Results 1,741-1,760 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Fergal Browne: He did not do it last year.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Fergal Browne: That is not happening.

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Fergal Browne: I am a non-smoker. I have never enjoyed smoking and could be categorised as an anti-smoker. However, even I realise that smokers have rights. My concern with the proposed smoking ban centres on the question of enforcement. The penalty points system was introduced before Christmas and is encountering problems with regard to enforcement. Will the Minister outline how the proposed smoking ban...

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Fergal Browne: That is debatable.

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Fergal Browne: Cigarette vending machines in pubs could become redundant, which is a cause of concern to those who have invested heavily in them. The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation made a recent submission regarding the hardship imposed on its members following deregulation. Similar hardship could be imposed on those involved in the supply of cigarette vending machines. The Minister of State should consider...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader of the House to invite the Minister for Transport to come to the House, if he remembers where we are, in the next term. It is a disgrace that he has not been here once in the second term and was only here once in the first term. We need to debate the issue of the driving test and the huge failure rate. A total of 1,400 fail the test every week. There are also wide variations...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: He has been saying that for six years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: Will Deputy McGuinness be expelled?

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: This war is already taking longer than originally planned. We were led to believe that it was going to be over very quickly, but the timescale has now changed completely and both the British and American media are saying it could continue for an awfully long time. There is much more involved than appeared to be the case initially. It is frightening to think that 120,000 extra troops are on...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: It is hard to know what is the position. We saw horrific images of the innocent victims of war last night. The only way we can justify this war is by having Saddam removed. All we can hope for is a quick and speedy conclusion to this war. I share Senator Minihan's view of people who support war, but we need war every so often to remove evil tyrants like Saddam Hussein. I thank the Acting...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: I seek an urgent debate on the Aer Rianta proposal to build a new pier at Dublin Airport when there may be a second terminal. I am aware the Leader is a distinguished former Minister with responsibility for this area. A debate on Mr. Michael O'Leary's comments last week to the Joint Committee on Transport and the remarks of Mr. Noel O'Hanlon, chairman of Aer Rianta, would be beneficial. It...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (1 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: I wish to raise the situation in Bennekerry national school. This school expected to be included in this year's round of schools building projects and there was dismay to find out it is not. That dismay was compounded when it discovered it is not even being considered for temporary accommodation although, since that discovery, the Department of Education and Science has climbed down to an...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Schools Building Projects. (1 Apr 2003)

Fergal Browne: I am disgusted with that response. I will not even give it to the school involved. It is an absolute disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator Bannon in regard to "Oireachtas Report". Its transmission time should be brought forward because it only suits night owls or insomniacs to watch it at present. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on transport in light of the controversial comments made by Mr. Michael O'Leary of Ryanair regarding Aer Rianta and in view of the fact that he stated clearly that there is no...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I wish to share my time with Senator Ulick Burke, by agreement.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I am delighted to speak on this motion. I regret that the Government has learned nothing from the fiascos experienced lately in the health services. The Minister still talks of a record level of funding. Money is neither the solution nor the problem. The Government has quadrupled spending on health recently but the necessary result, drastic reform of the health services, has not been achieved.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I would love to see all the reports. I know the Minister has a background as a barrister and is well able to read. Even so, there is no way anybody could get through them all. Politicians are here to cut through the red tape and reports and take action on different topics. Prior to August 2002, the threshold for the drugs refund scheme allowed people to claim back any costs over €90 per...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: How many could be treated in doctors' surgeries if they had medical cards?

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I support the Fine Gael stance on this war. It is important to point to a few differences between the 1991 war and the current scenario. The main difference is that in 1991 Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait which he has not done on this occasion. Also that war had the backing of a Security Council resolution. The Fine Gael Party was keen to support the use of Shannon at that juncture. However, we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I recently attended the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York and compliment all those involved. Many other Members also attended.