Results 1,861-1,880 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I ask that we debate the issue of regulation.

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: This book should be renamed "Aspirations" as opposed to "Estimates" because it is purely aspirational. The Government seems to be in turmoil. The Tánaiste said public spending was out of control. A few days later she praised the Minister for Finance as the best ever. I cannot reconcile these two comments. We could become bogged down in smaller projects such as the first-time buyer's grant,...

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister and wish him well with the enormous task he faces in the Department of Transport. I compliment the Leader of the House on the role she played in this area in the previous Government.

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: There were reports in the newspapers that the Department of Transport is planning to pass information to insurance companies regarding people who receive penalty points on their licences. That worries me because the insurance companies will penalise the bad drivers but will not reward the good ones. With regard to the €150 million payout to CIE employees, to which they are entitled under...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I am aware we are approaching the conclusion of the debate so, as Henry VIII said to his wives, "I won't keep you long". I welcome the Minister and thank for him coming to the House. It is appreciated by this side of the House. I do not know a great deal about the tourism industry but many of my friends are employed in tourism related businesses, which reflects the growth in the industry. No...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I agree with my colleague, Senator Ryan, concerning the media invasion of the private lives of public figures. One day's cheap headline can have a long lasting effect on the family of the person concerned. We should not follow the example of the British tabloids. While getting my hair cut today, I was informed by my hairdresser of the major difficulty in regard to adoption. She is trying to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I am not looking for a debate as such, but rather a statement to inform the House of the position regarding adoption. When one considers the huge number of orphanages in the world one realises there are thousands of children awaiting adoption. I do not understand why there should be a delay if demand in Ireland is as I understand it to be. It would be appropriate for the Minister responsible...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: He is a little busy.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Roads Projects. (7 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I had expected that the Minister for Transport would be in the House to respond to this matter. However, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy John Browne, whom I have known for many years. Due to his name being the same as that of my father, some Wexford tickets for an all Ireland final were sent to our home address in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Roads Projects. (7 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: Carlow will, I hope, get to an all Ireland final. In commenting on the national roads programme one cannot ignore the grim fact that some 1,500 people have lost their lives in road accidents over the past four years. There have been rumours of cutbacks in the expenditure of Departments, including a shortfall of €6.8 billion in the roads building programme. The Minister for Finance, Deputy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Roads Projects. (7 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I apologise. I thought I had used the title.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader to include road building projects in the proposed debate on transport as well as the role of the NRA and its lack of accountability to the Oireachtas. All of the funds are going into motorways as opposed to regional roads. I look forward to hearing the view of the Progressive Democrats on this issue. Before the general election they had a different point of view in which they...

Seanad: Sub-committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion (Resumed). (24 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: I agree with the views expressed by the last two speakers. The Seanad needs to be topical and must react more quickly. We have not yet debated the report of the Flood tribunal. By the time we do so, most people will have forgotten it. The Dáil debated the matter immediately and the Seanad will be seen to be weeks behind. That does this House no service. I agree with Senator Ulick Burke...

Seanad: Sub-committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion (Resumed). (24 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps he is better looking, though that is debatable.

Seanad: Sub-committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion (Resumed). (24 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: This is a democracy and the Taoiseach is paid to answer questions. The Dáil and Seanad do not sit often and it is important that he should be in the Houses. In light of the reforms being brought forward, there is scope for the Taoiseach to come to the Seanad to answer questions. The frequency of that could be decided on by the committee, but it would give the Seanad a better profile and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: Ray Burke has been found to be corrupt in the meantime.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: I note that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will be in the House tomorrow. As a matter of courtesy I would like the Leader to inform him that I will be raising issues relating to the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. Under the Act, many schools are obliged to report children who are absent for more than 20 days; unfortunately not one education welfare officer has been appointed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: It is important that the Leader point that out to the Minister—

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to find out why no education welfare officers have been appointed and what effect that is having on crime?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Flood Relief. (23 Oct 2002)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. All State port companies are established under the Harbours Acts, 1996-2000, the statutory basis for their formation. Shannon Foynes Ports Company was formed in September 2000 following an amalgamation of the Shannon Estuary Ports Company and Foynes Port Company and operates as a commercial State port company under the Harbours Acts. The port...