Results 1,381-1,400 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: I apologise. It is being taken this week. We should consider this matter. The classification of some schools as disadvantaged puts so-called advantaged schools at a disadvantage. This is borne out in the special needs assistants area. Can we discuss again the issue of the first-time buyer's grant early in the next term and the need to raise the current threshold applying to stamp duty? The...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is a little like a meeting of the Clare persons' association in the Chamber this evening. I am a second generation Clare person. The phrase "A lot done, more to do" is applicable in the area of special needs. The announcement in the past few days by the Department of Education and Science regarding the specific allocations of special needs assistants is incredible. The Department had that...

Seanad: Election Management System. (1 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: This matter concerns the boundaries for the local elections due to be held in 2009, of which I hope a review will be carried out. Although Carlow is the second smallest county I want to list some examples of the daftness of the current system. The first case I want to highlight concerns Ballon, in Carlow, a very small village which finds itself divided in half. One half is in the Tullow...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Fergal Browne: Last Tuesday I raised the issue of special needs assistants for schools. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science to the House to clarify whether students who are currently receiving special needs assistance will receive the same service in the next school year and for the remainder of the school term. There seems to be confusion in that regard. I am aware of some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I agree with previous speakers that we should have a debate before the recess, while the elections are still fresh in our minds, on No. 18 of the non-Government motions on the Order Paper which refers to registration for elections. I am aware of a couple who were taken off the register without receiving written notification. They were very unimpressed when they went to vote on election day. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I join in congratulating all those who contested the elections. The bravest thing any person can do is put their name on a ballot paper. Those involved deserve our congratulations on taking part in the democratic process. It is encouraging that voter turnout has increased, something which upset the trend in recent elections. As a person who took part in the election, I learned a great deal...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I ask that the Minister with responsibility for energy come into the House to debate possible energy alternatives to oil. We realise how vulnerable is the world economy when problems occur in Saudi Arabia and oil prices increase. I am particularly mindful of people involved in the transport sector who have been hard hit of late. Such price increases coupled with the changes in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: ——we should have a debate on the FARC rebels' record of terrorism and that of other terrorist groups. The one lesson we have learned is that violence leads to further violence. Therefore, we cannot be soft in any way on terrorism.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I would like to raise the simple matter of the excellent educational facility offered at the Presentation College secondary school at Askea in Carlow town. The excellence of the facilities is not matched by the level of expertise and care given to the students, unfortunately. The school is at stage 5 of the planning process,...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: They are certainly very proactive in counties Longford and Carlow.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Both points are factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Senator should speak about his own policy. What is the Fianna Fáil policy?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We are not opposed to it. That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Cleaning up the mess from Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: They were different times.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We did not oppose it tonight. That is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: We never opposed it.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: What is the Fianna Fáil position on decentralisation?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Fergal Browne: Is the Senator guaranteeing that 10,000 people will decentralise?