Results 161-180 of 265 for speaker:Michael Brennan

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: 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. (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: 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: 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: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for his timely statement in Limerick on Monday night. He left nobody in any doubt of where he and the Government stand with regard to Sinn Féin and the IRA. I come from Adare and what happened there in June 1996 was a brutal murder. Every time we walk through the village we are reminded of it. I am delighted the Minister has said the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 May 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. An Agreed Programme for Government contains an agreement to introduce electronic voting. I compliment the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which published its report on this matter last week. It has served the electorate well. It is important to have a tried and trusted voting system. If more time is needed to get it right and to...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Brennan: He is not here to be insulted.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Michael Brennan: I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. We in County Limerick appreciate his efforts under the CLÁR programme and the proud tradition of public service by the de Valera family since the foundation of the State. The Minister gave a detailed account of the €22 million spent over the last two years. Projects selected by local authorities for their...

Seanad: Agency for the Irish Abroad: Motion. (24 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I would like to be associated with the words of Senators from both sides of the House. Goodwill and a Christian approach have been evident from all speakers. Although there may be a division on the motion and the amendment before the House, everyone who has spoken has recognised the role played by Irish emigrants in the development of this country in the 1960s. A great deal has been said...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Rubbish.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It depends on what they will get——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I congratulate the Minister and the Government on recognising the strong and continuing tradition of people living in rural areas. Those who are born in an area can live there and people who contribute to the local community will be entitled to build their family home in the area. The guidelines bring clarity to applicants and planners and are clear, consistent and readily understood. The...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It is very important that the Government recognises the need to protect the environment. I also pay tribute to councillors throughout the country who have attended general council meetings, and I am sure that Senator Bannon's LAMA meetings have the same people in attendance and the same representation from political parties which have endorsed, to a man and woman, the protection and the right...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: It is good that the Senator favours something. Only this morning he had a motion down on the Order of Business condemning the move. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, is bringing forward guidelines for rural housing.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I give the Senator the opportunity to withdraw his comment.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Planning authorities should now adopt a more positive and proactive approach to dealing with rural housing, working together with the applicants as facilitators in bringing together all interested parties to create a shared view on how the question of rural housing is to be addressed. We should protect the environment — waste water has been mentioned — and monitor and maintain water...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: On the environmental issue, the number of houses per square kilometre is 19.4 in rural Ireland, one of the lowest figures in Europe, since it is 100 in foreign parts. It is very important that Fianna Fáil recognises the development of rural Ireland and allows it to continue to grow.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: Yesterday the first national playground policy document was launched by the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Brian Lenihan. The surveys were carried out by the national children's committee, which highlighted the lack of play facilities throughout the country, only 168 playgrounds having been provided by local authorities. As eight Departments are involved...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

Michael Brennan: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for introducing the Bill. I welcome his announcement that he will look at the CO2 emissions from vehicles and of the future review of the system. That is also to be welcomed.