Results 1,401-1,420 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

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

Fergal Browne: Nobody opposes decentralising the decision-making process.

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

Fergal Browne: What about my good self? Where do I feature?

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

Fergal Browne: The only one.

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

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister. I reassure Senator Dardis that Fine Gael's position on this matter is very clear. We support the principle of decentralisation. However, the Government's handling, or mishandling, of it does not fill us with confidence. The last time the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, spoke on decentralisation in this House, before it was announced, he...

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

Fergal Browne: It was included in the speech, which I remember reading. It said that Carlow was to get 350 jobs and that 250 were wanted at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It was a significant issue, and it was on the front page of The Irish Times a few weeks later. Senator Dardis should be questioning his Government colleagues. It is remarkable that there is currently only one Fianna...

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

Fergal Browne: I accept that he has an excellent background, but it is an indication that perhaps Fianna Fáil is not 100% behind this.

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

Fergal Browne: Three of our Senators have contributed so far. The Fianna Fáil Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, Deputy Fleming, first agreed to a debate on the decentralisation process, then rowed back and would not allow a debate on progress though, with all due respect, that would have been a logical step for the committee. Now, suddenly, the Government is willing to...

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

Fergal Browne: I am amazed at Senator Mansergh's comment that public servants do not really have the right to question something. In a democracy, everyone has that right. People have a right to be consulted, and the sudden announcement of the decision, without consulting the main players, was a fundamental mistake. I query whether 10,000 civil servants can be moved. Would it not be more realistic to set an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: I ask that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government come to the House for a debate on voting registration. The obligation to go to a Garda station to register is a deterrent among certain people. In Carlow, only one fifth of the forms given out have been returned. In some rural areas it is next to impossible to find a garda in a Garda station. There will be a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: Yes, I am seeking a debate on this issue.

Seanad: Shooting Regulations. (26 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I ask that the ban on shooting on State lands be removed. I have no direct interest in that area but I believe everyone is entitled to fairness, no matter what group is represented. This Government has not been fair to the National Association of Regional Game Councils. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy...

Seanad: Shooting Regulations. (26 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: That report was discredited.

Seanad: Shooting Regulations. (26 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: Those who hunt also make a contribution.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: Last weekend in Carlow there was a gangland shooting. I had warned about such worrying developments in the House. It is time that we had a debate in the House on the availability of firearms and the failure by the Government to address the growing drug problem in the country and the need to provide extra resources to address this issue. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on it and request...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: ——has not worked.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: It has turned people off voting when we should be encouraging them to vote. In Carlow, 1,000 forms were distributed and only 200 returned.

Seanad: Financial Services Industry: Statements. (19 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister. He does not sound his best today; perhaps he reflects the state of banking in this country and the lack of public confidence in the system. I regret this issue is coming before the House today when, perhaps, debate is still ongoing in the Dáil. My colleague, Deputy Richard Bruton, has put forward amendments on the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of...

Seanad: Financial Services Industry: Statements. (19 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: What about the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Martin Cullen, and the electronic voting debacle? Should he resign?

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State. I am not too sure when we had the initial debate on this subject but I believe it was over a year ago. However, I deeply regret that little has changed in my county of Carlow in that time. It looks as if the planned autism units will not be up and running in Carlow this September. That will be another September and another school year gone even though there is...

Seanad: Ombudsman's Report: Statements. (5 May 2004)

Fergal Browne: Would it be possible for Members to be furnished with a list of the public bodies that are currently exempted, for reference? That might be of use.