Results 1,061-1,080 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 12: In page 5, lines 20 and 21, to delete "referred to in the definition of 'in patient services' in section 51". Question, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand", put and declared carried.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am deeply unhappy with some subsections in section 1, something that I have expressed through the amendments. I am aware that we are constrained in this House from making any amendment that might have a financial bearing. Our hands are tied in that respect. However, it has been drawn to my attention by Senator Ulick Burke and others that in subsection (5) it is declared that, subject to...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment. It is shocking that we would treat in such a shameful manner people who worked all their lives, paid their taxes, reared their families and made a contribution to society when life was not half as good as it is now. These people would have paid a high rate of tax, which Senator McHugh and I can barely imagine, while probably paying off a mortgage at an interest rate of...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I do not.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: Just some of it.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am sure he received and read the minutes of the meeting. There is no doubt there was poor management. The former Minister, Deputy Martin, allowed that situation to arise and he was the person with ultimate control of the Department. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has admitted that the letter that should have been received by the Attorney General last year was not sent. Why was...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: We never said that.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: By what action?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: We had no stealth taxes as we do now.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: Unlike now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I wish to be associated with the good wishes extended to the staff of the Houses and in particular to Mr. Paddy Behan who is retiring. I thank him for the courtesy he extended to me in my short time here, especially in arranging visits by school groups etc. He was always calm especially when I brought in a group on very busy day. That was much appreciated. I wish him and his family every...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: May we have copies of the Minister of State's speech?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House but it is unfortunate that the House is debating this Bill. Last September we were treated to the farcical illusions of Fianna Fáil suddenly rediscovering its soul as a sharing and caring Government and party of the people.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: The party was massacred in the local and European elections. That facade has certainly been blown off by this draconian measure. The Government is rushing through this legislation so that it can begin charging old-age pensioners in Christmas week. Scrooge is well and truly alive in the form of this Government.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: The manner in which the Bill is being rushed through the House is disgraceful. The blame game has begun. The only people who cannot be blamed are the pensioners over 70 or in long-term care in public nursing homes but the blame is being pointed in their direction. This is regrettable, reprehensible and despicable, especially in Christmas week and the season of so-called goodwill. The sharing...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: It should not be forgotten that only a year ago a similar debacle occurred when the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, wanted to restrict special entitlements for widows and widowers. The Government seems to have learned nothing from that debacle either. It is very worrying to see this trend continue. I question the genuineness of the Government's attitude to this...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: That is not true.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: As my colleague, Senator Bradford, has said and as I have learned in my two and a half years in the House, the world began in 1997. Senator Mansergh tells us so repeatedly. This is what we have learnt. Every utterance by Fianna Fáil Members begins with the phrase, "Since 1997".

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps the Minister of State's aunt will have some stories for which to answer when she speaks. The blame game has begun. The lack of accountability in this area is appalling. The Minister has released minutes of the meeting at which this issue was discussed but I contend that this is a consequence of Fine Gael's submission under the freedom of information legislation. There is no evidence...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: Yes.