Results 1,301-1,320 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Report of Strategic Task Force on Alcohol: Statements. (27 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. It is good to have a discussion on alcohol and it is time to have a mature debate on it. There was much hysteria about banning alcohol and people being in bed by 10 p.m. This may sound great as a possible solution but it will not work. I am very encouraged by groups such as the Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society because that...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (21 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I wish to be associated with those comments. I was not aware that the Minister of State, Deputy O'Keeffe, is a former Member of the House but I wish him well in his new job. Two years ago I knew very little about the Seanad. I am certainly much wiser now, having been a Member of the House for that period. I suppose my knowledge reflects that of the general public, who ultimately know little...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: On the earlier point on the transfer of long-term patients from accident and emergency units to nursing homes, can the Minister for Health and Children be invited to the House to clarify how this will work in practice? Is she trying to increase the level of subvention for nursing homes considering that the current level presents a real problem? There is a great need for more step-down and...

Seanad: Children Act 2001: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him on his reappointment. There is no real disagreement on this important topic. The points raised are universal. There is a need for greater psychiatric care for troubled children. The recent case of a child being murdered for his mobile telephone proved that point. There was perhaps a psychiatric difficulty. It is vital...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I support Senator McHugh's comment on the new health authority areas. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health and Children to come back to the House following her impressive performance last night to outline to us what will be the arrangement in terms of staffing for the four new health authorities as compared to the previous 11 health boards and if there will be job losses. This is a...

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Senator should be realistic. How many families fall into those categories?

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: A Chathaoirligh, may we have copies of the Minister's script?

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: We normally get copies of it.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. His appointment was welcomed in Kildare although it is a point of contention that we in Carlow-Kilkenny got no Minister. However, it is the new Minister's moment of glory and I wish him well in his new job. I hope he will not forget about Carlow. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on wireless technology and the move by telephone companies to install tiny antennae on buildings such as nursing homes. It is a growing issue as more data is now transferred through wireless technology. The Minister for Communications,...

Seanad: Disabled Drivers. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: This matter is straightforward. I am requesting that permits given to people for disabled parking should be extended to include parents of children with autism or Asperger's syndrome. Disabled parking spaces are invariably underutilised. Parents with autistic children have requested that I raise this issue at a national level.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the new Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House. I spent the last week in Carlow at the ploughing championships and she was mobbed by people in the Department's stand. Her appointment received a mixed reaction from people in the Fine Gael tent. The fact that she is from Donegal was of concern to people from the south east. However, I am sure she will rise to the occasion and...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is great to see a fresh face in the Department. While Senator Callanan might sing the praises of the former Minister, Deputy Walsh, who did some good work, unfortunately he also made mistakes and did not do the work we hoped he would do. I hope a fresh face and the caring image of Fianna Fáil following the meeting in Inchydoney will mean significant changes in the next year or two. I will...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am merely making a point.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: The solicitors will not be happy. The main thrust of the Bill is welcome. The purchase and registration of land is far too complicated. I was amazed to learn recently of a person in County Carlow who went to Australia where he is now building houses. Everything there can be done so quickly and without the assistance of a solicitor. This person received planning permission to build a swimming...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: I also call on the Leader to ask the new Minister for Transport to come to the House to make a clear statement on the future of Aer Lingus and to state whether he will be receptive at a future date to a management or management-employee buy-out. There is an onus on him to ensure taxpayers and staff at Aer Lingus know where they stand. I understand staff at Aer Lingus are demoralised and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: Or Eircom.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: The limit of €317 on the back to school allowance has been in place for 11 years and it should be adjusted immediately. I was amazed to find out that there was a €4 million underspend in that area. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs should be called to the House to confirm an increase in that limit so families can benefit from this payment. It is ridiculous that it is so low.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Fergal Browne: A pub in Galway was fined €7,000 this week. While the proprietor might have deserved a fine, questions could be asked about its fairness. People are getting away with assaults in our streets but this pub has been severely punished. This House should debate over-regulation.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 43: In page 16, subsection (12), line 31, to delete "(4)" and substitute "(3)".