Results 19,701-19,720 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 8: In page 5, line 27, after "Finance" to insert "and the Houses of the Oireachtas". The amendment is self-explanatory and I await the Minister of State's response.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: This is an important amendment because there has been so much discussion about income limits. In addition, there has been much disagreement about their impact and the number of people who will be affected. I feel it is important to try to bring some information back not just to the Department of Finance but also to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The changes in the Bill will impact on the...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is about choices.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: I believe it is still in there for the three years.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I regret that we must discuss this ill thought-out legislation because of the Government's failure to see the error of its ways. This Bill more than anything else has taken away the peace of mind of our elderly citizens, who contributed hugely to this society and who hoped to have the peace of mind that the medical card offered. The Minister of...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: I can understand why it would not want more scrutiny or delay. The Government wants to rush it through because it is unjust and it does not want it to undergo the sort of scrutiny it deserves. Therefore, the Government is doing what it did towards the end of this term in the Dáil and Seanad. It is bad parliamentary practice which is bad for the legislation and for older people, who will...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: This comes at a time when all sorts of other actions are being taken by the Government that will create significant problems for the elderly. I spoke yesterday to a person on the front line dealing with people in a hospital and I was told there were 60 people waiting for community care packages in Tallaght hospital and there are vetoes on community care packages in a number of areas, despite...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: What is next? That is the question.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: Does the Senator think people will be able to afford VHI cover now?
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: We met the health providers.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Richard Burton had credibility in government.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: The then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, negotiated this measure. The Government to which the Senator is a party negotiated it.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator is projecting the issue.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: She must be squirming.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: They reacted themselves. They did not need any whipping up?
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: People reacted to the announcements themselves.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: It was a natural reaction.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: We said we will.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)
Frances Fitzgerald: Not at all, Dr. Reilly said it.