Results 18,861-18,880 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is clear that there is a smokescreen.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is clear that the money which we were promised would be ring-fenced for mental health services has disappeared into the HSE's budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is true. The Minister for Health and Children said as much at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is true. Apparently, the Minister of State is to announce a new commitment in respect of mental health services.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I request that the House engage in a debate on the Minister of State's new commitment in order that we might have an opportunity to discuss the relevant issues. The final issue to which I wish to refer relates to women's representation in political life. It was stated that a debate on this matter would take place on 8 March, International Women's Day. I ask the Leader to reply on how he...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Do not be ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a legal issue. I did not engage in personality politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The taxpayers.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome Senator Mark Dearey to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. It is an honour to be appointed to this House. I congratulate him on that. He arrives at an eventful time in politics and perhaps an eventful and challenging day for the Green Party. I congratulate Senator Dearey on his appointment to this House. A serious issue has arisen today in regard to a Minister of...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I raise a most serious issue facing the country, the lack of credit for small businesses. It is choking businesses up and down the country. I am sure every Senator has been approached by people running small businesses who are desperate to obtain credit, who have had overdrafts slashed and are finding it very difficult to survive. If we are to encourage and support businesses at this...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad the Cathaoirleach has clarified the matter. There is a precedenct for tabling such a motion.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, there is a precedent. It happened in 1991.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I formally give the Cathaoirleach notice that in this House Fine Gael will be tabling a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, as precedent allows. Yesterday in the Dáil we saw the half-hearted efforts of a Green Party Minister in defending the Minister. The Green Party prides itself on promoting ethics and standards in public life, but it seems that not...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Does the Green Party intend to confirm these views in the Seanad this morning? I shall finish by quoting one of its former councillors, as reported in The Irish Times today: "The lowest standard, once again, wins the day." I look forward to hearing the Leader's response to this most serious issue, the lack of confidence of Members of this House in the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is true.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Cancer Awareness: Statements (17 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the opportunity to speak on cancer awareness, given that today has been designated national no smoking day. It is particularly appropriate that we are having the discussion on our cancer services today and I shall focus on those areas concerning which I have questions for the Department as regards its policies and how it intends to develop them in key areas. The Minister of State...

Seanad: Cancer Awareness: Statements (17 Feb 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I pay tribute to the work done by the Irish Cancer Society, Europa Donna and the Marie Keating Foundation in informing us about and highlighting these issues and demanding action be taken on them.