Results 21-40 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Coroners Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I congratulate the Minister on his new portfolio and wish him well in it. There is a specific issue to which I draw his attention in the context of the Bill and in which I ask him to take a particular interest to see what he can do through the legislation that would be of assistance. The issue is suicide recording practices. The Bill is relevant to this and perhaps the Minister and his...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme (4 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this important matter. Last week, Fine Gael used its Private Members' time in the Seanad to debate health. We focused on the need to restore confidence in cancer services. In a number of instances patients were misdiagnosed, errors occurred in mammograms and we had questionable treatment practices in some hospitals. A somewhat worrying...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Today is World Mental Health Day. Since 1992, a specific day has been designated to offer the opportunity to communicate about mental health issues. I raise the issue because worrying information has been published on the website of the Mental Health Commission. Last year, two 13 year olds were admitted to psychiatric wards, as were six 14 year olds, five 15 year olds and 95 children aged...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: We agree.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Deputy Leader his views on the comments made by Mr. Justice Paul Carney in a lecture he delivered in Cork yesterday evening on victim impact statements. He referred in all but name to the trial of Wayne O'Donoghue for the murder of young Robert Holohan and his comments clearly raise painful memories of that trial. Will the Deputy Leader arrange for the Minister for Justice,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: He is talking about his own Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is a very enthusiastic Seanad today. I am sure Members wish to mark the announcement by the Pope of his intention to appoint Archbishop Seán Brady, Primate of All Ireland, to the College of Cardinals. I extend sincere congratulations to Archbishop Seán Brady. It is a recognition of his stable leadership and his contribution to the peace process. I congratulate Anne Enright on winning...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have a problem with today's Order of Business with regard to the motion on social security. It is another exercise of an option by the State and concerns agreeing to social security extension to third country nationals. It is not being discussed in any Dáil committee and we have had no information on the budgetary implications of this measure. Other countries have been discussing this...

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Motion (18 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: When the Leader stated this morning that this motion was being introduced I made the point that this kind of regulation should have had serious discussion, preferably in a committee where details could have been given. A vote was called on the taking of the motion. It is unsatisfactory for it to arrive in such a format in the Dáil and Seanad today, with a very short debate and without...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Leader for arranging today's debate on mental health, which many Senators have sought. It is important that we hold this debate because, as Senator Harris has noted, it will provide us with an opportunity to influence attitudes on mental health. I believe every Senator would wish to express abhorrence at the two murders which have taken place since this House last met. While...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Devins, thank him for attending the House and wish him success in his important portfolio. Some of the points raised by the Minister of State were disturbing. For example, he quoted from the recent mental health awareness and attitudes survey which showed that the public underestimates the prevalence of mental health problems in the population. This...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Teachers, parents and everybody who has a role in education must address this issue. It has not received the attention in the context of the suicide statistics that it deserves. Alcohol and drug abuse are also important. The Minister should pay particular attention to the emerging research on cannabis and drug use in general and mental health issues. There is disturbing new information...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is agreed. I note the Garda has arrested a suspect in this country as part of an investigation into international child trafficking involving six police forces. Approximately 300 unaccompanied children have gone missing from the care of the Health Service Executive, which is very disturbing. We are planning a constitutional amendment on children. The Leader will be aware of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is the Taoiseach who requires an explanation.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Order of Business is agreed. We have held a number of discussions recently on mental health and it would be remiss of me not to mention the late Professor Anthony Clare——

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: ——who has sadly passed away. He contributed significantly to demystifying issues surrounding mental health in this country. As a society we are indebted to the work he did. The Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007 is before the House today. This Bill was passed in the Dáil last week and allows for a pension for the former Minister, Deputy Michael...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate there is an opportunity to speak on the matter later as the Bill is being discussed in the House. We have seen a substantial number of U-turns from the Minister for Transport — more than any learner driver would dare to make. The road safety strategy has been significantly undermined by the changes in approach by the Minister in recent days. It is unfortunate because it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader should talk about the past ten years.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, the issue raised concerned the past ten years.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, I ask the Leader to address the past ten years of Fianna Fáil being in power, the incompetence surrounding the managing of road safety issues and the debacle over the weekend concerning provisional driving licences. These were the matters raised this morning.