Results 1,561-1,580 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: He received 58 million votes in the last election, the highest vote any US president ever received.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: He is democratically elected and it is protocol that US presidents are invited. Can the Acting Leader find out what is the situation? We could consider this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: There will be a referendum on the rights of children. Could we also have a referendum on the right of every citizen to proper health care? This matter has been raised many times and it seems crazy that it is not the case at present. We should enshrine it in the Constitution that every citizen in the State is entitled to proper health care. This morning I listened to Today FM, a station...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: In a democracy people should not be afraid of free speech. One's opinion is one's own business and one should deal with the issues raised but not start name-calling, as happened this morning.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: My amendment No. 2 distinguishes between children aged 12 or younger and children aged 13 or older. As the Minister of State knows, even in legal terms, a differentiation is made between children aged zero to 18 years. While we apply the term "minors" to that group, there are different rules for children. The Minister of State will be more familiar than I with the various terms. The term...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: The point I make is that in other legislation, the Government has differentiated between the different ages and acknowledged that in legal terms, we do not classify all people between the ages of zero and 18 as one group. Children are treated in many different ways and at many different levels by the law according to the extent of their minority. A point brought to my attention was that...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, line 30, to delete "five years" and substitute the following: "— (i) 5 years in the case of a child aged 12 years or younger, and (ii) 3 years in the case of a child aged 13 years or older,".

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 12: In page 5, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(7) Where a consent is given under subsection (6), the foster parent or relative of the child shall inform the Health Service Executive as soon as may be reasonable.". I raised this point on Committee Stage. The purpose of the Bill is to give foster parents more autonomy. However, even with these...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I accept the word of the Minister of State. However, I would be happier with written legislation. I am aware the foster care plan exists and in theory a record of what happens is written down. I understand that is not necessarily the case in practice.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 21: In page 6, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: "(12) In this section, "missing", in respect of a parent, means a parent who has had no contact whatsoever with either the child or the Health Service Executive for a continuous period of at least 1 year.". I am concerned about the lack of clarification with regard to the term "missing". I can foresee this...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (8 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State, his officials and the other spokespersons in the House. I hope this Bill will ensure that both foster children and foster parents have a better lifestyle and greater autonomy in their daily lives, which is the main purpose of the Bill. Despite the country's accumulation of wealth and success in recent years, many problems still remain. Unfortunately, there...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: It is true.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: Talk and action are different.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: He is in a position to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I support Senator O'Meara's comments about accident and emergency departments. Last year 1.2 million people passed through such departments, of whom 285,000 were admitted to hospital. It is vital that the House debates the future of accident and emergency departments throughout the State. I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Brian Hayes, which calls for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: The presence of the Minister for such a debate is irrelevant, given that she did not even turn up at the press conference to launch the report. That was bad form and it is not the way to do business.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: I support the call for the nursing home report to be debated. Senator Norris may have an opportunity to see inside the Dublin Port tunnel prior to its opening. I am taking part in a 10 km fun run through the tunnel ten days before it opens.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Fergal Browne: The Minister did not turn up at the press conference.