Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: For once I find myself in agreement with Senator Dooley. Senator McDowell's Dublin bias is clear on this issue, which brings to mind some comments he recently made about decentralisation.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: His fingerprints are all over this amendment. It would be foolish to tie ourselves down; we should leave it to the boards to decide. We should not say Aer Rianta International or the Great Southern Hotels Group should automatically go to the Dublin Airport authority. It makes sense for people to have options. Aer Rianta International should remain in Shannon as it is based there and would be...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 14: In page 9, subsection (6), line 19, to delete "or in anticipation of". This amendment proposes to remove any vagueness about the Minister's power to give direction to Aer Rianta, or another company, about any matter relating to the restructuring. I seek the removal of the phrase "or in anticipation of" because I am concerned that the provision could be abused by...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 17: In page 9, before section 8, to insert the following new section: 9.—Within 6 weeks of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall do one or both of the following— (i) lay a Report before both Houses of the Oireachtas, or (ii) appear before an Oireachtas Committee to confirm whether the provisions of this Bill will effect events of default regarding Aer Rianta's...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I support the amendment. It might be better to speak in terms of a blueprint or terms of reference for drawing up a plan rather than in terms of a business plan. When this Government took office it drew up a five-year plan. While the Minister made some valid points last night about our not getting too bogged down about business plans, the boards must have some idea of where they are going....

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: The difficulty which the Opposition has is that it is working in the dark. There have been reports of leaks and references to the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, yet we have not seen it in full. The Minister has not released to us any available documentation. The question I would pose — I am sure it is a question which would keep Senator Dooley awake at night — concerns what happens if...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: If, for example, the individual airport boards have an area of conflict, which is quite possible, will the final arbiter be the Government or the Minister? Who will adjudicate in this instance?

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I join other speakers in thanking everyone for their assistance in the past year and wish everyone success in the summer period, particularly in regard to all the renovations taking place in the Houses which I hope will be to the benefit of everyone working here. I was startled to read a newspaper report yesterday which proves that more people are using cars to get to work and to travel. Some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: We cannot continue to build roads. Lately, an extra lane was added to the Naas dual carriageway and there is no doubt that in a few years another lane will be needed. One wonders where we can go in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: We need to debate that issue. We need a metro and new rail systems. It is worth noting that 100 years ago we had nearly 3,000 miles of railway line; we now have only 1,000. Perhaps we should go back in history to learn lessons.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: At the expense of a second terminal.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: Mr. Cook resigned over the Iraq war. It is not good enough to go on national radio telling the public she is against the Bill and afterwards vote for it. I urge Members on the opposite side who have severe difficulties with the Bill to, at least, abstain when it comes to the vote, because otherwise they will have no credibility and they will do politics a disservice. Talk is cheap but we will...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: The penalty points system started off well also.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: He is no longer a sycophant.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: Fianna Fáil is not so united on the matter.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: Ar dtús ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. The words "rushed, premature, not good legislation" are not mine.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: They are the words of the Minister's predecessor sitting opposite on the Bill before us today. I look forward to hearing her explanation for describing the Bill in that manner. One wonders if Senator O'Rourke is the real Opposition spokesperson on transport. Perhaps I have lost my role in that regard.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Cabinet had decided that the business plans would be unfolded in April 2005 and that was to be the end of the process. However, we are now discussing the legislation before us today without such business plans being in place. That appears to be a backward approach. It is as the Minister said like putting the cart before the horse. The legislation was rushed through the Dáil and is now...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I seek a debate in the autumn term on the failure of the penalty points system to reduce road deaths. It is appalling that, so far this year, 191 people have lost their lives on the roads. One can only imagine the heartache this has caused their bereaved families. Clear patterns are emerging as to when car crashes are most likely to occur. As legislators, we should have a role in preventing...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: Yesterday's newspapers featured an item on a reduction in alcohol sales. While that appears to be good news, I ask the Leader to invite the relevant Minister to the House for a debate on domestic violence in the autumn. I am concerned we may have an increase in domestic violence as a result of the smoking ban which has led to more people drinking at home. It has been brought to my attention...