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

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the introduction of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill, which is much needed legislation, particularly as human trafficking is recognised as the third most lucrative international crime after drugs and arms trafficking. Ireland is one of the richest countries in Europe and is a tempting destination for human traffickers. It is important to enact legislation to curb this...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to discuss the pharmacy dispute. A deadline of 1 March has been set for changes to the contracts. When I asked for this debate last week, I noted Senator Feeney felt we should keep it in the health committee. I note from reports in today's newspapers, however, that...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fianna Fáil Deputies are raising the issues I brought up, that the deadline be taken away and an independent arbitrator appointed to deal with the issues before 1 March.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, Fianna Fáil Senators, like everyone, are unhappy about this.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I suggest the Minister for Health and Children attends the House. Many Senators, such as Senator Ross, have asked for this. There should be a debate to hear why the Minister is sticking to the deadline of 1 March and why preconditions are being imposed on the pharmacists. I will move an amendment to the Order of Business to ensure this happens. Many Members will have seen a recent...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: His spin is good.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: A number of Members were disappointed when the debate on special educational needs concluded last week because they did not have an opportunity to contribute. Perhaps the Leader might ask the Minister to return to the House for a further debate on this important topic in order that everyone might have their say. I am sure Members will join with me in extending condolences to the family of...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not sure what the Senator is saying.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Is he distancing himself?

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a serious allegation.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been highly impressed by the manner in which Senator McDonald has spoken on this very good debate and I congratulate Senator Mullen on tabling this amendment. It brings to mind the role of the law in changing behaviour. In the area of equality for example, many changes to legislation were required before actual changes in behaviour were observed. Although I do not know whether...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It does not appear to be consistent to criminalise in respect of women who have been trafficked but not in respect of other women.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer to comments made yesterday in the House by a number of Senators on the Government side, which were reported in The Irish Times today, regarding the tribunal lacking due process. The Leader implicitly supported these comments when he said other Senators would do well to take on board Senator Ó Murchú's views about what had happened in the tribunal to date. The Dáil voted...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will any action be forthcoming?

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is the way to go.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: We could implement the task force report.

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. One of the most courageous political acts I have witnessed in this House was when the then Minister, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, introduced her Bill. It was not a very popular Bill with Fianna Fáil at the time but she went ahead and introduced it. One of the events that motivated her to introduce it was a meeting she had with...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an example of a situation. Pension rights could not be passed on to the surviving partner. On 25 June 2003, Fine Gael published its policy paper on civil partnership. Fianna Fáil has made a number of promises. It is five years since the Fine Gael policy paper was published and Fianna Fáil has not yet introduced legislation. Every time the issue is raised, we are told: "Not today...