Results 341-360 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: ——or directly to the Minister of State and speak about their experiences? What guidelines were issued to them about speaking to the media? Why can we not hear their voices publicly and hear what they have to state about the delivery of service? During the recent negotiations on the consultants contract an attempt was made to prevent consultants speaking of their experiences of the...

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer to the number of children who have gone missing in the asylum process and otherwise. For example, one of the Kenyan girls who went missing was aged 11. The Minister of State said the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for them. Can his Department liaise with that Department and the Garda to ensure proper searches are carried out and proper attempts are...

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State has been asked many questions during this debate. I am sure he agrees with me that it has been a disturbing debate, with widespread evidence of a crisis in the child protection services. What sort of emergency response is planned by the Minister of State? Was he convinced by the HSE's reassurances to him that it responds immediately in all cases where there is a...

Seanad: HSE Child Welfare and Protection Services: Statements (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is the view of the Minister of State on social workers speaking anonymously? Can he find out what is happening?

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his reappointment. I am pleased to raise the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the action the Government intends to take as a result of the information that has come to light that Irish consumers are paying up to 50% more than consumers in the United Kingdom for similar goods. It seems ridiculous...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State for his strong and forthright response to the issue raised. The Minister of State said that Ireland is not a command economy and that customers should be dealt with fairly given the change in the euro. What actions will follow from the meeting with the National Consumer Agency? In what areas can the Government take action? The Minister of State is...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Consumer power.

Seanad: Consumer Protection (21 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome that.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the Civil Partnership Bill 2004, it appears that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, said the Bill would be delayed when he launched the "Pride 08" festival in Dublin last night. It seems the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is unable to confirm if the draft legislation will be available before the summer recess. There was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I remind him of the public meetings, the distribution of literature and the national campaign. The absence of campaigning by other parties in several places is striking. We have to work together on this issue to highlight the benefits of Europe and the Lisbon treaty for Ireland. I do not think the attitude he took will be effective in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It was March.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is a ridiculous claim.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader is taking the same old approach. It is ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach issued an appeal for us to work together to secure a "Yes" vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: Our posters were up before those of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first matter I want to raise this morning is the rail strike which has greatly inconvenienced thousands of passengers over recent days. The latest news is that it is still continuing. The scale of the effect on passengers seems to be completely out of proportion to the issues involved, although there is some fault on both sides. What is the point of social partnership if we cannot have...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: It should not be provided on the same site as a prison.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion and I commend the Labour Party Senators on submitting it and providing the time to debate it. There is urgent need to address this issue, to examine how the HSE is performing, how it delivers services and the relationship, in terms of responsibility and accountability, between the HSE and the Minister in her...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

Frances Fitzgerald: I did not say it was bureaucracy.