Results 921-940 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: One of the Government Senators admitted Ireland is one of the richest countries in the EU. However, it has the second highest class size in Europe. I have no doubt that we will hear much hypocrisy next weekend from Government Senators and Deputies as they visit the teacher unions' conferences.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: They will nod their heads, agree with the delegates and yet do nothing afterwards.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Leader should invite the Minister for Education and Science to come before the House following the recess in order that we might engage in a proper debate about class sizes and funding. I agree with Senator White about schools being forced to fund-raise. I recently heard about a school in Mayo which has four teachers and which is expected to raise in excess of €100,000 in order to...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I did not say that.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Let us be fair. I never said that. I said it is unfair that children do not have medical cards.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I would like to clarify a point. It is disingenuous of the Minister and Senator Glynn to twist what I was saying.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: If they listen for a change, they might hear what I am saying. I do not think anyone in the House could justify giving a medical card to a multimillionaire in his 70s while a woman with four or five children, two or three of whom could be regularly sick or have a recurring condition, does not get a medical card. That was the point I was making. We now know that when the medical card was given...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Is the Minister aware of any plans to review the GP-only cards or could negotiations be held with the Department of Education and Science on the proposal that a medical cardholder would be exempt from paying exam fees, for example? Is this policy rigidly stuck to GP-only cards or is it open to review, for instance a possible extension over time to include optical, dental or other costs?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "(4) The Minister shall issue guidelines detailing the criteria which shall be used when an assessment of 'unduly burdensome' under this section is being made under this section.". We must have clarity on this issue. The term "unduly burdensome" is open to interpretation and it is in everyone's interest to...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their courtesy. Unfortunately, we have a great deal of experience of Health (Amendment) Bills in the House. It is amusing that the Government tabled an early signature motion on the legislation. I hope the President signs it into law, as requested. I also hope we have learned from past mistakes as it is depressing that the people have given...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Would it be in order to wish the Minister of State's brother good luck in the by-election tomorrow? Perhaps we will have the two Powers in the Dáil next Monday.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Senator should not be trying to draw me into a dispute while I am in the Chair.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The Senator should look at page 158, paragraph 5 of the report.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Health Act 1970 is amended by inserting the following new section after section 44, but in Part IV— '44A.—Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a statement of strategy detailing its plans for the funding of the care of...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I expected that reply from the Minister of State. What is the position regarding elderly people who have been taken out of institutions and are now living in houses provided by health boards or the Health Service Executive? Will they have to pay rent? That is another issue arising on the doorsteps. If the Minister of State cannot answer now, he might do so later.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I have been let down.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: The measure in section 1 regarding the spouse's income could fly in the face of equality legislation. Senator Henry's point regarding separated couples is relevant. What drives us all mad on both sides of the House is when a Member advises someone about getting a medical card, the person is either accepted or turned down, and then a similar case arises which attracts a different decision. I...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(d) paragraph (b) shall stand repealed on 1 March 2010.". Fine Gael is in favour of the GP-only medical cards but only as an interim measure. On this side of the House, we propose the insertion of a time limit of 2010 because we fear the Government plans to make this a longer-term option. The only benefit...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I was amused by the Tánaiste's assertion in the House on 23 February 2005 that the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, would not be found guilty. The Tanáiste and, I think, Senator Minihan, were reacting to a comment I made about the possible findings of the Travers report. I asked the Tánaiste how she could be so emphatic in advance of the report's publication. I...