Results 19,821-19,840 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is none this week. Much legislation has been promised — I will refer to some of it in a moment — but why are Ministers not producing it this term? Last week we also asked for debates on the economy, equality and the decision to abolish Combat Poverty. I am very disappointed none of those is on the Seanad programme this week. I express condolences to the family and fiancée of...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yesterday in the House, a number of speakers said the Opposition was not realistic about the economic situation. I asked the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, whether the Government was realistic about the economic situation given the discussions and agreement at the social partnership talks some weeks ago. The Minister responded that she felt the economic situation had...

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: There also happened to be an election pending.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a very important concern.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I particularly welcome the clarification the Minister has just given with regard to a couple who qualify for a medical card and where one party subsequently dies, the remaining party will retain the medical card. That will be of relief to many people. The Minister spoke about people not realising the seriousness of the economic situation. When the Government negotiated the social...

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Am I right? Did the Minister say €16 million?

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Minister to outline, in the limited time available, how she expects that saving to be made and what initiatives have been taken in that regard.

Seanad: Nursing Home Standards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for being here today.

Seanad: Nursing Home Standards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: She has certainly had a baptism of fire in her portfolio, given the difficult situation that arose recently concerning the medical card decision. We had a good debate on the matter in the House earlier. I hope the Minister of State will have an opportunity to familiarise herself with it because some very interesting concepts were aired during that discussion. It is the first debate I have...

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and for the willingness she shows to debate the topics of the day. It is appreciated. The Government made a political choice to deprive the over 70s of a medical card. There were many options on the table, but for some reason that was the decision the Minister made. We have seen the response of the people, who certainly do not agree with it....

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: People had seen a vision of universality when medical cards for the over 70s were introduced in 2001. They liked what they saw and felt it worked for their health. It gave a better quality of life to people over 70 so one must ask why this political choice was made. As for Fine Gael's position on universality, we went to the electorate in the 2002 election with a universal health policy....

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: They have it in national schools.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government negotiated it. Accept the responsibility.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is rubbish. Accept the responsibility.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What did the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin, do? Is the Senator taking responsibility for the Government's negotiation of the deal?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have.

Seanad: Medical Cards: Statements (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, is it possible to get a copy of the Minister's speech?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I join the Leader in sending the congratulations of this House to President-elect Barack Obama. To see the first African-American commander-in-chief is truly a historic moment for America. It is a moment of hope for America and, I hope, for the world. Many people will be pleased to see the end of President Bush's era.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was wonderful to watch the results coming in last night, to see the engagement of people with politics and to see the people queueing for long hours to vote. I do not think we would have the same patience here if we had to endure a five-hour queue. It was a wonderful moment for democracy and it was tremendous to see the engagement of Mr. Obama with young people and minorities across the...