Results 20,101-20,120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Professionals.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first matter I want to raise this morning is the rail strike which has greatly inconvenienced thousands of passengers over recent days. The latest news is that it is still continuing. The scale of the effect on passengers seems to be completely out of proportion to the issues involved, although there is some fault on both sides. What is the point of social partnership if we cannot have...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It should not be provided on the same site as a prison.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a ridiculous claim.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader is taking the same old approach. It is ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach issued an appeal for us to work together to secure a "Yes" vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Our posters were up before those of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the Civil Partnership Bill 2004, it appears that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, said the Bill would be delayed when he launched the "Pride 08" festival in Dublin last night. It seems the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is unable to confirm if the draft legislation will be available before the summer recess. There was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I remind him of the public meetings, the distribution of literature and the national campaign. The absence of campaigning by other parties in several places is striking. We have to work together on this issue to highlight the benefits of Europe and the Lisbon treaty for Ireland. I do not think the attitude he took will be effective in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was March.

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his reappointment. I am pleased to raise the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the action the Government intends to take as a result of the information that has come to light that Irish consumers are paying up to 50% more than consumers in the United Kingdom for similar goods. It seems ridiculous...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State for his strong and forthright response to the issue raised. The Minister of State said that Ireland is not a command economy and that customers should be dealt with fairly given the change in the euro. What actions will follow from the meeting with the National Consumer Agency? In what areas can the Government take action? The Minister of State is...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Consumer power.

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome that.

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is the view of the Minister of State on social workers speaking anonymously? Can he find out what is happening?

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State has been asked many questions during this debate. I am sure he agrees with me that it has been a disturbing debate, with widespread evidence of a crisis in the child protection services. What sort of emergency response is planned by the Minister of State? Was he convinced by the HSE's reassurances to him that it responds immediately in all cases where there is a...

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome this debate which gives us an important forum with the Minister of State to discuss the issues highlighted in the "Prime Time Investigates" report. Those of us who take an interest in this area are all too familiar with the waiting lists and the difficulties families have in accessing services, even where serious problems exist. What "Prime Time Investigates" told us was not new....

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I hope he will do so as a new Minister of State in this area. The word on the ground from people working in child psychiatry making referrals to social services is that the teams are under severe pressure. This is not just anecdotal. People on maternity leave are not replaced. Some of this boils down to what the HSE means by "serious and immediate risk". Will the Minister of State tell...

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: ——or directly to the Minister of State and speak about their experiences? What guidelines were issued to them about speaking to the media? Why can we not hear their voices publicly and hear what they have to state about the delivery of service? During the recent negotiations on the consultants contract an attempt was made to prevent consultants speaking of their experiences of the...