Results 441-460 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Are we taking the business as ordered on our return?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are taking the Order of Business now followed by informal tributes and a sos?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am unclear as to whether we are having tributes now or later.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thought we were doing the tributes first.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is suggesting that we conclude our deliberations on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill by taking all of Second Stage today and Committee Stage tomorrow. This is an inappropriate way to deal with legislation. Members cannot be expected to put down amendments overnight. It is not conducive to good legislation and it is not in the spirit of reform as put forward in the programme for...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Every one of us in the House knows that cutbacks in health and education are being implemented as we speak. What is this talk of health and education not being affected? It is disingenuous, to say the least, and it is not accurate. We should have truth. The first thing we must do in dealing with economic situations such as this is to face the reality and not to be in denial. We need to...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, they are on the same day.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to make the point that the Leader has not responded to the substance of the points raised. There should be a gap between the consideration of legislation in the House on Second Stage and Committee Stage to allow time for consultation and I oppose the Order of Business on that basis.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was with great sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Deputy Séamus Brennan, a former Minister who represented Dublin South. Our thoughts today are primarily with his wife, Ann, and six children, who face such a terrible loss. Séamus battled his illness with great bravery and courage, doing his utmost to continue his public duties right up to the end. It is sad that this...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We could have done with more time for this debate on the economy. To take up Senator Feargal Quinn's point, confidence is important but it comes from clear leadership and from facing up to the problems. Yesterday, there was no breakdown of where the €440 million in savings in 2008 would come or breakdown of where the €1 billion in savings in 2009 would come. There was no detail on what...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fine Gael opposes the Order of Business on the grounds that the Intoxicating Liquor Bill is being rushed through the Oireachtas, which does not make for good legislation. I propose an amendment that Committee and Report Stages not be taken together today. We should adhere to the principle of having time in between the different Stages of legislation to allow for adequate examination,...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I object strongly to Committee and Report Stages being taken together today. The programme for Government has a section on Oireachtas reform, but where is the reform if we take these Stages together today? The Green Party said Oireachtas reform was a key principle for the party. Where is the reform when we handle legislation the way we are handling this Bill? I, therefore, propose an...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is clear that the situation is out of control and the vagueness of their response was embarrassing to watch. Reforms of spending and project evaluation should have been introduced in previous months and years. The manner in which Ministers outlined their extraordinary list of cuts was unacceptable. The implication given at the public press conference was that spending on education and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is rising unemployment.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have read it. It is not detailed.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We do not need lectures. We have read the information provided and there is no detail.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is the point we were making.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senator Regan wants to deal with this.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I did not say that. I just said there was no——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I said the Minister's performance was lacklustre and unconvincing regarding the approach to the cutbacks.