Results 61-80 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I listened with interest to the last remarks of Senator McDowell who has been very prominent in the area of finance. I was disappointed, notwithstanding the important projects he identified across different sectors, that he did not identify where the funding would come from. I can only assume he is proposing borrowing in these circumstances....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Yes. I am an avowed supporter of the current Minister's overall strategy for a low tax regime with minimum borrowing. I say that unapologetically. The past five years of progress in this country are the strongest possible testimony to the success of his philosophy, vision and overall approach as Minister for Finance. The Finance Bill is further evidence of the determination of the Minister to...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Will the Senator name the pubs that are half full?

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join others in commending the Garda Síochána for the tremendous restraint they exercised last night. I spoke to a number of Members who, when trying to exit the front gate, found the protesters extremely intimidating. I cannot speak personally about that matter. It is my view and that of others that there seem to be subversive elements frequenting protests which otherwise would be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join Senators Brian Hayes and Dardis in welcoming the talks in Northern Ireland. I agree that the two issues involved, to which the Senators have referred, should be separated. It is the patriotic duty of the Taoiseach and all democratically elected politicians to embrace warmly every opportunity to advance the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and, I hope, look forward to the restoration...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Yes, I am. A constitutional referendum would be very effective in addressing the need for more housing.

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Rinne mé iarracht inné cúpla focal a chur le chéile le mo smaointe a leíríu don Teach ach ní raibh an t-ádh liom. I will revert to Irishman's English. A fundamental issue is being raised in terms of the current position of the Irish language and how the Minister envisages the evolution of the programme for its ongoing development. It begs the fundamental question that has existed down...

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: We are awaiting further orders.

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 12. (9 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am anxious to clarify certain issues. This is similar to points that have been raised throughout the debate on the Bill and in regard to other amendments. I do not agree with the amendment. This is consistent with what I said earlier. It is all to do with where one is now and where one wants to go. As I see it, the core and spirit of the Bill is partnership – reaching out and embracing...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am forced to rise to request a debate on crime. A number of recent sad and high-profile crimes seem to have catapulted the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform to the fore as the Minister to be bashed at present. I am not here to defend him; he is more than capable of doing so himself. This debate is going completely off the rails. Crime is at a serious level and the statistics are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I would welcome a debate on crime, but we should not lose the run of ourselves by projecting an image of Ireland and Dublin that is totally at variance with reality.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Because crime hit the high street – Grafton Street – of this city, it is now projected as being out of all proportions—

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: —but that is not true and is not in accordance with the facts. I look forward to a debate on crime so that we can have some sense of balance and perspective on it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is nothing to the promises on which the Deputy's party has reneged.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am sympathetic to some of the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes in respect of teaching in disadvantaged areas. I am aware that there is an ongoing turnover of staff in that area and this is, for many reasons, unsatisfactory. Will the Leader provide for a debate on disadvantage in education? Many of the issues to which Senator Brian Hayes referred might be discussed in such a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: With reference to the third level funding debate, which is rightly in the public arena, a concern was expressed about the Minister being hung out to dry. I reassure the Member who raised that concern that our Ministers are quite robust and they have no great difficulty in that regard. I have every confidence that they are able to stand their own corners. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: As a result of the anomalies in the area of third level funding, there is a moral obligation on any Government – where such anomalies are so evident – that the issue be addressed and constantly reviewed. In that regard, the public debate is quite healthy. The concern that has been expressed about parents' worry and anxiety refers to very wealthy parents and only them, which is clear from...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: If clarity is needed, we would welcome such a debate in the interest of allaying unnecessary fears and anxieties—

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: —among certain categories of parents.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Regarding the motion on Private Members' Business, our amendment is a clear statement of our commitment and conviction regarding approaches to third level education generally. We will be glad of the opportunity to contribute to the debate, no matter how much time the Leader gives us. We welcome any opportunity to contribute at whatever length of time the Leader affords us.