Results 1,501-1,520 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: There has been no proper financial scrutiny and no penalties have been applied. This needs to be examined. The same scenario applies to the Dublin Port tunnel and the construction of motorways. Individuals can be scrutinised over minor tax breaches, yet significant projects are not scrutinised properly. I wish to refer to an issue which highlights for what Fianna Fáil stands. Two weeks ago,...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister. I apologise for the absence of my colleague, Senator Higgins, who has asked me to deputise for him. Hopefully, I will be able to deliver a few political blows on his behalf, although that may be difficult. The Minister referred to the low tax base but it is important to point out that while we have one of the lowest levels of taxation in the EU as a percentage of our...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Basic personal tax credits have not been increased under the legislation. It relies heavily on increased charges and it has totally failed to reduce levies that are putting homes beyond the reach of first-time buyers. There is a complete absence of joined up thinking. The Minister is introducing property-based tax breaks, barely 12 months after he won public praise for his decision to...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: That figure was quoted recently. Even if it is only half right, it is still appalling.

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Senator White might be in the know and, if she has other information, I would be glad to get it from her. It is appalling that a major infrastructural project can go €600 million over budget.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am finished with that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Arising from the Tánaiste's decision concerning the need for a motorway or dual carriageway to the south-east and that a clear commitment was given before the last election by Senator Dardis that taxpayers' money would not be provided for a motorway, will he do the honourable thing by considering his position within the PDs and resigning? Senator Ryan spoke about values and it is important...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am seeking a debate on values, integrity and honesty.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank Senator O'Meara for sharing her time and welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. I wish to acknowledge the huge role played by gardaí. Recently a constituent of mine jumped into the river to rescue someone but the story never even made the newspapers. If, however, something goes wrong, it is on the front page. Gardaí risk their lives day in and out for the common good....

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: RTE will broadcast a documentary on President McAleese in the near future. That is inappropriate, particularly in view of the fact that this is an election year, because it gives an unfair advantage to one person.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: RTE has been very selective in what it has——

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps the Leader will communicate my concerns to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is grossly unfair, in an election year, for a candidate to be the subject of a documentary. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government why a ministerial order has not yet been signed in respect of the local elections? I have spoken to a few town clerks who informed me that they have not yet received such an order. They are not sure whether 11 June...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Will the referendum, if it proceeds on 11 June, be in the form of a paper ballot?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I also ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House in view of his recent statement about the onus on local authorities to zone land for schools. While he was correct to do so, there is an onus on the Department to work with the local authorities and guarantee that if land is zoned for schools, they will be built. I would also like to hear the...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I accept the Government amendments. I noticed a problem with that point yesterday and asked my colleagues to look at it. We then received the Government amendment which I could not have matched but I am glad to have spotted the difficulty there. In the case of annulment of a marriage if, for example, a man who had obtained a State annulment was killed in a car accident would his former wife...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is important to look at this from the perspective of a marriage that has been annulled. Probably neither party would wish to see an ex-spouse benefiting in the future through the other's death or injury. Some specify in their wills that they do not want the previous spouse to receive any benefit. One's spouse can be entitled to one's pension and...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I was referring essentially to the case of a childless couple with no dependants where the marriage had broken down very quickly. Obviously in cases involving dependants, they must be provided for.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank everybody involved in the Bill. This time last week, I knew nothing about international conventions on air navigation and transport. I know considerably more now. I thank the departmental officials for the briefing they gave me. I also thank my researchers and the Minister who gave a very comprehensive speech yesterday. The Bill gives people the option of taking legal action in their...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I wish to share time with Senator Finucane. I was not impressed with the Minister's attitude earlier and with his refusal to listen to Members on this side of the House. Fine Gael is not against one-off housing. It is against the cynical con job by the Minister and the Government on rural housing. This document contains nothing new. Having spoken to planners — they are not members of Fine...