Results 121-140 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

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: 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: 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: 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: 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...

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. (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: 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: 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. (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: 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. (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: 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: 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: 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...