Results 461-480 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator is respected.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business. In light of the dramatic events unfolding in the financial world, we should engage in a question and answer session with the Minister who will be present in the House to take the debate on the economy. Many Members will want to pose questions in respect of current events and I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to ensure the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: He stated that he could not agree to it.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate. We are, however, having it in somewhat unreal circumstances in so far as the Minister of State had to come in and give a presentation that did not address what is happening today and was unable to address the decision that has been taken by Government or go into detail on the reasons for it because the legislation is being published this...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Bruton has been putting forward alternatives for several years. He has addressed repeatedly the issues of reform of the public sector and evaluation of public private partnership projects. He has spoken about the need to save money by limiting quangos. We have proposed a reduction in the rate of VAT from 13.5% to 12.5% to stimulate the building and tourism sectors. We have...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. There are three people waiting to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yesterday, legislation was introduced for the biggest economic policy decision taken in this State. As Senators will have seen, this was done in a chaotic manner as the introduction of the Bill was repeatedly subject to delay. While the Fine Gael Party supports the legislation, it is cautious about many of its aspects. I am concerned by the tone of some of the debate on this issue. For...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: ——of the spending of the money of this economy during what has been called the Celtic tiger. It is essential that we see better management in the weeks and months to come, especially in the banking sector.

Seanad: Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend Senator Quinn of the Independent Senators for placing the Bill before the House and for using his Private Members' time to discuss such a vital issue of life and death as the area of organ donation and transplantation. We need more debate on this area as it can be a frightening area for...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government's timetable on this legislation has been chaotic from the start and this is another example of it. It is very clear the Bill will not be finished in the Dáil by 10 p.m. so I do not know why this House is being recalled at that time. What is the reason for the rush? This looks quite chaotic and that sends a much worse message than the Government saying it wants the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I suggest to Senator Feeney that we not be disingenuous about this. We are quite happy to work throughout the night, if that is what is necessary.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What we are saying is we do not want an unrealistic timetable being put to us now that asks us to come in at 10 p.m., when we know the Bill will continue to be debated in the Dáil until midnight or 1 a.m. The point is that this is what has happened during the course of the past two days with regard to the legislation. I suggest that we adjourn the sitting until 7.30 p.m. for the leaders of...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What about my suggestion?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept the proposal in the interest of this issue and in light of its importance nationally. I would like the Leader to communicate with the leaders of the groups in the meantime. I hope we can arrange a more realistic timetable at that point so that this farce will not continue.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Dáil has agreed to sit late in order to conclude the legislation this evening and that it is considered important that this legislation be passed tonight, and as a result the Seanad will sit late to discuss its detail and pass the legislation. I support what the Leader is saying.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take it there will be a break between the Second Stage and Committee Stage in order to allow time to submit amendments.