Results 19,201-19,220 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will make several points on the levy on insurers. The concern is that the levy has forced up the price of health insurance for health consumers. The cost of premiums has increased in VHI, Quinn Healthcare and Hibernian Aviva Health by 26%, 16% and 22%, respectively. I note, however, that Hibernian Aviva Health has indicated that increases will be kept in separate accounts and returned to...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State talked about ring-fencing money for intergenerational solidarity. I also read Senator Quinn's contribution to this debate, which was very interesting. The levy, however, is not ring-fenced as such. The VHI can use the proceeds from the levy for any other purposes it may choose, including expanding its business. However, section 3 sets out the principal objective of...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fine.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: No. Question, "That section 21 stand part of the Bill", put and declared carried.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want to raise a particular query concerning section 22, which is about making the provisions of the Bill retrospective from 1 January 2009. If the Bill is passed, will the levy be applied twice to certain contracts? I am worried that might be the case, given the dates outlined in section 22. If so, that could have serious financial consequences. Will the Minister of State respond to...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (7 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader could have decided that this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad they have changed their minds.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a U-turn but a welcome one.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: We will see.

Seanad: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am raising the issue of Gaelscoil na Camóige in Clondalkin village. I regret that I must table this Adjournment matter, but the position of the school is critical. It has immediate needs surrounding two classrooms that the board of management recently decided could no longer remain open. This meant that young children had to carry their desks and chairs across the yard to temporary...

Seanad: School Accommodation (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister of State convey to the Department of Education and Science the urgency of this case? There is nothing in the Minister of State's reply saying the new site will be made available soon. It is a reiteration of the old position. There is no news on when the new building may become available. Will the Minister of State ask the Department to engage constructively with the...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to join my colleagues in congratulating the Minister on his approach to the work of the Seanad. This is something that could be copied by other Ministers. He is somewhat unique in his approach, although there may be one other Minister with a similar approach. I want to reiterate the point that listening to the arguments made here during the course of a debate and being willing to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with colleagues about the importance of this issue and the need to strengthen responsibilities in the area of homelessness. However, it is in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of such policies and the budgets allocated that we will really see the difference. Will the Minister comment on this point and on the proposed monitoring and implementation of the policy? He has...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, I would like to query the change to the Order of Business, which was not discussed with the Opposition. We were not given any notice of this until the Leader of the House came in. It could create a difficulty.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very bad practice to change the order of Bills without any notice to Members of the Opposition, in terms of getting speakers here and being prepared for the Bills that are coming before the House. It is all part of rushing this legislation through and it is not good practice. I ask the Leader not to do it again in the coming days, when there is so much legislation coming before the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator keeps saying the same thing and it is incorrect.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Does that include the Joe Duffy amendment?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is probably true because the Government accepts so few amendments. The Broadcasting Bill was an exception.