Results 781-800 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Is the Minister giving a 100% reassurance on this issue, based on what she said yesterday? Perhaps the Minister of State would like to clarify that.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 10: In page 6, before section 5, to insert the following new section: "5.—Section 8 of the Health Act 2007 is amended— (a) by the insertion of the following paragraph: "(n) To receive and consider applications for a recommendation for the issue of a discretionary medical card and to make recommendations to the Health Service Executive that certain applicants be...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 12: In page 6, after line 48, to insert the following: "(c) The minister shall, on a monthly basis, lay before the Dáil a report on the number of persons who have notified the Health Service Executive that their gross income exceeds the relevant gross income limit in accordance with paragraph (b) above.". I regret that amendment No. 11 has been deemed out of order as it...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The effects of the amendment are obviously far from being administrative as the provision affects people's eligibility and whether they have a medical card and access to services. It is actually an amendment that considers what is happening to individuals and the number who will have their medical card withdrawn as the new system commences.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On section 9, it is unfortunate that the Government has not been willing to accept any amendments. Some of these amendments would have proved to be very useful in the months to come and would have obviated confusion for various groups. I believe it is a very retrograde step that this legislation is coming before the House today. The Government has made five U-turns on the legislation and it...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are a number of issues to be raised. I wish to comment on the banking decisions that have been taken, the call from this side of the House for a debate on the Lisbon treaty following the European Council, which is not on this week's agenda, and events in the Equality Authority. Is it intended to introduce legislation this week on the banking sector? What the public needs from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The amendment is to ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to detail and discuss his proposals on bank capitalisation. Many questions arise to which there are no answers at present. Senators have asked repeatedly for detailed information. We do not want announcements continually made elsewhere. I ask for a debate in the House. I also referred to the European Council. Senators...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tell us about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government negotiated that rental price.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: How much did the Minister spend on consultancy fees?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister to the House. Many people are becoming unemployed and lodging claims for benefits. It is a matter of considerable concern that it takes eight to ten weeks to process many of these claims. Are these delays also due to checks being carried out or can they be explained by pressure on services or a shortage of staff to deal with them? Is it a case of checking out the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yesterday, a number of Senators expressed complete frustration, annoyance and concern at the lack of democratic accountability and debate in the House on the issues facing the country and the reluctance of the Government to engage in consultation while, at the same time, saying it is time for everyone to do their patriotic duty. The House is not being consulted on the issues of the day and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: These departments are full of people on trolleys waiting to be looked after and this is documented every day. All of us who have attended an accident and emergency department over the past few months know the staff are incredibly hard pressed. Who will pay the price? There is no democratic accountability. The HSE is a bloated bureaucracy out of control with huge ongoing expenses but...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has not listened to the Opposition for the past ten years.

Seanad: Foster Care: Motion (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "commends: the excellent work carried out by the Irish Foster Care Association and foster carers throughout the country; condemns: the Government's failure to implement the Children First principles in a comprehensive and uniform manner over a ten-year period in this country; notes: that the...

Seanad: Foster Care: Motion (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, I understood it was the convention in this House that the proposer of a motion would be here for its conclusion and would respond to the debate. Is that not the convention in this House? It did not happen tonight. It is very disappointing that the Government could not provide speakers for this important motion, which they put on the Order Paper.

Seanad: Foster Care: Motion (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order——

Seanad: Schools Patronage (17 Dec 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this evening the need for the Minister for Education and Science to outline his response to a request from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron of second level schools. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Educate Together schools have emerged throughout the country. The first such primary school opened its doors in...