Results 641-660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We all watched the funeral in Limerick yesterday with sadness and great sympathy and the whole country was appalled at the event that led to it. I am very disappointed we do not have the opportunity in this House today to discuss gangland crime. The Dáil is having a debate on it today. I do not understand why not one of 20 Ministers of State is available to come to this House. Many...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a U-turn.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is the impression one gets from the Government side, not this side.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: In recent weeks I have asked again and again in this House where is the Government's plan for this country, our economy and public services. I return to this because there is a crisis of leadership in the country, a lack of confidence in the Government and a need for a coherent plan on all fronts, including crime, the economy and the health services. There is a lack of coherence in what is...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (18 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am honoured to speak today on behalf of the Fine Gael group in Seanad Éireann to pay tribute to the late Séamus Brennan, Minister, Chief Whip, Deputy and Senator. He served for over 40 years in public service and, as the Leader of the House said, often he was at the cutting edge of Irish politics. I extend my sincere sympathy and condolences to Séamus's wife, Ann, his children, who are...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have made the point before that I do not believe the Government protects the vulnerable as it should do. I raised this point in regard to the way the budget cuts especially affected the young and the elderly. I am disturbed that the risk of female genital mutilation is not considered an adequate reason by Irish courts for a family to be allowed to remain in this country. The barbaric...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The bells did ring.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad the Leader heard the bells ringing this morning following the mishap with them yesterday. I hope he will have a good relationship with those bells over the next few weeks. There are varying views on whether the bells were heard all over the House. Some Members heard them while others did not. It was very strange but I understand they are working effectively now.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I call for a debate on the changes to the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission and the abolition of the Combat Poverty Agency, a topic that has been raised by Senators on both sides of the House in recent weeks.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is appropriate, at a time when there is ever more pressure on families, individuals and those who are marginalised in our society, that we have this debate and ask the Minister to explain his thinking behind the changes to these organisations. The IHRC, an internationally recognised body, was established to protect human rights. Yesterday the media reported on the case of the woman who...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator means women.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Today there are some pertinent questions on the minds of people as they heard in recent weeks and at the weekend about the spending of taxpayers' money on excessive and luxury items such as in regard to FÁS. The question that is on people's lips is how many other State agencies are in the same position and what was the Government's role in all of that? We see those items being referred to...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is still not universally available.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last night, the director general of FÁS, Mr. Rody Molloy, fell on his sword, such was the public outrage about the information that had come into the public domain over the weekend and in recent weeks. It was an outrage which was felt very deeply by the public. We all heard people's reaction to the information that became public. It was an outrage that the Taoiseach and, indeed, the Green...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.