Results 1,061-1,080 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I will be brief because it has been a long debate. I regret the fact that this is neither a rights nor a resource-based Bill, there is no proofing and it is vague on financial commitments. It is deeply regrettable that parents will still be forced to take court actions and might even find that more difficult because of the Bill. There have been considerable advances made in this area over the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Absolute rubbish.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: With regard to the debate on café bars, I have never met anybody who died of thirst or lack of alcohol. I am delighted the Minister has climbed down and am bemused to hear the Progressive Democrats talk of cheaper alcohol for sale in these so-called café bars. If that was the case, why did the party not look for a cut in duty from the Minister for Finance?

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator Bannon in that the Minister for Health and Children should come to the House to debate the health aspect of increasing the potential sales of alcohol. It would be a disaster for the community at large. We witness more anti-social behaviour every week. Local newspapers are full of court cases almost all of which are alcohol-related. Making alcohol even more freely...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator Finucane on the article in the newspaper last Sunday. It is time we considered the use of the PPS number when registering people to vote. It would solve many problems and also present opportunities. This is especially the case in respect of presidential elections. If, for example, somebody from Carlow found himself in Donegal at the time of an election, he could legally...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: When there is a general election.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I join with colleagues in calling for an urgent debate on the sugar beet industry. Fine Gael tabled a Private Members' motion on this matter in January and, unfortunately, our worst fears have been realised. It is time we had an urgent debate on the matter. It is worth pointing out that the sugar beet industry is a very lucrative one which made profits of over €10 million last year. I wish...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: When the report is published we should remember the time of year it was carried out. I seek a debate on the announcement yesterday on child care by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. As a former teacher I do not believe it is possible to use schools in the way the Minister outlined. It is a good idea in theory but a bad one in practice. It could be done if schools had spare...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I support the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, in his call for a debate on risk equalisation. Yesterday's decision was a terrible mistake. It is worth pointing out that BUPA makes 17% profit in Ireland, in comparison to 5% profit in its UK operation. The recent statement by BUPA that it would pull out of the Irish market if risk equalisation were introduced was both childish and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Yes. Both BUPA and VHI have increased their prices by 97% in the past seven years and the consumer does not get value for money. It is a regrettable decision and we should have a debate in the House before the recess.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I also ask the Leader to inquire from the Tánaiste about the report on sudden adult death which was due out last May and still has not been published. I ask her to find out when exactly it will be published. On Friday the Minister for Agriculture and Food will be in the House to discuss the Veterinary Practice Bill. It might be an opportune time to have a debate on the sugar beet industry....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. This is a missed opportunity on a number of points. I am not happy that Carlow is being split again. I accept Senator Brady's point about accepting the entire package, but this may cause problems for small counties. I feel sorry for Leitrim which is now at a huge disadvantage because it has been split in two. The Constitution...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (29 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Last week, the Government made one of its most embarrassing mistakes in its eight year record, which is some achievement, when the Minister for Health and Children finally announced the €564 million capital programme for hospitals throughout the country. In the meantime, St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, was being praised at the Cabinet table for having managed its limited resources so well...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (29 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Can the canteen issue be re-examined? It is a small matter that could make a major difference. A problem exists within the HSE. Some in the HSE are claiming that the application went in before the final announcement, which makes no sense. Even in the Minister of State's reply it was stated that a whole hospital brief was prepared in 2003. This is an issue that should be examined, as somebody...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: We should consider allowing people who are going on holidays to apply for a temporary postal vote. When elections are held in May or June, many people are unable to vote because they have already planned to go on holidays for a period of time that includes the polling date. We should consider giving temporary postal votes to people who can submit travel vouchers showing that they have booked...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps. However, we will counteract that. In the case of the presidential or European elections, if one is within one's Dáil constituency, one should be able to vote. Local elections are different because one must vote in a specified area. We should examine the advantages of the PPS number system. On the question of notifying people who are being removed from the voting register, they...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Offaly would be okay this year.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Does the Senator want Vincent Browne trailing around after her?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 7: In page 5, column 2, to delete all words from and including "Carlow", in line 4 down to and including "Wicklow." in line 6 and substitute "Carlow.". The Minister and I have a conflict of interest in regard to this amendment and he will be glad to know I do not intend to press it to a vote. I have put it down as a marker because although I accept the electoral...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: Senator Mansergh mentioned that a section of south County Tipperary is included in the Waterford constituency. The possibility that some part of south Kilkenny might also transfer into the Waterford constituency is a nightmare.