Results 1,961-1,980 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: He did it yesterday on most important legislation involving serious decisions. We were only allowed discuss four out of 15 sections of the Bill. That is a disgraceful way to treat the House, does nothing to enhance the reputation of the House and raises serious questions about how business is conducted here.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was bad deal.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: At what time does the Leader expect the Bill to be brought before the House and at what time does he wish the debate on it to conclude?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: At what time will that be?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on public transport, specifically Dublin Bus, when the House returns after the Christmas break. Dublin Bus recently set about changing its routes. I am aware of reductions in service in parts of Dublin, especially in the Lucan-Palmerstown area. The deterioration in service being experienced by people in the area gives rise to major competition issues...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Leader to clarify the date of return of the Seanad. What we have seen in the House again this week is legislation being rushed through; there has been no change in the way business is done, which is what the public is demanding - it is demanding reform. Yet again critical banking legislation, aspects of which, as we all know, are needed and about elements of which there are deep...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We welcomed the increase in exports.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: He was still saying it this week while doing the opposite.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Tell that to the unemployed.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: What does that mean? What exactly is Senator O'Malley saying?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are 400,000 unemployed. Give us a break.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Paid for by the taxpayers, no fiefdoms.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome what Minister said about a further review of the rent supplement scheme. Will he outline the most up-to-date figures for the cost to the Exchequer of the scheme? It is critical that we obtain as much value for money as possible. The scheme is necessary for many, but there is certainly scope within it for reform. What we are discussing is part of that reform. There ought to be...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We are spending €500 million on the scheme, a huge amount of taxpayers' money. Clearly, people need housing but the point about housing standards is critical, particularly when fuel poverty is increasingly an issue. If we give money to people to stay in substandard houses, they must then spend more money on fuel, thus becoming more reliant on the State. It is a vicious circle.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is relevant to the amendment. It is about standards.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The amendment is about standards.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is about holding the landlords to account.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is about holding them to account and the Minister must move as quickly as possible on this area to change the situation. I welcome the Minister's comments on the need for change but the whole area is in need of reform.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: Can the Leader confirm when the Finance Bill will come into the House? Is it the case that the Bill will not reach the House until 24, 25 and 26 February? That is quite a delay. Today, many families are feeling the impact of poor decision making by the Government. They see their incomes slashed and their social welfare payments cut. They hear about huge rises in VHI premia, which is of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Frances Fitzgerald: So much for an election in January.