Results 141-160 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

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

Michael Brennan: A recent report on road safety has identified 20 sections of national roads which are in need of attention. It is important that these roads receive urgent attention from the Department and the National Roads Authority. I call for a road safety programme to be introduced to the curriculum at leaving certificate level. It would be of significant benefit if driving tests could be introduced at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: I too ask the Leader for a debate on car insurance. Any individual who goes to the trouble of making a few telephone calls can secure a reduction of up to €200 for an experienced driver. I compliment the Tánaiste on her work in that capacity. If one visits the websites, one will find the necessary information to get a better quote.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

Michael Brennan: The rural housing guidelines are welcome, necessary and timely. In producing these far-reaching guidelines, the Minister has set out in detail how this Government's policies on rural housing will be implemented. It is important that people who were born and reared in a particular area should be able to continue to live there. People who contribute to the fabric of a community in a village,...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: I accept the Senator's point but I wish to correct any impression I may have conveyed earlier on this matter. I have asked the Pensions Board to examine the issue of mandatory provisions in the pension system but there are a number of aspects to that. One could not make something mandatory regarding a private pension if one did not have some security of funds concerning the industry's...

Seanad: Constitution for Europe: Statements. (18 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: I propose to share my time with Senator Kitt.

Seanad: Constitution for Europe: Statements. (18 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the MEPs and thank them for their attendance at this crucial debate. Ireland has played a role at the heart of Europe's affairs for more than 50 years and the EU has benefitted from that role. We should not tamper lightly with this relationship and must ensure there is informed and debated decision making. I welcome the contributions of other Members and guests which expand on...

Seanad: Nuclear Plants: Motion. (25 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: This is a suitable, strong and timely motion and I add my support to the points made and words of genuine concern expressed in the House tonight. This motion is timely for one particular reason, on which I will use my few minutes to expand. On 11 May, the RPII made a presentation to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government. The RPII deserves credit for its presentation and...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: I wish to share my time with Senator Finucane.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2005)

Michael Brennan: I have come into this House in the past to express gratitude to the Government and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the amount of money invested in the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06. Kilmallock, County Limerick, is a typical town. It is the major town in south Limerick, has a development plan in place and its existing services are at capacity....

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Kate Walsh for sharing her time. I am pleased to make a contribution to this debate. I welcome the excellent and thought-provoking contributions made in the House thus far. In introducing the Bill to the House last night, the Minister of State said it would significantly advance the position of people with disabilities and would be instrumental in sustaining progress in the...

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Brennan: I support Senator Finucane and ask the Minister to look compassionately at this unique situation, going back to 2001 where there were pupil-teacher ratio problems in the Limerick city catchment area resulting in pupils being allowed to go to Pallaskenry. As Senator Finucane has said, many meetings were held during the summer and it is time to find a solution. I believe that since the meetings...

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Brennan: I wish to enter in the record a letter that was sent out by the Department in 2001. A commitment was given at that stage that no changes would take place until discussions occurred with interested bodies.

Seanad: School Transport. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Brennan: If bus transport is being provided out of Pallaskenry in the evening where surplus transport is available, it would not be an additional cost to the Exchequer. I ask the Minister of State that if a commitment was made that no changes would come about until a review of the catchment boundaries, whether the commitment made by the Department has been reneged upon.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, for the opportunity to contribute briefly to this debate. I thank the Taoiseach, the Minister of State and the leaders of all political parties who have played a leading role in the decommissioning that has occurred. I come from Adare, a rural part of County Limerick, where all religions and none work together for the betterment of our community and country....

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister to the House. In October 2004 I welcomed the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006 involving a total investment of €5 billion, with the allocation to Limerick being €142 million. On that occasion the Minister painted a very positive picture in so far as the sewerage schemes were concerned for Adare and Patrickswell. He confirmed at that time that the...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister for his positive response. I look forward to working in co-operation with Limerick County Council to secure a solution.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Michael Brennan: I wish to voice my support for the motion. Previous speakers have spoken about the importance of our taxation system to sustaining our economic development. Reference was also made to the fundamental importance of a fair system. Rather than repeat what others have said, I wish to discuss fairness, especially for older people. As my colleague, Senator Minihan, correctly stated in the past, a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Brennan: Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to clarify why a number of local authorities are making the establishment of management committees to administer private housing estates a condition of planning permission? This is causing a great deal of concern as householders must pay an annual charge to private management committees. However, they are...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Terry and those on the Opposition side of the House for putting down this motion. Members are correct that it is good to discuss these issues before the budget. That is why I listened carefully, taking detailed notes of those practical suggestions on which I can move. I agree with most of them, quibble with others, but by and large support their direction. I thank both sides...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Michael Brennan: What pulling and dragging we must do between us to provide this is part of political business. As long as I have the honour to hold this ministerial post, I will fight tooth and nail to ensure everyone has a decent pension. It may not be a "one-size-fits-all" answer. We must examine both the non-contributory and contributory pensions. We must also do more in that area, particularly on the...