Results 1,421-1,440 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: Fine Gael went to the bother of producing a Private Members' Bill on the matter and as a matter of courtesy and precedent, gave it to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for perusal. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, leaked the document to the Irish Independent to try to damage Fine Gael. Meanwhile he was doing nothing on the issue and I understand he did not even have the heads...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: It should be examined

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I move: That Seanad Éireann condemns the Government for pursuing a policy which will give away the lands of public hospitals to private hospital developers; and calls on the Government to: —abandon its plans to give the lands of public hospitals to private developers; —ensure that the lands on public hospitals are kept for public health...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: Is the Senator joking? Consultants spend equal time in public and private health care.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: Definitely not.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: I am more convinced than ever.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: What will happen when the lease is up?

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: She did not mention public lands.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: No it has not.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: I am more convinced than ever that Fine Gael was correct in tabling this motion. My party is in favour of private sector involvement in the health service and welcomes the provision of 1,000 additional private beds. However, we are asking whether this is the best way forward. The Members opposite are being disingenuous when they accuse us of opposing 1,000 new beds. Of course we welcome these...

Seanad: Garda Deployment. (31 May 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Local papers in Carlow last week carried front page headlines reading "Lack of gardaí led to closure of station". This was in Carlow town, which has a population of over 20,000 people. In yesterday's Carlow People the chief superintendent admitted there is a major drug problem in Carlow. There is grave concern in Carlow town and county about the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: Many Senators have referred to last Friday's sitting of the House. It is not ideal for the Houses of the Oireachtas to sit on the same day as a major court case. The courts and the Oireachtas are separate and we should not be seen to compete with each other. Thankfully, last Friday's court case concerning Mr. A went the way everyone hoped it would. Had it gone wrong, I imagine it would have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: When the health boards were being abolished we were told we would have a much better system but I do not think we have. Today's newspapers have reported 586 cases of MRSA in hospitals.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: There is a delay of six months to three years for patients awaiting treatment at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire. It is time we had a debate on how effective the HSE is, as well as how we can improve it. Patients are certainly not getting the service they deserve.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: Matching funds is the problem.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I will not go into the background of the disgraceful events surrounding the Bill. It is amazing that a year and seven months later we have returned to the matter. There is, however, still no idea of when exactly these payments will be made to those affected. Many will have passed on in the intervening period. The Fine Gael Party welcomes the Bill but has reservations about its implementation....

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: The contradiction is that while the Government is not allowing the HSE to administer the scheme, to date the HSE has administered €20 million in ex gratia payments to 10,000 people. I am normally used to Senator Minihan heckling me.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: Another contradiction is that sections 5(3)(a) and (b) provide that applications made after 1 January 2008, or such later date as the Minister may prescribe, will not be considered. That is fair enough and I understand its logic, but the Bill does not contain a specific date putting pressure on the HSE or the Department of Health and Children to pay up. While the Government is telling people...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: That was the word used by the Taoiseach to describe Willie Walsh's behaviour.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (7 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: Will the Department write to inform the people concerned?