Results 18,761-18,780 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I join the Leader in paying tribute to the former Senator, Mr. Willie Farrell. Members will pay tribute to him at a future date, to be decided by the Leader, when his family can be present. We join the expression of sympathy by the Leader of the House on his passing. We spent a great deal of time yesterday discussing the banking situation and I wish to return to that subject. Today, we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why is this happening? New information is emerging almost daily that shows the Government's policy is not being implemented. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House and deal with the specific issue of top-up payments, pension payments and excessive awards being made to bankers on a recurring basis. The Minister should also...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is disgust among the public about this. It is not enough to have general statements in the Dáil. I seek a discussion in this House about why this is happening, whether it can be prevented, the role of the public interest directors, and when action will be taken. As I said yesterday, the inequality in this regard is unacceptable in a democracy. We cannot continue to let the bankers...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fianna Fáil could do with a bit of listening now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. Question, "That the Order of Business be agreed to", put and declared carried.

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the information which has just been made available to the House, namely, that the Government will publish the heads of a Bill on this issue before the summer recess. We in this House must ensure this happens. We have had promises before, and we have to ensure the heads of the Bill come to the Seanad before the summer recess and that we see the Bill within six months. That is to be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: In recent days more and more facts are emerging about the way the banks have been run. We need a debate in the House on the issue. I, therefore, propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance come to the House today to update us on banking policy. The ordinary person is absolutely furious about the information which is emerging and the Government which is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The agenda was out; that is nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We did not take them off the top of our heads. The figures were examined and costed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: We left the economy in good shape.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very difficult to blame the media today for reporting the bad news when we see the billions that landed on the shoulders of taxpayers yesterday. There has been much talk about accountability and responsibility this morning. We on this side do not need any lectures on responsibility from a Government that, strikingly, refused to apologise yesterday for the situation we are landed in....

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Where is the accountability and responsibility in that regard?

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, before section 3, but in Part 2, to insert the following new section: "3.—The Minister shall within three months of the commencement of this Act, publish a report on the provision of secure care under this Act which shall include consideration of how such provision compares with best practice internationally.". This amendment is a request to the Minister...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the Minister of State is satisfied with the methods already in place to review what is occurring, but will he ensure the annual report compares what is being done in Ireland with best international practice? Perhaps he could incorporate the thinking behind the amendment. He mentioned that even the HIQA report raised concerns about staffing levels and some other matters....

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept the Minister of State's comment to the effect that, in so far as he can, he will ensure a comparison with best international practice will be one of the criteria by which the HSE will examine the situation in its annual report on secure units.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept that. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Section 3 agreed to. Section 4 agreed to.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: This point arose on Second Stage. I would be interested to hear if the Minister of State accepts there is a principle and important point regarding the use of language. This word arises in a number of sections. The Minister of State does not appear to have tabled any amendments in respect of it. I am sure the Minister of State is aware that Barnados, the Irish Association of Young People...