Results 341-360 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (Resumed). (8 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Not at all.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: We are not like the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Does the Leader agree that regarding Government proposals to shed jobs in the public service, it was made categorically clear that no teachers would be affected? The record should be corrected on this matter. On a proposal by Senator Glynn, does the Leader agree that given that an in-depth reform is taking place within the Department of Education and Science in terms of school administration...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Is mian liom fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí. I am delighted that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Callely, is present to listen to the statements of Senators in this debate. This important area is close and dear to where he is coming from as a Minister of State. The views he has articulated since his appointment as...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The Opposition should make positive, definitive and categorical suggestions and proposals to that effect. When Opposition Members oppose, one expects them to propose something different and better, because there is no point in doing something different if it is not better, or one expects that, having done something worthwhile in the past which they now see being dismantled before their eyes,...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is notable that the Ministers in the rainbow Government who were approached at that time have stayed well clear of this debate. Is this a case of "is binn béal ina thost"? By their silence shall we know them. This Government is the first in the history of the State to listen to victims of abuse, apologise to them on behalf of the State and take positive action to redress the wrongs...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The purpose seems to be to confuse everybody and ignore the consequences

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The leader of the Labour Party commented that the resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy from the commission would cause more people to take their cases to the High Court rather than the redress board. That there is no connection between the work of the commission and the redress board seems to have escaped his notice, or did it? Perhaps it has not escaped his notice but he is doing his best to...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: This is real reason why the review of the investigation committee is taking place.

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: It became clear that the lack of a redress scheme was seriously impeding the work of the commission and therefore the Government moved to establish one. The necessary legislation was enacted last year, as we know. On CORI and the question of what the Government did, would have done or should have done, very few positive proposals are being made by the Opposition. It is suggesting that the...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The Government is delivering for the survivors of institutional abuse and it deserves the support of everyone in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join my colleague, Senator Dardis, in warmly welcoming the anticipated announcement by the Taoiseach today at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions conference that State land will be made available for the construction of 10,000 affordable houses. I have no hang-up as to the location at which the announcement will be made. It is tremendous news for first-time buyers and should be warmly...

Seanad: Nuclear Safety: Motion. (2 Jul 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister and the Government motion. I commend the Minister on the work he has put into this task. Since assuming office, he has been working step by step through the machinery available in legal international fora to bring about the ultimate objective, the closure of the plant at Sellafield. In the context of that work, I commend the Minister for the pro tem order referred to in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join Senator Ulick Burke in calling on the Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss the issues which have been brought to the courts by him. These are emotive issues. The issue of disability is always a sensitive one. There are balance of rights issues involved here which have legal and constitutional implications. We all acknowledge, and the...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome this ambitious and challenging reform programme which he, with the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and the Department have set before us. It represents a huge challenge to address serious ongoing problems in the health service despite the phenomenal investment in recent years. Some commentators such as Colm Rapple...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I merely wanted to talk about the bedside manner, but they took extreme umbrage at my remarks. What umbrage will they take now that the Minister, Deputy Martin, is intent on dealing with the issue of their contracts? It may prove to be a more formidable challenge than those he has previously tackled.

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris. He requested that I give him the last minute of my time.

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I support the amendment to the motion. Some fundamental and valid questions have been raised by Senator O'Toole. I do not claim to have the answers but would make one suggestion. Given the questions he raised, it appears that he has lost faith in the structures in place. I would be one of the first to concede that there are serious faults in them. During recent events in Iraq, when criticisms...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I support Senator Ulick Burke's request for the Minister for Education and Science to come into the House to enlighten us about the two issues which seem to have caused confusion among the public. The first relates to St. Mary's school for visually impaired girls. We all agree that if such a facility was not available even for six pupils, as is the case currently, it would be unsatisfactory....

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Those are the facts which will stand up to scrutiny.