Results 161-180 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I admit to being a little confused. Given my background, I am very sympathetic towards some of the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Toole. However, I am not at all sure that there is such a closeness between the different circumstances outlined. Consider the case of a primary teacher and a member of An Garda Síochána. I have always understood that there is no contract involved when a...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I do not see the analogous precision that Senator O'Toole does. While there is a close analogy, the big distinction is the continuum. I consider this to be relevant and await a reply from the Minister of State. I am supportive of what he says and I hope his suggestion is workable. I hope it can be introduced and that the Minister for Finance sees the wisdom and relevance of what he is saying....

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: While it supports the argument, it does not establish the right and this is the problem. There is a chasm between supporting the argument and establishing the right. While I would be delighted to support the closing of this gap, I foresee enormous difficulties. The Minister of State referred to slippery slopes and I would be inclined to agree with him. I am extremely supportive of the...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: There is far more logic in supporting this case than there was in previous cases. I urge the Minister of State to examine the matter for Report Stage.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: The decision of the Minister for Education and Science to take part in your education system, YES style debates at the teachers' conferences this easter is a reasonable and genuine attempt to fully engage with 1,700 teacher representatives on the future of our education system. His suggestion that the other principal partners in education should be present is good because it will enhance the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: While such conferences provide a forum for teachers' unions to get involved in industrial relations issues, they also provide a wonderful opportunity for teachers to exchange educational problems and share solutions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: Parents' representatives and boards of management agree with the Minister. I call on the unions to enthusiastically embrace the challenge thrown down by the Minister in the interest of all our schoolchildren.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the decision of Senator Minihan and the Progressive Democrats to table this timely motion. The most comprehensive and significant review and evaluation of the third level system in a generation is being undertaken by the OECD. It will examine all aspects of higher education, including the State's performance in comparison to other OECD countries. A high calibre team has been...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: ——we must all have the courage of our convictions and give them a fair hearing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the decision by the Minister for Education and Science to open up a debate on the publication of schools' performance tables. A related issue concerns how much information should be made available to parents and students who must make decisions about choosing schools. While the Education Act 1998 banned the publication of performance tables, at the other extreme some people argue...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: Although his party's sojourn in Government was short, we will find sufficient examples. I welcome the decision by one of the teachers' unions to invite the Minister for Education and Science to attend its conference in the near future. I never had any doubt about the union's ability to engage in a meaningful debate with the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I regret that the other two teachers' unions did not see fit to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join Senator Ulick Burke in calling for a debate on disciplinary problems in classrooms in primary and secondary schools. While the problems referred to in the ASTI survey have their origins outside the school gate, they are manifested in the classroom to the detriment of teachers and pupils and reflect the fact that a significant swathe of parents seem to have opted out of their...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the call for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss the issuing of information from his Department because, when he does so, he will expose the bogus nature of some of the assertions that are flying around, particularly those made by Fine Gael.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: Attempts to raise this issue to a matter of national importance or scandal are bizarre for a number of reasons.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: First, the information in question was already available. Second, I understand the Fine Gael spokesperson on education in the other House sought full access to all the files on disadvantage in the Department of Education and Science last month and had all the relevant documents made available to her. The issue about which allegations are being made is being portrayed as unprecedented in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am just finishing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is being portrayed as unprecedented when, as we all know——

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: I have a question. As we all know, it has happened during the terms of successive Governments.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Liam Fitzgerald: Third, is the House aware that between 1994 and 1997, a highly specialised political unit was established——