Results 1,521-1,540 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

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

Fergal Browne: ——they say that this document contains little that is new. I have just had a telephone call regarding two planning permissions in County Carlow.

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

Fergal Browne: No. The reality is that this document will make no difference in such cases. Were it not for the Famine and ensuing emigration, our population would be approximately 21 million. We are unable to plan for a population of less than five million people. Senator McHugh raised some very valid points. Planning departments throughout the country are completely stretched. Why are they not receiving...

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

Fergal Browne: Senator Brennan is introducing new factors now. I am asking a straightforward question. Fianna Fáil is promoting this measure as if it will allow everyone to live in rural Ireland when it knows in reality that the same problems will exist. We all know we will get many telephone calls, as Senator McHugh and everyone else is getting, from people who have been refused in the past and who will...

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

Fergal Browne: That is the reality of the issue. I ask the Minister of State to investigate that case because if someone makes a planning application before the deadline but the council has a difficulty about which it informs the person at the last minute, it is unfair to push him into the new development levy period where he has to pay extra charges. That is totally unfair and in fairness to those on the...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Fine Gael welcomes this Bill and I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive speech which certainly cleared up some questions in my mind. This Bill was referred to the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny on 21 November last and then referred to the Joint Committee on European Affairs for further detailed scrutiny. The members of that...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is obviously an embarrassment for the Government to be back here only two years after the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 was enacted. A catalogue of mistakes were made in a straightforward Act, the first of which was the failure to notify. We are now back dealing with the Bill, some aspects of which amuse me. I do not agree with my colleagues about the idea of banning the retail sale of...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Neither are the people.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Not as much as the patients on the waiting lists.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I support the call for a debate on housing. It is worth noting that of the 60,000 houses built last year, some 30,000 were purchased by investors. When one considers that €0.75 billion was spent on tax relief, the manner in which first-time buyers have been forgotten is outrageous. The Minister for Finance hinted in this House that he would do something about mortgage interest relief for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am not impressed by the guidelines for the whole country because I do not believe that one glove fits all.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: It could actually restrict some local authorities that are doing good work in that respect, so I would add a word of caution to the proposal.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I need to ask a question of the Minister of State. In the Dáil, an amendment was put down previously to the effect that any decision about the future disposal of Aer Lingus would come before the Dáil.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: In fairness——

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: This is a factor in the voting. Will it come before the Seanad as well?

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: There are two Houses of Parliament. It is a major factor in our voting.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: That is the danger. Initially, the money invested in Aer Lingus came from taxpayers and we must ensure that taxpayers receive the return on their wise investment. An issue of concern relates to the share rights of employees leaving Aer Lingus between 1 December 2003 and 31 March 2004. As the Minister of State is aware, the ESOP arrangement presupposed the passage of the legislation through...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for a useful explanatory speech on a complex Bill. While I was an enthusiastic advocate of privatisation before I entered the House, I am lukewarm on the issue having witnessed the Eircom debacle. I have reason to be cautious as we are not being provided with a full picture or a master plan. While the contents of the Minister of State's speech are fine in theory,...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am sure he will be looked after.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Minister of State said the money raised through the privatisation of Aer Lingus would go back to the Exchequer. Can he indicate where the money will end up? Ultimately, that is the $1 million question. Where is the guarantee the money will be used for the right causes?

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: The Minister for Transport has not responded to my letter of a year ago.