Results 841-860 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: That is outrageous.

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

Fergal Browne: He had been raising it for seven years and he was assured——

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister for Transport and his officials to this House. It is amazing that we are still discussing this issue in 2005. I was spokesman on transport for the first two years——

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: Most of the spokespersons on this subject have changed, as have the relevant Ministers. As Senator Finucane said, the recent Government announcement was game, set and match to Fianna Fáil. The Progressive Democrats, passengers and taxpayers were definite losers. In years to come, we will look back on this time as a missed opportunity. I have often been asked why Baldonnel was not considered...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: Taxpayers may be regarded as consumers. The Minister might change his opinion if he tried to get a new telephone line or to have a telephone pole removed. The bottom line is that the service to taxpayers and consumers has gone rapidly downhill since privatisation. I remind Senator Wilson that Fine Gael's record is proud in this area. As Minister for Transport in the mid-1980s, the late Deputy...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: Has Senator Dooley been in Dublin Airport lately?

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: We must examine the issue of how nursing homes are defined. Difficulties arise for those involved in their management because they are currently classified neither as commercial properties nor as hospitals. I brought a case to the attention of the House some months ago of a nursing home in Carlow which had a substation for a telecommunications company located in its premises. The nursing home...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: Does the Leader think it a good idea?

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: They keep increasing charges.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: My point is financial. They are increasing costs.

Seanad: Hospital Services. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I read a report in The Irish Times last week that the Minister for Health and Children will decide on capital projects for hospitals. That took me and others by surprise and one wonders why the Health Service Executive was established because it was meant to decide the hospitals that were allocated funding. The purpose of raising this matter on the Adjournment is simple. I want to remind the...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I look forward to the Minister of State's reply, which I hope will explain the reason the Minister is taking a hands-on approach to capital funding for hospitals. Why has she taken that responsibility away from the HSE and what steps will she take to guarantee equitable funding for hospitals throughout the country? That will ensure that areas like Carlow and Kilkenny will not be ignored...

Seanad: Report of National Task Force on Obesity: Statements. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: It is more likely that they cannot participate in such classes because there are no physical education halls.

Seanad: Report of National Task Force on Obesity: Statements. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. One could not describe his speech as obese, however; brevity is the soul of wit. This hopefully augurs well for much action on the part of Government on this important issue. Neither the Government nor legislators can be held responsible for people being obese which is a result of individual changes in lifestyle. The Government...

Seanad: Report of National Task Force on Obesity: Statements. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Government has a clear role in advertising and explaining the health risks of obesity, including diabetes, heart disease, increased levels of prostate cancer and problems with knees and hips because of the extra weight. It must also allocate funding to primary and secondary schools to promote sports at every opportunity. The Government must also ensure that people are properly educated in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I convey my deepest sympathies to the families affected by the dreadful crash yesterday. I agree with Senators Norris and Burke that there have been problems with school transport for years and this was an accident waiting to happen. Two other Members of this House, Senator Jim Higgins and former Senator Denis Naughten, also raised this issue consistently over the years. I was involved in a...

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (19 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, and his officials to the House. The life of a politician involves attending many funerals. There is nothing worse than attending a funeral of a person who has committed suicide. Unfortunately, we have had our fair share of these in Carlow recently, not only of young men but of young women. I...

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (19 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I thank Senator Ormonde for reminding me of that point. An exemplary system is in place in Cavan-Monaghan but unfortunately this is not replicated throughout the country but is something for which we must aim. I know of a hospital in the south east where the staff watched a patient around the clock for a week without proper facilities. We do not have the same facilities as Cavan-Monaghan in...

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (19 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: I said somebody attempts suicide every 45 minutes.

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (19 May 2005)

Fergal Browne: The journalist was entitled to her view.