Results 241-260 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Apr 2003)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, and thank him for his contribution. The income from motor taxation, which has paid directly into the local government fund since its establishment in 1998, is used for non-national roads and the general purposes of local authorities. In 2002, local authorities' current expenditure on the non-national roads programme was €3.2 billion and, in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2003)

Michael Brennan: I ask the Leader to arrange with the Minister for Finance the serious implications arising from the way houses are being advertised in the Dublin area. Starter homes advertised to sell for €189,000 increase by 8% to €206,000 before they are sold. This is a matter of serious concern, especially for those who are trying to buy their first homes at the lower end of the market.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Scanlon for sharing his time with me. Over the past week the United Nations has not lived up to its responsibilities in addressing the question of Iraqi non-compliance with its resolutions. Many months and years of diplomacy have failed to achieve a peaceful solution to the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. I acknowledge the hurt and suffering of the Iraqi people and the troops...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Michael Brennan: On a point of order, that matter is not relevant to the legislation.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Michael Brennan: On a point of order, membership of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann is open to any member of the public.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Michael Brennan: I too welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this legislation. Reform of local government is something every public representative welcomes. Many attempts have been made by successive Ministers to achieve this. Looking back on the past six Ministers for the Environment, it is true to say that under the two Fianna Fáil Ministers, Deputies Cullen and Noel Dempsey, local government reform...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

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

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his tremendous rural development work since taking charge of his portfolio. He has the good will of rural people and it is in all our interests that he succeeds in what he is trying to do. I compliment the work of the National Rural Development Forum. It is important that the finances are given to the Minster to implement the plans prioritised in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Feb 2003)

Michael Brennan: I request the Leader to raise with the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Fahey, the health and safety concerns of construction workers who marched in Dublin yesterday. It is a matter of concern that only 20 inspectors have been appointed to cover the entire country at a time when the construction industry is working at 100% capacity. The Minister...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Feb 2003)

Michael Brennan: I, too, welcome the Minister. I fully agree with him that it is time for tough decisions and new regulations to be made in regard to pollution prevention, control of the licensing system and the new amendments to the 1997 Act. The Bill also includes measures to strengthen the existing licensing system in terms of implementation and enforcement, especially with regard to pollution prevention...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Colleges of Education. (12 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: I ask the Minister to bring forward proposals and funding for the development plan for Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick. Everybody acknowledges the tremendous contribution the college has made in training primary school teachers over the past 100 years. It has increased its student numbers from 600 in 1992 to 2,300 at present. This has been done at the request of the Department...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: I, too, wish to comment on the collection of levies. Where local authorities have land banks and town and village plans are in place, I urge that the levies collected in particular areas be used to best advantage. Fingal has been mentioned as an ideal location where land has been developed. Where councils have land available, the levy should be used to promote public-private partnerships to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: I wish to be associated with the congratulations to the voluntary housing sector. I have been involved in two housing organisation. Voluntary housing organisations deeply appreciate the State subsidies paid through local authorities which come back to voluntary housing organisation after 20 years. It is great to see the number of houses being provided by the voluntary sector which has met its...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Dooley for sharing time with me. I compliment the Minister for bringing the Bill to the House. Anyone who is a member of a local authority will agree that amendment is necessary because the legislation has not worked as intended. It is important that social and affordable housing schemes should operate and be successful. From a construction point of view it is important to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: That is pluralism.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. I congratulate all concerned on the production of the national spatial strategy and on the extensive consultations which have taken place over the past three years throughout the country with local authorities, voluntary and professional organisations and members of the public. Never in the history of our country have we had so many plans,...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (27 Nov 2002)

Michael Brennan: I thank Senator Henry for tabling this motion which has the unanimous support of the House. Not only that, it is true to say it would have the support of the people as a whole. We are very proud of the work being done regarding foreign aid. A sum of €375 million is sizeable and, taken with the work being carried out by missionaries, voluntary bodies and charitable organisations on behalf of...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Brennan: I wish to share my time with Senator Morrissey. In welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House, I support the amendment. The Government's first priority is to get the country back to a sustainable rate of spending in order to avoid a long-term crisis. To do this, tough measures have had to be taken in different areas. The Government's decision on the first-time buyer's...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (12 Nov 2002)

Michael Brennan: I too would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the Hourigan family. In County Limerick we recognise the contribution of Richard Hourigan to Seanad Éireann. His brother, Paddy, is a member of Limerick County Council and was cathaoirleach on one occasion. I have had the honour of serving with him for the past 18 years. We appreciate the contribution to political life of...

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

Michael Brennan: I welcome Mr. Justice Flood's interim report and pay tribute to the public representatives and officials of local authorities throughout the country who have kept their word and done their work with honour. I hope Senator Finucane's earlier reference to the Adare town plan was not inferring that something underhand has occurred.