Results 661-680 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: As we debate this Bill, it is fair to state that each Member of this House is now better informed on the issue of stem cell research and the use of adult and embryonic stem cells than we were some time ago. This is so because the debate has been brought to the floor of the House by Senator Mullen, which is welcome. Many countries conduct much research in this area. Until recently, however,...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last Friday the Government launched a new report on public sector reform, which I read. It is almost as if this Fianna Fáil-led Government woke up after ten years and found itself in office, because there is a whole range of recommendations in the report which should have been in place before now. Why have these recommendations not been in place for the past ten years? This question...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senator Daly should ask the Minister for Health and Children.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator will have to ask the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senators opposite cannot have it both ways.

Seanad: Community Development (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to raise the issue of the funding available for sports facilities at Collinstown, Clondalkin and Palmerstown. There are four other community facilities affected by the developments of recent weeks and months. I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, to the House. Will he outline how these facilities and...

Seanad: Community Development (2 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: When does the Minister expect agreement to be reached on the funding arrangement with the three groups involved? If current staff do not meet the criteria which must be met under the community services programme, are there any transitional arrangements that could be put in place to ensure continuity of staff in the facilities?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last night the Minister approved the establishment of a new board, with a very long title. It is called the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. The Government has announced yet another board when we are talking about cutting back on boards. The board comprises a very eminent group of people and is being referred to as "an bord snip nua". Why do we need a...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is the role of the Department of Finance and the Cabinet? Why do we not have a group of Ministers making these decisions which will impact so strongly on citizens? We are talking about cutbacks to deal with the Exchequer returns, which we yesterday saw are €3 billion behind target. Why do we not have a group of Ministers coming to this House to tell us the plan? Where is the macro...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We had a budget in this House just a few weeks ago. Is the budget not the place to answer the question this group has been asked to answer, namely, where savings can be made as soon as possible. On Friday a public sector reform document was lodged with great fanfare. It took several months, much consultation and 12 members. I am amazed we are outsourcing to a group, however eminent, this...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is the budget for?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, there is no problem about a pair when the Minister is doing——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, if Ministers follow the correct procedures in requesting a pair, there is absolutely no problem with them having a pair for Seanad business.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: If he requests a pair, there will be no problem. If the proper procedures are followed, there is no problem having a pair, but he must request it.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is a historic victory for the Opposition.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I hope the Government accepts this result.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I hope the Government will accept this result and not try to change it given the historic nature of this victory.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Surely Senator Wilson is not trying to overturn it.