Results 1,561-1,580 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: The B.Ed. degree consists of education and arts elements. While one may have qualified with a B.Ed. degree including, for example, French, the arts content would only account for, at best, an exception for a first year arts course at UCD. A person with a B.Ed. degree in French from St. Patrick's College who wishes to do a pure French degree in university must go back into second year. The...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: How does the six-month ruling apply, for example, to people who go to Australia? Normally people go to Australia for a year. How will they be fixed when they come back? Why is a period of six months specified? For example, if a teacher who has not been granted a career break or leave of absence goes to Australia for a year, what will happen when he or she comes back?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: Does the Minister agree that people who go to Australia usually go for a full year? Things have changed dramatically since the time, years ago, when people emigrated because they had no other option. Now they make a choice to go. I am concerned about this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: Will the Leader ascertain the current position of the discussion document on regional boundaries for new health boards currently before the interim health services executive? Will she arrange for a debate on the issue in the coming weeks?

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: I will not rehash the arguments in this debate except to say that I too have grave concerns at the reported changes in the distribution of dormant bank account funds. The money is there because people have passed away. It does not belong to the Fianna Fáil Party to share out among Fianna Fáil projects. It belongs to the taxpayers and everyone in the country to benefit from the projects....

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: I do not agree with the Minister and the other Members with regard to this Bill which in my view is a disaster. The idea of removing the cap on the retirement age is good for those who wish to remain in public service but forcing people to work until they are 65 is outrageous and a completely retrograde step. This is particularly the case for the teaching profession where people will be...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: This week there was great confusion among the public on this matter. I do not understand why the Government is compelling people to stay. The public service must be made attractive to people and they should be allowed to leave it if they so wish. Making someone stay in a job for 44 years is not the way to do it. Public service employees should have the option of getting out early. There has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: I concur with the previous speakers about traffic safety. Obviously, we must await the results of the inquiries into the tragic accident last Saturday but I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport to come to the House to discuss road safety, particularly the problem of overcrowding on buses. People get buses from Heuston Station after their train journey and the buses are...

Seanad: Teacher Training Colleges. (12 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: In the 1980s, too many teachers were being trained in colleges when there were not enough jobs and the number of places in teacher training colleges was cut back. At this time, Carysfort college was also closed — possibly wrongly with the benefit of hindsight. In the 1990s, far too few teachers were being trained. The Department of Education and Science has an unusual way of working....

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: Last year we had an excellent debate on autism. At the time, the Leader promised to resume the debate as numerous Senators had indicated they wanted to speak. I ask her to schedule this in the coming weeks.

Seanad: Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (4 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: The blame for this fiasco lies squarely at the feet of the Government parties, the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. Their mishandling of the whole affair and lack of co-operation was referred to in Ms Justice Laffoy's interim report which stated that it had to be observed that, in general, the Department, as respondent to the vast majority of allegations which the committee is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2004)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader that if the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is coming to the House, his attention be drawn to the fact that the management of U2 intends to invoke a rarely used provision in the Planning and Development Act 2000 whereby taxpayers will pay for their failed appeal to An Bord Pleanála on the compulsory purchase of their studio at Hanover Quay. That...

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State. I support the motion. Dr. Mansergh said employment is not rising but he would find the most recent figures from the CSO dreary reading. Every employment exchange in my constituency of Carlow, in Tullow, Bagenalstown and Carlow, has shown marked increases in numbers of clients. There are only 200 extra people in the Carlow exchange but that is a big percentage...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is six years late.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: He means error more than trial.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: In the last session, there was a good debate on the report compiled by Senator O'Meara on the BCI and the issuing of radio broadcasting licences. However, counties Carlow and Kilkenny face the prospect of having no local radio station from now until May or June. It is outrageous that there will be no local radio station for people to vent views that are important in the run-up to the local...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: I praise the Department for its wisdom in applying the plastic bag tax. I was recently in Northern Ireland and other countries and the highly visible presence of discarded plastic bags is one of the first things I noticed. Whoever came up with the idea of this tax deserves to be congratulated as it has added greatly to the appearance of our country. I support this Bill. However, given the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am sure other Members, including Senator Brennan who has strong views on this matter, agree with me. The Water Services Bill updates old and inadequate legislation and must be welcomed. I have grave concerns about the Minister's ideas on one-off housing in rural areas. This will have severe implications for water supplies. County Carlow has a good planning policy that it is fair and...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: Especially in politics.

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: Ó 1957 nuair a shínigh na céad bhall stáit Conradh na Róimhe, agus nuair a shínigh gach tír eile conradh aontachais ó shin, thug siad a dteangacha isteach leo, ach amháin Éire, mar theangacha oifigiúla de chuid an Aontas Eorpaigh. Sa bhliain 1972, chinnigh an Rialtas an Ghaeilge a fhágáil ar lár i bpobal faoi mhíbhuntáiste suntasach — rud náireach. Is féidir, áfach, agus...