Results 361-380 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: University College Galway (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: At 2.30 p.m. next Wednesday, 22 February 2006.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I rarely agree with Senator Ulick Burke on educational matters but I concur that bullying is an ongoing issue. However, I was heartened when the Minister recently drew up or expanded a number of initiatives and frontloaded funding to address the issue. The issue is of serious concern for parents and, in particular, for children whose learning environment is seriously disrupted. Many attempts...

Seanad: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second and Subsequent Stages. (23 Feb 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome this short Bill. The Minister explained the necessity for the Bill, which relates to a legal lacuna which could result in a challenge to the constitutionality or legality of the council. This Bill was needed to remove that lacuna which will be done by way of amendments. The Bill is important because it regularises the entire operation...

Seanad: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second and Subsequent Stages. (23 Feb 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State for facilitating the speedy passage of the Bill. I also thank the Opposition. The Bill will have a significant impact on the future development of teaching and the issue of quality and standards within teaching. Therefore, the primary beneficiaries will be the pupils and students of Ireland.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to the House, and thank Senator White for sharing her time with me. I welcome the Finance Bill which builds on the progress made over the past seven or eight budgets and their respective Finance Bills. Much has been said about planning, evaluation, review, a change of economic circumstance and climate, and how we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: Senators O'Toole and Ryan raised issues regarding the attitude and competence of the Department of Education and Science in dealing with customers through Irish. I have a vague recollection of what Senator O'Toole is referring to, the Ballyvourney initiative taken some years ago, of which I have no knowledge other than that. However, I would like it explored in the Seanad Chamber or in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I believe the Seanad would welcome the opportunity to have the Minister for Education and Science in the Chamber to deal with the issue and with the related issue referred to by Senator O'Toole. The matter could also be raised at committee level.

Seanad: Youth Affairs: Statements. (6 Apr 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is a good thesis. The Senator should acknowledge it.

Seanad: Youth Affairs: Statements. (6 Apr 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State and the debate on this issue. In the years during which I have been a Member of the Oireachtas I have had the opportunity to refer to issues such as youth affairs in many contexts in various debates but this is the first opportunity during the lifetime of this Seanad that we have had a debate specifically devoted to youth affairs. It is timely and appropriate...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State. Her work on the safety of school buses is to be commended and encourages us greatly. These measures and others she has outlined in great detail in this debate deserve our full support and the full and immediate support of Government. While I have criticisms of the school transport system, they are not directed at the Minister of State, her Department or her...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is regrettable that this debate is taking place against a background of exceptionally tragic accidents involving school buses. I convey my condolences and sympathy to all the families, extended families and communities that were touched so traumatically by the unfortunate accidents in Meath and Offaly. As with every road accident, those accidents had their root causes in human failings,...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: Cyclists and pedestrians should be made just as amenable as drivers to the rules of the road. The current position is appalling. Cyclists ignore all classes of convention and laws such as one-way streets, footpaths and traffic lights. We will never engage the collaborative goodwill of all unless we stop the targeted victimisation of one sector as a mere revenue collecting ploy. We must bring...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: They got bad because of the endemic neglect that has prevailed over the lifetime of all Governments from the foundation of the service. "If it is not broke, do not fix it" seemed to be the prevailing approach, yet when tragedy strikes we are horrified. We seek to find somebody else to blame. The reality about the school bus issue is the same as the reality about road safety. We have not been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to share in the sense of outrage, horror and deep shock which all Members feel at the potential consequences arising from the recent legal decisions of the Supreme and High Courts. I wholeheartedly support the principle behind the approaches of Senators Maurice Hayes, Jim Walsh and Norris. Members on the other side of the House are making one of the most fundamental...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: ——to address what is being described as a potential licence for predators to rush out and continue the kind of despicable practices——

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I invoke the protection of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Maurice Hayes has rightly described them as predators. However, to depict a story whereby such people——

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: —— armed with a licence arising from these two decisions, would inflict such despicable practices on the children, juveniles and minors of the nation is not only untrue and wrong, it is scaremongering.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: A Leas-Chathaoirligh, may I speak? The House should invoke the wisdom of Senators Maurice Hayes, Norris and my good friend and colleague, Senator Jim Walsh and should hasten slowly. While this should not be a shot in the dark, Members should hasten slowly with a partnership approach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am about to finish. Red herrings from Senator Ryan do a serious injustice to him and the concern he has articulated about the matter. We should proceed immediately but carefully to invoke a partnership approach to address an issue that goes to the very core of society, the value and dignity we place on each individual human being and, in particular, on the protection of our minors. I plead...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (2 Jun 2006)

Liam Fitzgerald: Senator Brian Hayes has made a point about discussing all the amendments but I wish to speak on a section of the Bill to which none of the amendments refers. Can I take it from what the Leader of the House has said that I may do so?