Results 921-940 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I will return to this issue. I have it in my notes.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps we will have time to discuss it later. I will provide it to Senator Finucane when he is making his contribution.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: In the Dáil, the Minister stated that the issue was dealt with in detail at the meeting of 16 December 2003. The Travers report states that the issue was dealt with rapidly. This is a clear contrast and the Tánaiste should clarify that point.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: A point that seems to be lost on the current Tánaiste and other Ministers is that when one succeeds somebody in a Department, one is responsible for the other Minister's actions.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: For example, if the Department of Health and Children is being sued the case still proceeds if the Minister changes. That element appears to have been forgotten by this Government. There is a certain amount of responsibility. The contrast in the handling of the issue by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children with the mishandling of the issue by her predecessor, is very stark. When...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Speaking in the Dáil on 26 November 1996, Deputy Martin stated: From the findings of the Cromien inquiry, it is clear that no-one is taking responsibility for the sordid nature of this debacle. It seems that civil servants must take the fall for political failure and negligence on the part of the Minister, the Attorney General and others. That is happening again in this case.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I was amused by the Tánaiste's assertion in the House on 23 February 2005 that the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, would not be found guilty. The Tanáiste and, I think, Senator Minihan, were reacting to a comment I made about the possible findings of the Travers report. I asked the Tánaiste how she could be so emphatic in advance of the report's publication. I...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I am asking questions——

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I resent that remark about inaccuracies. The point I made has been written about in the newspapers and has been proven. I will produce the exact section where it is stated.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Government would not listen to us before Christmas when we told it that the Bill was unconstitutional. The Bill went to the Supreme Court and the Government still did not learn any lessons. Now, we are back again——

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Mr. Kelly, the former Secretary General of the Department, says he gave a folder to the Minister. Another civil servant——

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Minister had a folder on his desk, according to a draft letter, that was meant to be sent to the Attorney General but was never sent — in the words of the Tánaiste "was never issued".

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: They are very tetchy today. The folder may have been in an outer office but was in the Minister's remit. The question I asked of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children is fair. Two weeks ago, she predicted what would be in the report. It is fair to ask how she was able to do so. I asked that question yesterday and the Tanáiste reacted very calmly and answered the question, unlike...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: She did have to listen to me.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: There are many issues in this that are very pertinent to the public. The former Minister, Deputy Martin, has claimed he was never given a briefing note by the Department, that would allow him to appreciate the significance of the charge issue. However, on page 44 of the report, this assertion appears to be undermined in paragraph 4.41. Prior to the MAC meeting on 16 December 2003, all...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The public needs to have full confidence in the Department. This matter should go further; there should be resignations at political level.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: That is a patronising comment. The Senator should outline his views on the report.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: That is the exception to the rule.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: They are the minority.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: There is no need to be disparaging to the vast majority of people who genuinely look after elderly people.