Results 2,501-2,520 of 2,569 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Business of Joint Committee (27 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the former Minister of State for the good job she has done. She was a very passionate Minister and I wish her the best in her political career.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the Thirty-First Amendment to the Constitution (Children) Bill. This is vital and entirely worthy legislation. As other speakers - including the Minister - indicated, it constitutes a firm commitment by the Government to protect children, support families and treat all children equally. The Bill is the culmination of immense work by the offices...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the Thirty-First Amendment to the Constitution (Children) Bill. This is vital and entirely worthy legislation. As other speakers - including the Minister - indicated, it constitutes a firm commitment by the Government to protect children, support families and treat all children equally. The Bill is the culmination of immense work by the offices...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Department of Health Statement of Strategy 2011-14: Discussion with Secretary General of Department of Health (20 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Work is under way on the completion of the framework for smaller hospitals and the development of hospital groups. I intend to refer to Louth County Hospital.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Department of Health Statement of Strategy 2011-14: Discussion with Secretary General of Department of Health (20 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Yes. All acute medicine was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in July 2010. A minor injury unit was established at the time in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk. The aforementioned unit provides for patients aged 14 and upwards who present with less serious injuries that do not require hospital admission. Day surgeries are in place and since mid-August, an additional...

Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Sep 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012. The Bill will amend and consolidate previous legislation on animal health. It also aims to ensure the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, is properly protected. Penalties for offences will be increased significantly. The primary aim of the Bill is bring all animal health and welfare legislation...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (18 Jul 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I propose to share time with Deputy Tom Barry. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important legislation. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 includes provisions allowing all holders of valid firearm certificates issued for shotguns between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2012 to be deemed to be the holders of a hunting licence under the Wildlife Acts for the purposes of hunting game bird and...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this legislation. As an elected Deputy for the past 18 months, I have dealt with personal queries from distressed constituents throughout counties Louth and east Meath. From Laytown to Greenore, Clogherhead and Tallanstown, the message has been the same - people need to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As a businessman, I have seen the...

Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bill which is a welcome addition to the Statute Book. I am fortunate that on my travels throughout my constituency comprising Louth and east Meath the issue of sexual offences against children arose on very few occasions. This is despite the fact that Louth boasts two large urban population centres, in Dundalk and Drogheda. The purpose of the...

Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues: Statements (21 Jun 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Ireland's stance on this important issue. Since the late 1950s, this country has been actively engaged in the diplomacy of nuclear non-proliferation. Joining the United Nations gave Ireland the opportunity to express a more positive and assertive neutrality. One of the high points of this strategy was the role played by the State in...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Jun 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill, which provides for a statutory fund to support the survivors of residential institution child abuse. This Bill establishes a residential institution statutory fund board, which will oversee applications for assistance and make arrangements for the provision of approved services or grants to former...

European Communities (Amendnment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (6 Jun 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: May I share time with a number of my colleagues?

European Communities (Amendnment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (6 Jun 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012. It is particularly apt to be discussing a European Bill following the recent adoption of the fiscal treaty by the Irish people. The relief among my constituents is palpable. I was in Drogheda on constituency work this morning and it is fair to say people were delighted the referendum was passed. An air of...

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I wish to share my time with Deputy Paul Connaughton.

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: It is not just with pleasure that I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Credit Guarantee Bill but also with sheer elation. On a daily basis in my constituency office in Dundalk I meet people who are distraught about the lack of credit opportunities for their businesses which are usually small, with ten or fewer employees. Quite often they are labour-intensive and located in the lesser...

Construction Contracts Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (3 May 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this Bill, which was introduced following the demise of the property industry and with its resulting casualties. Quite often these casualties were not just the larger, well-known companies, but the smaller contractors which had neither the resources nor the capital to sustain the loses they were ultimately to endure. This Bill will predominantly address...

Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 May 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to debate the Road Safety (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 which overhauls the system for testing the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles and permits the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to assign new functions in this area to the RSA. In addition, the driving licence system will be centralised and transferred from local authorities to the...

Banking Sector Regulation: Announcement by Minister for Finance (29 Mar 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am next to contribute on the Topical Issue Debate and have no problem waiting.

Sheep Worrying (29 Mar 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Recently some harrowing and shocking accounts of sheep worrying in the Cooley peninsula, County Louth, have come to my attention. The problem is nearing epidemic proportions and causing great strain among the farming community in the area. This area of north Louth has outstanding natural beauty and, as a result, attracts thousands of visitors for recreation. They are welcomed by the farming...

Sheep Worrying (29 Mar 2012)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for his reply. Up to 2.5 million lambs will be born across the country in the next three months. A dog attack is extremely stressful on sheep and can result in severe injuries and death. I recognise the majority of dog owners are responsible. However, a simple lapse of concentration can have disastrous consequences. I urge dog owners at this time of year to be careful...