Results 18,601-18,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: How does the Leader intend to respect the motion passed in the House and the Independent Senators who initiated it? When will the Minister respond? The Government amendment to the motion was defeated. Will the Leader inform the House about the intention of the Minister?

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was amazed to learn from the Minister of State's contribution to the debate that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, had not yet gone to the Cabinet with the findings of the deliberations of the all-party group on Seanad reform, as he was meant to so do almost one year ago. My understanding was that he intended to come to this House before...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I join the Leader in extending our sympathy and condolences to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, and his wife on the devastating loss of their young daughter. I know the Cathaoirleach attended the funeral yesterday and no words of ours could offer comfort or capture the grief the family must be feeling. They are in our thoughts at this very difficult time for them. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: If cutbacks to education, especially early education, have a devastating impact, not only on individuals but on the economy, and if we are talking about a smart economy and ensuring people will be able to take up opportunities when they arise, we need to be very careful about the kind of decisions that are made in the lead-up to and in the budget. I move an amendment to the Order of Business...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I again note that the schedule for this week does not feature legislation. Will legislation be available to the House before the Christmas break? Does the Government intend to introduce any? The cost of borrowing for Ireland continues to increase and has reached record highs again today. As the Deputy Leader is aware, there is a sense of great uncertainty internationally as far as Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It has been repeatedly pointed out in this Chamber that the Seanad must discuss the difficult decisions that will be made. In that regard and in the light of recent publicity concerning third level registration fees, has the Government taken a decision on the matter? Will the Deputy Leader inform the House what is the Green Party's position on the issue of registration fees? The issue of a...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The ESRI report throws down a challenge to Members and throws into sharp relief the importance of the decision taken by the party leaders yesterday. I found the report from the ESRI and the presentation of it today to be contradictory and somewhat confusing. I believe the challenge for all Members and for the party leaders is to spell out clearly to people the reason it is so important to...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The chairman of the board.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The headlines in the various newspapers today say it all: the Irish Independent "Budget 2011: Double the pain"; and The Irish Times, "€5 billion in spending cuts and tax increases could be on agenda". My question for the Government is why has it taken so long for these figures to emerge. Why has the public not been told the truth because these figures did not just emerge when the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: This will come, it would appear from what she stated, mostly from front-line services. Front-line services means, in effect, everything from home help to services in the community and services for neonatals. I met a couple at the weekend who had a very young vulnerable sick child and who told me the suctioning material and equipment they need was being rationed by hospitals at present....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader is referring to the banks.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State. The debate is overdue because there has been much concern about the implementation of the Croke Park agreement. There has not been much discussion about how the current budgetary, financial and fiscal situation will have an impact on what was agreed. The Minister of State referred to the budget, saying it will have an impact on what was agreed in the Croke...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: They are all in now but there was a delay. We have many questions on what has happened since the Croke Park deal was agreed. Fine Gael is committed to public sector reform. We believe serious budgetary savings can be made in order that citizens will get a better deal. Public sector workers will be happier and will have more job satisfaction if we get some of the changes that are...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Many Members will have attended the briefing this morning, at which the Carers Association spoke about the value of the contribution its members make to the economy, namely, €2.5 billion, as listed county by county. This makes me think about the very difficult decisions that will have to be taken in the coming weeks on the budget and the public finances and, in that context, how we will...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to make a number of points about the taking of business in the House. I note once again that no legislation has been included in the Order Paper. I ask the Leader to explain what is happening and why there is no Government legislation available for the House to deal with in its work. A series of statements have been scheduled to be taken this week. Will the Leader clarify the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Leader of the House explain why the House did not sit yesterday?

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why is no legislation scheduled for the week?