Results 1,761-1,780 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader to bring to attention my concerns about the exclusion of gays and lesbians from the parade. This portrays the wrong image of Ireland. We are very proud of our equality legislation. The slogan, "Brits out of Ireland", was also used in the parade. This is not appropriate to the peace process.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Roman Catholic only organisation from which the Grand Marshal of the parade was selected.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader to bring this to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I hope it will promote an image of a more progressive and inclusive Ireland abroad.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I agree with previous speakers' calls for the Minister for Health and Children to come before the House to debate the leaked report of the task force on medical staffing, particularly in light of the news that major cuts are being announced in the Mater Hospital today. This is a worrying development which throws the health strategy into chaos. When the main hospital in Dublin is cutting jobs...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: Senator Ryan spoke about people going back to education and having a second chance. It is important to realise that some people do not even get a first chance in education. Will the Leader clarify when she plans to take the excellent motion by the Independent group, No. 12 on the Order Paper, which urges the Government to provide adequate occupational and speech therapy on an ongoing basis...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Leader should invite the Minister for Education and Science into the House for a debate on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It would be helpful to have a debate in the House on the teaching methods for children with autism.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: They were well rested from the night before.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: He is in the other House.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for being here a second time. He is acknowledged on this side of the House for his courtesy and manners in attending the continuation of the debate. I agree with Senator Jim Walsh's last point regarding councillors who are in office for years.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Leader of the House referred to the fact that she had got just £2.58 for her first few council meetings. There is no doubt that many councillors served for years on local authorities and got very little for it. It cost them dearly, both financially and in their family life. I am thinking of County Cork where councillors travel 100 miles from Castletownbere to attend county council meetings.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I was not aware of it until I embarked on the Seanad campaign.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It would be appropriate if something could be done for councillors who have given long public service. The words "public service" are very important. The amount involved is not important. What is important, however, is the fact that they should be acknowledged for their service during the years when there was no pay, very poor expenses and much inconvenience both to their family and personal...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: There were plenty of them. There is a system in place in Australia which we should consider. How we would implement it is another question, but I believe there would be cross-party support for it in the House. It would encourage people to vote and would explain why they should do so. In England, a turnout of 20% is expected in the forthcoming local elections. We might be more democratic if we...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: That is a generous gesture. The agendas are already available on websites, but I would be more interested in the outcomes of meetings. I would be interested to know what decisions were made. Why are city and county managers so keen to see Oireachtas Members off the councils? Do they perceive us as a threat because we have a fair idea about legislation passing through the Houses? Oireachtas...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I was thinking of my constituency colleague.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. As a child of the EU – I was born in 1973 – I wish to hear from him how he would make the EU relevant to my generation, members of which have grown up in the EU and do not know any life outside it. It remains a challenge for all of us, when we speak to people under 30 years of age, to explain what life was like before the EU and...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: No.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It is outrageous that we are debating the Bill at this hour. I ask the Leader to use her common sense.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Government side has stopped contributing to the debate.