Results 19,961-19,980 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Orders of Reference of Select Committee: Motion (7 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would support that.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to be associated with the remarks of the Leader in regard to the late Jack Tobin. Many members of the public watching the emerging debate on the banking and international financial sector and on the economy in recent days will have been struck by a number of factors. One is that, as I said in last week's debate, we are not at the end of the situation in regard to the banks; we...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would say the Senator has very little chance of that.

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (2 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I raise the urgent need for the refurbishment of St. Brigid's national school in Palmerstown, Dublin 20. This school has commissioned a health and safety audit. Following a response from the Department of Education and Science, the Health and Safety Authority will visit the school on 9 October 2008. This is how serious the situation is. I do not know if this is unprecedented but it is...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (2 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate the fact the Minister of State will bring my concerns to the Minister. Why is there not transparency with regard to the building programme? Why do schools not know where they are on the list and in the timeframe?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We did our job last night and, as I said at the conclusion of the debate last night, this is not a time for self-congratulation from the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister described the Irish banks as orphans who had nowhere to turn except to the Irish State and Government — what a description of our banks — and that this was a firefighting exercise to deal with an emergency situation. The implication was that the situation had verged towards catastrophe. We have dealt with one aspect of our economy, but there are other underlying problems...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the staff, particularly our own staff, and all the staff who work in Leinster House for their support this evening, which was essential. I thank the Minister for staying here with us all night and his officials for all the work they have put in. It is an historic occasion. It is the first time that all Stages of a Bill have been passed after midnight in this House, emphasising the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What we are saying is we do not want an unrealistic timetable being put to us now that asks us to come in at 10 p.m., when we know the Bill will continue to be debated in the Dáil until midnight or 1 a.m. The point is that this is what has happened during the course of the past two days with regard to the legislation. I suggest that we adjourn the sitting until 7.30 p.m. for the leaders of...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What about my suggestion?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept the proposal in the interest of this issue and in light of its importance nationally. I would like the Leader to communicate with the leaders of the groups in the meantime. I hope we can arrange a more realistic timetable at that point so that this farce will not continue.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Dáil has agreed to sit late in order to conclude the legislation this evening and that it is considered important that this legislation be passed tonight, and as a result the Seanad will sit late to discuss its detail and pass the legislation. I support what the Leader is saying.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take it there will be a break between the Second Stage and Committee Stage in order to allow time to submit amendments.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We will certainly have to hope that the execution of the legislation is better than its birth.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is the way the legislation has been handled in the Dáil as well as in this House, and it could have been handled in a better way. However, we now have no choice but to meet again at 2.30 a.m. to consider——

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will it even be 2.30 a.m.?

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: There has clearly been much concern about the governance of banks about which many Members in the Dáil and Seanad have spoken. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure an outside person is appointed to the risk management committee and the main company board of each financial institution that receives financial support. The Minister may have seen the Fine Gael Public Appointments...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government's timetable on this legislation has been chaotic from the start and this is another example of it. It is very clear the Bill will not be finished in the Dáil by 10 p.m. so I do not know why this House is being recalled at that time. What is the reason for the rush? This looks quite chaotic and that sends a much worse message than the Government saying it wants the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I suggest to Senator Feeney that we not be disingenuous about this. We are quite happy to work throughout the night, if that is what is necessary.