Results 1,861-1,880 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We criticise regimes when they do this. It is extraordinary that the Government is to move one writ but, it appears, not the others. As Deaglán de Bréadún rightly observes in The Irish Times today: "It has taken the High Court to spell out the Coalition's constitutional duty and emphasise that the citizen is supreme". It is time to realise the international bond markets are not...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: How does the Leader intend to respect the motion passed in the House and the Independent Senators who initiated it? When will the Minister respond? The Government amendment to the motion was defeated. Will the Leader inform the House about the intention of the Minister?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We all know this is an incredibly difficult time for the country and that the impact is being felt by families across the country. It is important we realise that while, at a macro level, the broad parameters of fiscal policy are being discussed in the Dáil and the Seanad and at the meetings taking place with Commissioner Rehn, the impact of these discussions on ordinary families will be...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the run-up to the budget we have heard a lot about how we protect the elderly and the services the country provides for them. That is critical and it acquires a particular significance given the shortage of resources. It is not just about making decisions at election time; it also concerns how the State reacts in providing services for the elderly on an ongoing basis. They lead letter...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Only one schedule was received.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We need some action.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome his commitment to this area, as well as the work programme he has outlined. This is a time of change concerning the mental health sector, both for politicians and the public at large. That can be seen from the fact that See Change meetings around the country have, for the most part, attracted very good numbers. There is clearly a widespread...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are meeting on what is an extremely difficult day for Ireland. It is clear our biggest asset is the resilience of the people, as we saw last night in some of the contributions made on "The Frontline" programme. Nevertheless, even in spite of their resilience, many are very nervous and scared; they are worried about their pensions, deposits and the cutbacks to be made and are asking...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was just a request.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I begin by expressing my sincere condolences to those affected by the tragic deaths in both Cork and Limerick yesterday. As investigations are ongoing, I will refrain from commenting other than to say that this loss of young life is very tragic. My heart goes out to all the relatives, families and the communities affected by these tragedies. These awful family and community tragedies put...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want to return to the ongoing talks in which Ireland is engaged at a European and world level at this stage and the effect that our failure of policy is having on the eurozone. We heard the very nuanced comments of the Minister for Finance this morning and the denial of several Ministers in recent days. I must comment on this culture of denial that seems to be endemic in Ministers instead...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Irish people have got the truth more from YouTube, European commentators and Ministers than they have from their own Irish Ministers. This lack of levelling with the people and coming out and calling it as it is an absolute disgrace. We have seen this denial in this House for months on end in regard to banking and the general fiscal situation. We heard figures just last week that have...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very clear that we need to step up our discussions about reform in this House, in the Oireachtas generally and in the country. We need Ministers in here talking about reform, how they will implement reform in the banking sector, in politics, in the HSE and in FÁS. We need, at the very least, to step up our discussions on reform because there is no point having more money and spending...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----and at what stage reform is at this point in regard to that specific agreement. If we want to take that as a touchstone about reform, let us hear what is happening, why there are delays and what the up-to-date position is.

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to deal with this debate. She is one of the few Ministers who always attends the House for debates related to her Department and it is appreciated. The development of the national paediatric hospital is a significant project for any country and it is a critical part of the infrastructure. Those of us familiar with the children's hospitals in...

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister in her contribution said she did not understand the controversy. The main concerns of the ordinary people of the country and the parents of sick children have been about access to the centre city site. This is fuelled by the fact that the outpatients' departments in Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght hospitals each deal with 30,000 children a year. The country also has a...

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, but €90 million still seems a lot of money to raise from such sources. People still have concerns about the reality of the approach to the funding of this project at this time. I think the Minister will understand the reason for their concerns. Is it a viable project? The Minister seems to be saying she considers it a viable project even in the current situation. We have had the...

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree.

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is very helpful because there is significant confusion. Representations were made to me on governance issues. I, therefore, welcome the Minister's clarification that the site was donated and that the governance structures will be different from what one might assume given the location. Questions were asked about the process of site selection with reference to the transport studies...