Results 1,861-1,880 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (3 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for his reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I agree with the change in today's Order of Business. Will we debate the Pharmacy Bill tomorrow? I hope we will not as it will go to the Dáil at 9.30 p.m. and if changes are made, it will mean an extremely short turnaround. It seems to be rushed and unfair to everyone involved. Tomorrow, one of the most dangerous places any of us can be is near an off-licence because we will be met with...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: People are mature and intelligent and they can decide whether they want to drink regardless of whether an off-licence is open. It is time the origins of the law were examined and it was relaxed. Off-licences should be allowed to sell alcohol on Good Friday. It might reduce the consumption of alcohol on Good Friday. People can adhere to the rule according to their religious beliefs.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I remember when one could not go to pubs between certain hours on Sundays. This rule was relaxed and the world continued as normal without chaos.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I wish to echo what Senator McHugh said about the postal vote. We must make a case for people going on holiday who are taxpayers and citizens and as such entitled to vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: If they are allowed bring in their plane tickets or whatever they need to prove they will leave the country, they should be given the option of an emergency postal vote which can be supervised in a Garda station.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: We want to encourage people to take part in the democratic process.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: With the exception of the university senators, all of us on this side of the House were elected by the postal method.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: With regard to the 43 Senators voted by councillors, the postal method sees almost 100% voter turnout.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: That is the point.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 5: In page 27, lines 7 to 14, to delete subsection (7). I am offended by the manner in which this section of the Bill lumps politicians in with convicts, fraudsters and bankrupts. I am sure such people are not too happy about being lumped in with politicians. While I do not suggest that politicians should have to be on boards of this nature, I do not think there should...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: We do not wish to be partisan, we want to look out for the public interest. Whatever one thinks of politicians, they must present themselves before the electorate every five years. The electorate may decide to hire or fire. During my short time in politics I have seen an erosion of democracy. Members are not allowed to sit on local authorities. County managers are the only people happy...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 6: In page 41, subsection (1), line 15, to delete "establish and maintain a" and substitute the following: "establish, maintain and make available to the public a published". This is about public accountability and availability.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I wish I had his money as well. I ask the Leader to speak to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to consider an information campaign aimed at first-time voters such as 18 year olds in secondary schools or in their first college year and the many new citizens who are entitled to vote. Our system of voting is quite complex. People probably have a vague idea of...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: It is important the system is explained in a public information campaign. I wish to make a point about the MacEntee report. The guilty ones are those who planted the bombs and they should be the people in line for most criticism.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: We could debate Seanad reform and the extension of the university vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: We could have a special debate on expanding the university vote.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: As only 16 minutes remain to discuss this Bill and Members will be most interested in speaking on the issues pertaining to sections 63 and 64, I ask that we quickly deal with amendments which give rise to no difficulties.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Bill in general, and the Minister has clarified several issues. I am aware the IPU would have preferred a blanket ban on the collocation of pharmacies in primary care centres but I understand why that did not happen. I am happy we have clearly set out in the legislation that pharmacies must have separate entrances to primary care centres. I reiterate the need to introduce...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (5 Apr 2007)

Fergal Browne: To be helpful, all I mean is somebody who is in it purely for money and has no medical background or interest.