Results 961-980 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

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

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Tánaiste and her officials to the House. I am sure that on the eve of her birthday she did not plan for this to be on her agenda.

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

Fergal Browne: I am sure she had other plans for parties and cakes but, unfortunately, this matter came to dominate. We have debated this matter at length in this House and I thank the Leader for organising those debates. There are many worrying aspects to the matter. The Travers report is very good but I question if it is a complete report. Fergal Bowers thought he had the original folder but it now...

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

Fergal Browne: In the report, as published, civil servants received a fair share of criticism and probably correctly so. However, politicians should also take responsibility. Ministers have many perks and bonuses but holding office also entails major responsibility. We have clearly seen that Ministers did not take responsibility for their own Department. I include the two former Ministers of State at the...

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

Fergal Browne: I did read the report.

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

Fergal Browne: If the Senator will give me a moment, I believe it is on page 54.

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

Fergal Browne: I have been debating this issue for longer than Senator Minihan.

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

Fergal Browne: I believe it is on page 54, if I can locate the reference. My recollection is, and I can find the exact details later——

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

Fergal Browne: Mr. Travers indicates that there is a conflict of evidence between the two.

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

Fergal Browne: He indicated that it was unsubstantiated. However, in reality, just because one person can remember something when another person cannot, does not mean it did not happen. A person clearly remembers seeing a folder on the table while another person does not. That is in the report.

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

Fergal Browne: I will return to this issue. I have it in my notes.

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

Fergal Browne: Perhaps we will have time to discuss it later. I will provide it to Senator Finucane when he is making his contribution.

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

Fergal Browne: In the Dáil, the Minister stated that the issue was dealt with in detail at the meeting of 16 December 2003. The Travers report states that the issue was dealt with rapidly. This is a clear contrast and the Tánaiste should clarify that point.

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

Fergal Browne: A point that seems to be lost on the current Tánaiste and other Ministers is that when one succeeds somebody in a Department, one is responsible for the other Minister's actions.

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

Fergal Browne: For example, if the Department of Health and Children is being sued the case still proceeds if the Minister changes. That element appears to have been forgotten by this Government. There is a certain amount of responsibility. The contrast in the handling of the issue by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children with the mishandling of the issue by her predecessor, is very stark. When...

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

Fergal Browne: Speaking in the Dáil on 26 November 1996, Deputy Martin stated: From the findings of the Cromien inquiry, it is clear that no-one is taking responsibility for the sordid nature of this debacle. It seems that civil servants must take the fall for political failure and negligence on the part of the Minister, the Attorney General and others. That is happening again in this case.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: On a point of information, Garret FitzGerald had planned to move on that issue.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: After he heard that Fine Gael was planning to do so.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Why is the Government cutting home help?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: Unlike her predecessor, Deputy Martin.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. I am not sure what the Minister of State's job was before he became a Deputy. However, I suspect after listening to him that he was involved in the building industry. He would certainly have a future as a plasterer because he has plastered over huge cracks in the Government's health policy as if they did not exist and as if all the problems...