Results 961-980 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their courtesy. Unfortunately, we have a great deal of experience of Health (Amendment) Bills in the House. It is amusing that the Government tabled an early signature motion on the legislation. I hope the President signs it into law, as requested. I also hope we have learned from past mistakes as it is depressing that the people have given...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Would it be in order to wish the Minister of State's brother good luck in the by-election tomorrow? Perhaps we will have the two Powers in the Dáil next Monday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: One of the Government Senators admitted Ireland is one of the richest countries in the EU. However, it has the second highest class size in Europe. I have no doubt that we will hear much hypocrisy next weekend from Government Senators and Deputies as they visit the teacher unions' conferences.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: They will nod their heads, agree with the delegates and yet do nothing afterwards.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Leader should invite the Minister for Education and Science to come before the House following the recess in order that we might engage in a proper debate about class sizes and funding. I agree with Senator White about schools being forced to fund-raise. I recently heard about a school in Mayo which has four teachers and which is expected to raise in excess of €100,000 in order to...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: There is tax on food.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: There is tax on food in restaurants.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I had forgotten that Deputy Parlon is in the Department of Finance. I thought he may have been in the Departments of Agriculture and Food or Transport after listening to him recently. We hear more from him about rail depots and other issues than we do about finance and one would think at times he is in the Opposition rather than the Government.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State in his guise as the Minister of State of the Department of Finance.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Government wishes us to believe that everything is perfect but this is not the case, as was indicated recently in the Meath and Kildare North by-elections. The people are not happy. I canvassed in Kildare North, which is a snapshot of what we will all face in our own constituencies soon. Nearly all constituencies have large urban areas and many displaced people. For example, there are...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: That is correct but the Minister of State must accept——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: One must wonder. Motorists are being nailed at every opportunity. First, there is a large VRT figure when buying a car. Second, there are significant insurance costs. Third, there is motor tax. Last, the Government is forcing——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Government is in favour of tolling without a return of investment for the public. There is tolling in France but there is no motor tax there. We have both here. Whether it likes it or not, the Government must accept that motorists are being clobbered. Homes and cars are basic commodities and not extravagances but people are crippled on a weekly basis because of them. The Government...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Does the Minister of State agree that people whose lands are compulsorily purchased against their wishes should not be liable for tax? For example, dairy farmers who decide to invest their money in other lands after their livelihood has been destroyed should not have such a penalty imposed on them. It is grossly unfair and does no one any service. The Government finally woke up to people's...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: With all due respect, comparing a rural village in County Offaly with Dublin——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I am referring to Dublin prices. If the Minister of State can find me an apartment or house in Dublin for €317,000, I will accept that I am wrong but he will not be able to do so——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: ——unless he goes far out of the city.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: A councillor in Kilkenny continuously raises with me the issue of the changes the Government has made to benefit in kind. This has impacted severely on employees. Employers who wish to reward long-serving and loyal employees are now having their hands tied behind their backs. The Government should re-examine this issue. Employers should be rewarded and not penalised for initiatives such as...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: We have no public transport. If one——