Results 1,721-1,740 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yesterday, Senator Ross raised the comments of the Director of Public Prosecutions as regards the need for whistleblower legislation. On rereading the comments of the Director of Public Prosecutions, it is clear he expects the Government to make the required changes to the criminal justice system if we are to implement a proper regulatory system. This raises the question of legislation....

Seanad: School Patronage (19 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State. I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise the need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the process undertaken by her Department to date in considering and awarding patronage of a new second level school in Lucan, County Dublin. There is ongoing confusion in Lucan and throughout the country about the what process on which the Department...

Seanad: School Patronage (19 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Minister of State to bring to the attention of the Department the census work that has been carried out by the Lucan south secondary school action group. The information is available on the group's website and I believe a copy was given to the Department. In the light of the reply to a previous parliamentary question, I urge the Department to examine the figures and reconsider its...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: As we know today is the anniversary of the publication of the Ryan report. We then had a report from the Minister which was called an implementation report. It is extremely important that we have a debate in this House on the implementation report so we may monitor and discuss what has happened to those recommendations. We were all truly horrified by the contents of the Ryan report, and it...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last night on the RTE programmes "Prime Time" and "The Frontline" we saw evidence of the abject failure of the Government in delivering services to persons caring for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. There has been a failure in delivering services to good people who are doing their very best in their homes to look after loved ones. It was clear that the State had in no...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is closer to €20 billion.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (26 May 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was with a real sense of shock and sadness that we heard this morning of the sudden passing of our dear colleague, Senator Kieran Phelan. That sense of shock will have been multiplied hundredfold for his wife, Mary; his four daughters, Fiona, Martina, Brenda and Aisling; and his son, Patrick. My heartfelt sympathy and that of my party goes out to them on this very sad day. Death is...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Several national and international events have taken place over recent days which need to be debated in this House and should be reflected in our work and on the Order of Business. We have seen the shocking and worrying pictures of the Israeli military boarding a flotilla of ships delivering aid to the people of Gaza and Irish citizens in international waters effectively being kidnapped, as...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Did the Leader say the Senator will not have an opportunity to make a statement to the House?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand Senator Callely will make a statement to the House this morning on the controversy surrounding his expenses. Members sought such a statement yesterday and expressed serious concerns regarding the media reports on his expenses. As I will not be provided with an opportunity to respond to his statement later, I note it should be thorough and comprehensive and address all the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: On each occasion this week when I have spoken in the House about recent events I have delivered a very clear and consistent message to the Leader and the Cathaoirleach on the need to address the issues raised in a public and transparent way. Senator Callely's party leader, the Taoiseach, has also said a full statement should be made to this House. Certain Green Party Senators - Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is up to the Cathaoirleach to decide. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that Senator Callely be given the opportunity to make a full statement in the House today on matters which have arisen recently. This is an important issue, about which there is significant public concern. It is important that it be dealt with by way of a full statement. The Taoiseach has indicated...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Does the Cathoirleach mean to say he is not accepting the amendment?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I proposed the amendment to give the House an opportunity to express its wish on the matter. It is to give Members an opportunity to state their views on the statement.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will it translate into a vote? That is the question.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the imminent publication of the Saville report on the events of Bloody Sunday. I am sure the Leader will arrange for us to debate it and discuss its findings. I call on him to arrange such a debate as soon as possible. I am sure Senators on all sides of the House are pleased that the Seanad is back in session this week.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last week we had a bizarre situation where the Government published two long awaited banking reports but the Seanad did not sit, while the Dáil was effectively muzzled by the actions of the Government. We know that every possible forum in the country was discussing the reports. Independent experts, domestically and internationally, delivered a damning verdict on the actions of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why have so many women had the dreadful experience of having scans and being given the wrong information? Only for their persistence, they would have ended up having a D and C, dilation and curettage, procedure which they did not need. This is remarkably traumatic for all the women concerned. We need an independent HIQA based inquiry to ensure this will never happen again. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: You wish.