Results 1,241-1,260 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was the exception. The Minister is a member of the Green Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have accepted it.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, I would like to query the change to the Order of Business, which was not discussed with the Opposition. We were not given any notice of this until the Leader of the House came in. It could create a difficulty.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very bad practice to change the order of Bills without any notice to Members of the Opposition, in terms of getting speakers here and being prepared for the Bills that are coming before the House. It is all part of rushing this legislation through and it is not good practice. I ask the Leader not to do it again in the coming days, when there is so much legislation coming before the House.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to join my colleagues in congratulating the Minister on his approach to the work of the Seanad. This is something that could be copied by other Ministers. He is somewhat unique in his approach, although there may be one other Minister with a similar approach. I want to reiterate the point that listening to the arguments made here during the course of a debate and being willing to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with colleagues about the importance of this issue and the need to strengthen responsibilities in the area of homelessness. However, it is in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of such policies and the budgets allocated that we will really see the difference. Will the Minister comment on this point and on the proposed monitoring and implementation of the policy? He has...

Seanad: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am raising the issue of Gaelscoil na Camóige in Clondalkin village. I regret that I must table this Adjournment matter, but the position of the school is critical. It has immediate needs surrounding two classrooms that the board of management recently decided could no longer remain open. This meant that young children had to carry their desks and chairs across the yard to temporary...

Seanad: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister of State convey to the Department of Education and Science the urgency of this case? There is nothing in the Minister of State's reply saying the new site will be made available soon. It is a reiteration of the old position. There is no news on when the new building may become available. Will the Minister of State ask the Department to engage constructively with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad they have changed their minds.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a U-turn but a welcome one.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: We will see.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not just the economy that the Government cannot manage, but the business of the Seanad and the Dáil. How else can one explain what is happening today in the Seanad, with all Stages of two Bills being taken?. It would appear from the way the Leader has announced the Order of Business that there is no break between Second Stage and Committee Stage of the Enforcement of Court Orders...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will be opposing the Order of Business in regard to the management of the work of the House today.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: All Stages are being taken on the same day.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: All Stages of a Bill are being taken today. That is not a misunderstanding.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader is talking double Dutch.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The point is that we are taking all Stages.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, is the Leader taking all Stages of two Bills in this House today, contrary to precedence and good practice?