Results 1,361-1,380 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I make the point that a number of Members would have liked to have made a contribution on Second Stage. Moreover, there have been some good debates on the amendments that were tabled. It was a shame that Members were denied the opportunity on Second Stage to outline a range of views and reactions to this legislation. It is part of our democracy that this should have been allowed and I...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister said he wanted it implemented immediately.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: That means there will be a delay of at least five days. Perhaps the Minister would like to clarify that.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister said he wanted it implemented immediately. Question "That the Bill be received for final consideration" put and declared carried. Question "That Fifth Stage be taken now" put and declared carried.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister provide the House with an explanation?

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senator Boyle should be concerned about the way legislation is being dealt with.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last night in this House we saw a pathetic display of weakness from the Green Party, a party that was demolished in the recent elections. Last night the Green Party did not back the Government, of which it is part. If it is not going to vote for the Government, why does the Green Party not pull out of Government? Why does it continue to keep Fianna Fáil and this ineffectual Government in...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----and is unable to get its core principles implemented.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is clear that the Government is seeking refuge in the Oireachtas recess. There is much important, unfinished business to be done in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: A number of areas are extremely important and require further discussion, debate and review by this House. The report of an bord snip nua is being presented to Government today. Presuming the report is published, we will not be in session to discuss its vital recommendations. The implementation plan for the Ryan report was meant to be published in July. Again, that report should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Is the Senator in favour of that?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is relevant.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a perversion of the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator is confused. I said the Dáil should be brought back as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: No, they are coming from the Government, which is introducing legislation when the Dáil is in recess.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The debate on Second Stage was guillotined. The Leader should be honest.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I note that we are taking all Stages of the Bill and this is not a method that we like to see used in the House. I hope that when the House returns it will not be the way legislation is dealt with. Many anti-smoking groups see this legislation as a concession to vested interest groups and the smoking industry in general, and I am concerned about...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Only if the Minister accepted the amendments.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 29, after "order" to insert "not less than 14 days, except for offences relating to the sale of tobacco products to minors whereby removal from the register will be for a mandatory period of not less than 3 months". I thank the Minister of State for her response. It is interesting that the figure for duty free sales to minors is so low. In 2008 there...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: We discussed the advertising issue earlier to which the Minister of State responded. From some of the examples I have seen, there is a difference between a standard sign stating the need for the production of ID and a marketing campaign which, effectively, is what is happening, which creates a ready-made standard, namely, no ID no sale, on the shelves where cigarettes are sold. I assume...