling for protection measures for the first five years to promote the area as a tourism centre. That is very important. I welcome Shannon Development's acceptance of the challenges to be faced and I ask the...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: I support the motion and welcome the Government's commitment to act to address the serious issues of safety and the rates of death and injury on our roads. Traffic levels have never been higher, with 1.9 million vehicles on Irish roads. I acknowledge the safety measures programme of the National Roads Authority which has contributed greatly by improving dangerous sections of road. I also...