Results 1,581-1,600 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

Fergal Browne: Last week, the CSO published figures for relative incomes per county and region. This information dispelled the myth of the rich south-east. The figure for relative incomes in County Carlow was below those for many, if not all, of the counties in the BMW region. I ask the Leader to make time available for a debate on this issue in order that we might rectify the disparity that exists in terms...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Fergal Browne: Last weekend 40 jobs were lost in Carlow while today a further 60 jobs have gone. Some 50 jobs are also to be lost in south Kilkenny. This is not good news for the families concerned four weeks before Christmas. Will the leader invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to the House to ask her about her Department's plans to put pressure on the IDA...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader—

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2003)

Fergal Browne: Will the Leader discuss the matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform? It is despicable. Members of the House are very much in favour of the penalty points system which has helped to reduce road deaths and we do not wish to see anybody breaking the law and profiteering from setting a bad example.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: The National Roads Authority is due to have a board meeting on 9 December about the roads project for the year. It might be fitting if we could debate the issue in the House next week with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan. He has spoken about plans to fast-track the Cork-Galway motorway but he has not indicated how this will be done. We need to know which projects will be shelved in...

Seanad: Address by Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, MEP. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome Ms Scallon to the House. I admire her because she has convictions and beliefs and sticks by them. That is refreshing in comparison with the Government whose members express different opinions and beliefs. This is reflected in the recent remarks by Deputy Andrews when he described himself as a dissident because he agrees with Government policy. Ms Scallon should be commended for her...

Seanad: Address by Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP to the House, as a fellow Leinster person. I thank her not just for all the work she has done for the Leinster constituency, but for the entire country. I wish her every success in her retirement, although I am not sure I should use that word, but rather refer to the next phase of her life. I know Mary Banotti has difficulties with that word. I wish her well in...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister even if it is an embarrassing occasion for him, given his failure to spot this glitch in the legislation. However, we will support this measure to rectify the problem. The Minister needs to get the finger out, as somebody else recently advised him, and this proves it.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Minister has admitted that random breath testing will be introduced next year but it was indicated that it would be introduced much sooner. At this time of the year one plans where one will go for Christmas dinner. With all due respect to the Minister, if he invited me to his house on Christmas Day, I doubt that I would go. I would be terrified of getting food poisoning. The dinner, like...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I might go for a drink but not for food.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: On a serious note, Fine Gael welcomes this measure and will support it. We have not put down any amendments to ensure it is passed speedily. The Minister said that 30% of all fatal accidents occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Is it productive to have television advertisements showing the disastrous effects of drink driving? They cost large amounts of money but are they effective? Would it not be...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I congratulate the Minister on his successful passage of the legislation today. He was correct to strike first before anyone spotted a loophole in the Bill and he should be commended for that. He might look in the future at the delay between people being caught and given penalty points and being issued with the notice. This can take five to six weeks which is grossly unfair. All the points...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Programme. (27 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. My request is simple. Presentation College secondary school in Carlow is awaiting word on a proposed extension. There are 650 pupils in this excellent school and it offers a comprehensive set of educational programmes through junior cycle, transition year, the traditional leaving certificate, the leaving certificate vocational programme and the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I support Senator Brian Hayes in urging the Minister for Transport to get the finger out, as he was advised previously by his eminent predecessor. He is coming back to the House tomorrow yet again to make changes after the event, instead of making adequate provision beforehand. He went on a solo run with the stilts project at the Red Cow roundabout even though the RPA and the NRA said there...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (26 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann: –recognising the tremendous success of Ireland's Overseas Development Aid Programme; –noting the promise made by the Taoiseach to increase ODA to 0.7% of GNP by 2007; –condemns the Government for the failure to make any progress towards this target." I welcome the Minister of State....

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (26 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: Not necessarily.

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (26 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: Does the Taoiseach have three more years?

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: I agree with my colleagues about the Stability and Growth Pact. What is happening is amazing when one considers the countries involved have breached the terms of the pact three years running. This is not the way business should be done, especially in the context of recent reports about the huge level of fraud taking place in Europe involving Structural Funds. We need to restore public...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: We heard during the week about changes in the penalty points system for motorists using mobile phones, which is welcome. We have been successful in highlighting the drink driving problem, but we are totally ignoring driving by people under the influence of drugs. I am aware that the UK is introducing "drugaliser" tests next year. Startling statistics indicate that 15% of fatal car crashes in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2003)

Fergal Browne: Senator Ryan, I apologise.