Results 481-500 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: The only one.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister. I reassure Senator Dardis that Fine Gael's position on this matter is very clear. We support the principle of decentralisation. However, the Government's handling, or mishandling, of it does not fill us with confidence. The last time the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, spoke on decentralisation in this House, before it was announced, he...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: It was included in the speech, which I remember reading. It said that Carlow was to get 350 jobs and that 250 were wanted at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It was a significant issue, and it was on the front page of The Irish Times a few weeks later. Senator Dardis should be questioning his Government colleagues. It is remarkable that there is currently only one Fianna...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I accept that he has an excellent background, but it is an indication that perhaps Fianna Fáil is not 100% behind this.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Three of our Senators have contributed so far. The Fianna Fáil Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, Deputy Fleming, first agreed to a debate on the decentralisation process, then rowed back and would not allow a debate on progress though, with all due respect, that would have been a logical step for the committee. Now, suddenly, the Government is willing to...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am amazed at Senator Mansergh's comment that public servants do not really have the right to question something. In a democracy, everyone has that right. People have a right to be consulted, and the sudden announcement of the decision, without consulting the main players, was a fundamental mistake. I query whether 10,000 civil servants can be moved. Would it not be more realistic to set an...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: They are certainly very proactive in counties Longford and Carlow.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Both points are factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Senator should speak about his own policy. What is the Fianna Fáil policy?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We are not opposed to it. That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Cleaning up the mess from Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: They were different times.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We did not oppose it tonight. That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We never opposed it.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: What is the Fianna Fáil position on decentralisation?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Is the Senator guaranteeing that 10,000 people will decentralise?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Nobody opposes decentralising the decision-making process.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: What about my good self? Where do I feature?

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I would like to raise the simple matter of the excellent educational facility offered at the Presentation College secondary school at Askea in Carlow town. The excellence of the facilities is not matched by the level of expertise and care given to the students, unfortunately. The school is at stage 5 of the planning process,...