Results 1,081-1,100 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State, his officials and all those involved in the preparation of the Bill. We have had difficulty with some aspects of it but, as Senator O'Meara observed, the principle of the Bill is quite sound. I thank the Leader for allowing a good deal of time to debate the legislation,——

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: ——especially in comparison to the other House. Perhaps if some Member of that House were as capable as the Leader, more time would have been allocated there.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps Deputy Cassidy will do a straight swap with the Leader.

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 3: In page 23, between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: "(3) On or before 31 January each year, the Executive shall lay before each House of the Oireachtas details of the advisers engaged or consulted during the preceding year along with details of the amount payable to such advisers.". This amendment arises from a recent announcement by the Minister for Health...

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

Fergal Browne: How many reports have been acted upon?

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 4 In page 25, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: "(c) the disclosure is made in the interests of public health,". This is an interesting amendment because it deals with a person not contravening section 26(1) by disclosing confidential information in the interests of the public. This would happen only in rare or exceptional circumstances but a person should...

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

Fergal Browne: Everyone in the House knows that if this measure goes ahead, we will still see reports in the newspapers. Unfortunately, they will be based on leaks that we will not be able to verify. This Government knows a great deal about leaks — perhaps more than some others. It is common sense to make drafts subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 so that they are public knowledge. Otherwise,...

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 6: In page 27, line 40, to delete "and".

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 7: In page 27, between lines 40 and 41, to insert the following: "(b) in a form which details the activities which are occurring and any proposed changes which are likely to arise in each local agency and each local hospital, and ". This amendment relates to progress reports on the implementation of the approved corporate plan. We want to include another subsection which...

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 9: In page 28, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: "(c) contain an accurate assessment of the assets held by the Executive, details of the number of employees, and shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within 90 days of its establishment,". This amendment deals with the preparation of a service plan which will be submitted to the Minister. It...

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

Fergal Browne: I think it was two years ago.

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 10: In page 30, line 41, after "Finance" to insert ", such figure having been laid before each House of the Oireachtas". This amendment relates to obtaining the Minister's permission for major capital expenditure. It also concerns overspending when a capital project may exceed its original budget. The amendment seeks not alone to lay that decision before the Houses of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: By 2036 we will have more than 1 million people over the age of 65. Given the Government's incompetence lately, it is vital to have a debate early in the new year to discuss policies for caring for the elderly and predicting in advance the impending difficulties that will arise from having such a huge ageing population. The Government's recent behaviour would not inspire confidence. Until...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Leader might indicate when it is planned to take the Bill to correct that mistake by the Government and what steps will be taken over a period of time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: I would be willing to sit next week because I would not trust the Government at this stage, and the more time we have the better.

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

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 2: In page 22, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: "22.—(1) Whenever required by the Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the chief executive officer of the Executive shall give evidence to...

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

Fergal Browne: I thought I was allowed to speak just once. The amendment seeks to clarify further the function and role of a person appearing before the Joint Committee on Health and Children. The Bill, as it stands, is quite vague in this regard. The amendment, which clearly states the matters that can be examined by the committee, has been proposed in the interests of full accountability, which should be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: My difficulty is not with its timing but with its content.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is right that we should consider the imposition of charges on old age pensioners in Christmas week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is not.