Results 401-420 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: We are awaiting further orders.

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 12. (9 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I am anxious to clarify certain issues. This is similar to points that have been raised throughout the debate on the Bill and in regard to other amendments. I do not agree with the amendment. This is consistent with what I said earlier. It is all to do with where one is now and where one wants to go. As I see it, the core and spirit of the Bill is partnership – reaching out and embracing...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join Senators Brian Hayes and Dardis in welcoming the talks in Northern Ireland. I agree that the two issues involved, to which the Senators have referred, should be separated. It is the patriotic duty of the Taoiseach and all democratically elected politicians to embrace warmly every opportunity to advance the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and, I hope, look forward to the restoration...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Yes, I am. A constitutional referendum would be very effective in addressing the need for more housing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I join others in commending the Garda Síochána for the tremendous restraint they exercised last night. I spoke to a number of Members who, when trying to exit the front gate, found the protesters extremely intimidating. I cannot speak personally about that matter. It is my view and that of others that there seem to be subversive elements frequenting protests which otherwise would be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: There still seems to be rampant amnesia on the Opposition benches about the phenomenal contribution of the Government over the last five or six years to promoting educational opportunity among the disadvantaged. I join others in calling for a debate on the issue in order that we can remind Members of the huge initiatives taken over the past five and a half years to promote educational...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I listened with interest to the last remarks of Senator McDowell who has been very prominent in the area of finance. I was disappointed, notwithstanding the important projects he identified across different sectors, that he did not identify where the funding would come from. I can only assume he is proposing borrowing in these circumstances....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Yes. I am an avowed supporter of the current Minister's overall strategy for a low tax regime with minimum borrowing. I say that unapologetically. The past five years of progress in this country are the strongest possible testimony to the success of his philosophy, vision and overall approach as Minister for Finance. The Finance Bill is further evidence of the determination of the Minister to...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Will the Senator name the pubs that are half full?

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Senator Quinn made reference to Mr. Dorgan of the IDA. Does the Leader agree that the Department has responded in great detail by way of consideration of the report referred to by the Senator? In a sense it might have welcomed Mr. Dorgan's remarks. There is an acknowledgement in the Department that some cages need to be rattled, including some professional bodies, when it comes to the...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Deputy John Bruton's frankness today is most refreshing. I compliment the Leader on her initiative in inviting the Deputy, Mr. De Rossa and the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to come before the Seanad. If Senators are to address the problem of the democratic deficit, this is one of the ways of doing it. When the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, came before the House, I highlighted the fact...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: It strikes me that the kind of sentiment I hear in Dublin City Council in relation to the powers of councillors is being perpetuated here. Senator O'Meara has confirmed that North Tipperary County Council is no different from Dublin City Council. I fully support the Minister for the Environment and Local Government's plans for local government reform. Councillors have to be constantly...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is a sad reflection on the Labour Party that its councillors on Dublin City Council and North Tipperary County Council want more and more powers but without an accompanying increase in responsibility.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The Labour Party leadership on Dublin City Council has had only one ambition in relation to the council since 1999 – to bring it down on the issue of charges. The councillors in question do not want to accept responsibility. I welcome more power and more responsibility for councillors as part of meaningful reform.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: The power of councillors which has been discussed is at the heart of the issue. I encourage the Minister who does not need much encouragement to continue to reform the local authorities. I acknowledge the need, mentioned in this section of the Bill, to separate powers while retaining strong links and I am confident that the Minister will do so by virtue of the assurances he has given.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I remind the House that the opinions of the Commission on the Status of Women were kept in mind when plans to separate powers were being drawn up. The commission's second report strongly recommended the abolition of the dual mandate on the basis that it would facilitate the entry into politics of more women. It seems Senator O'Meara is showing scant regard, respect or acknowledgement for the...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I hope they were not looking for more powers.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: Senator Tuffy should be cautioned by the unfortunate experience of one of her predecessors, Deputy Tully, whose proposal on fixing boundaries was popularly referred to as the "Tullymander". The issue of boundaries is very sensitive—

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: —for all parties and politicians. There is merit in part of what Senator Tuffy stated. I cannot remember exactly what she said on Second Stage, but if I interpreted her correctly she referred to what appeared to be an anomaly, namely, that a sitting councillor can contest an Oireachtas election without having to resign although the reverse cannot occur. If that is the intention of the...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Liam Fitzgerald: I referred to two aspects of this issue yesterday. First, I said I was opposed to the idea of a directly elected mayor and did not see evidence at any level of politics or community justifying it. Second, I said I was supportive of continuity for the chair. Senator Browne legitimately asked whether there was a conflict in what I had said. I suggest to him, through his colleague, that I do not...