Results 101-120 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: —with particular reference to access to third level education. I am disappointed with the response of both Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators because the acting leader of Fine Gael in the House referred to the debate as bogus.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Since when did the disadvantaged become a bogus entity and issues of disadvantage become irrelevant in the House? Does the word "bogus" refer to the fact that Opposition Senators tabled a one-liner, a cynical—

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: That is certainly bogus. The word reflects on those Senators. The response of Labour Party Senators during the education debate was a cynical effort to deflect attention from the fact that when the Labour Party abolished university fees in 1994, it raided primary and post-primary funds— (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the transition from Machiavelli's Student Prince to Milton's Paradise Lost by the leaders of the Opposition—

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: —-who now seem to be more preoccupied—

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: They are shifting the grounds of their argument every time they lose one.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I remind them that there was a sequel, Paradise Regained, but Senators should not hold their breath because one cannot regain what one has never had to lose.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I support Senator Ulick Burke's request for the Minister for Education and Science to come into the House to enlighten us about the two issues which seem to have caused confusion among the public. The first relates to St. Mary's school for visually impaired girls. We all agree that if such a facility was not available even for six pupils, as is the case currently, it would be unsatisfactory....

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Those are the facts which will stand up to scrutiny.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Does the Leader agree that for the first time an independent appeals procedure has been put in place and that schools which are vulnerable to losing minority subjects, such as those to which Senator Ulick Burke referred, can make such an appeal?

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join Senator Ulick Burke in calling on the Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss the issues which have been brought to the courts by him. These are emotive issues. The issue of disability is always a sensitive one. There are balance of rights issues involved here which have legal and constitutional implications. We all acknowledge, and the...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome this ambitious and challenging reform programme which he, with the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and the Department have set before us. It represents a huge challenge to address serious ongoing problems in the health service despite the phenomenal investment in recent years. Some commentators such as Colm Rapple...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I merely wanted to talk about the bedside manner, but they took extreme umbrage at my remarks. What umbrage will they take now that the Minister, Deputy Martin, is intent on dealing with the issue of their contracts? It may prove to be a more formidable challenge than those he has previously tackled.

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris. He requested that I give him the last minute of my time.

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I support the amendment to the motion. Some fundamental and valid questions have been raised by Senator O'Toole. I do not claim to have the answers but would make one suggestion. Given the questions he raised, it appears that he has lost faith in the structures in place. I would be one of the first to concede that there are serious faults in them. During recent events in Iraq, when criticisms...

Seanad: Nuclear Safety: Motion. (2 Jul 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister and the Government motion. I commend the Minister on the work he has put into this task. Since assuming office, he has been working step by step through the machinery available in legal international fora to bring about the ultimate objective, the closure of the plant at Sellafield. In the context of that work, I commend the Minister for the pro tem order referred to in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join my colleague, Senator Dardis, in warmly welcoming the anticipated announcement by the Taoiseach today at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions conference that State land will be made available for the construction of 10,000 affordable houses. I have no hang-up as to the location at which the announcement will be made. It is tremendous news for first-time buyers and should be warmly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: We are not like the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Does the Leader agree that regarding Government proposals to shed jobs in the public service, it was made categorically clear that no teachers would be affected? The record should be corrected on this matter. On a proposal by Senator Glynn, does the Leader agree that given that an in-depth reform is taking place within the Department of Education and Science in terms of school administration...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Is mian liom fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí. I am delighted that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Callely, is present to listen to the statements of Senators in this debate. This important area is close and dear to where he is coming from as a Minister of State. The views he has articulated since his appointment as...