Results 101-120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: We welcome that.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Cathaoirleach give the Minister an opportunity to answer the specific questions asked?

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since the Minister did not get to respond to several Fine Gael Members, will she give them a written reply or respond now?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On Tuesday the House debated with the Minister for Health and Children for two hours. In that time many Members expressed their concerns about the state of the health services, with a particular focus on cancer services. Unfortunately since then, two more women who believed they had the all-clear from Portlaoise Hospital have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This a personal tragedy for...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senator de Búrca will have to get her own troops lined up.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the question of achieving consensus on health policy, it is not a lack of support from the Opposition which has led to the problems in the health service. I remind Senators that the Minister for Health and Children and her two most recent predecessors, the Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputies Cowen and Martin, respectively, belong to parties which have had...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: If she wants to reform the HSE, legislation to reform its structures should be brought to the House. I agree with my colleague on the issue of road safety. Will the Leader raise the issue of poor signage on road works throughout the country with the Minister for Transport, particularly with regard to changes in road layout? We see this serious problem on a daily basis and must see more...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ask the Minister of State what he wants from the cancer strategy.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Devins, what he wants from the cancer strategy.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes the importance to the democratic process of a vibrant and relevant Upper House; the agreement of all parties on an agenda for change in the Report on Seanad Reform; that the Report was published in 2004 and three years after has still not been implemented; and calls on the Government to...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: That sounds like the Senator is open to influence, given that he is looking for cross-party co-operation. A rash of requests for cross-party co-operation has broken out in recent days both here and in the Dáil. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the difficulties the junior partners are having in persuading the senior partner, Fianna Fáil, to accept their policies. I agree with...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is happening to the critical legislation to which the partners committed themselves in the programme for Government, of which we have not had sight and we are some eight of nine weeks into this term? That needs to be dealt with. In regard to European affairs, we recommended that all MEPs elected on the island of Ireland should have the right to attend and speak in the Seanad but not...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe that was the last thing that was going to happen. Since 2002, the Leader of the Fine Gael group in the Seanad has been a member of the party's Front Bench. We take this House seriously. I agree with what Senator Boyle said and with what is stated in the report, namely, that the issue is not about abolishing the Seanad but that it is very much part of our democracy. The issue is...

Seanad: School Facilities (28 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. I ask the Minister for Education and Science to clarify the situation regarding the playing field beside the church which was previously used by Scoil Chrónáin in Rathcoole, County Dublin. It cannot be utilised currently owing to the state in which it has been left following upgrade works to the N7. Furthermore,...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senators may have heard a report on "Morning Ireland" this morning on the difficulties experienced by those in new primary schools in regard to the start-up grant, which currently stands at €6,300. For example, in Adamstown in Lucan, which is a strategic development zone, a primary school was put in place as an emergency measure in July. I spoke to teachers in three of the schools in...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Do we need an inquiry? There will be nobody doing work if they are all conducting investigations.

Seanad: Overseas Missions: Statements (Resumed) (29 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to share my time with Senator Nicky McFadden.

Seanad: Overseas Missions: Statements (Resumed) (29 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to these statements. As one from an Army family and as a former Fine Gael spokesperson on Defence, I very much value and appreciate the role which our armed forces have played on the international stage. It was a great honour when I led the first all-party visit to our troops in Lebanon some years ago and saw first-hand the invaluable...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the nursing home Bill come before the House before Christmas? There are many concerns on both sides of the House about the cutbacks in home care packages, and about moving ahead without proper debate on the issue of more subsidisation of nursing homes when home care packages and home help are not available to enable the elderly to remain at home. The community care services have been...