Results 121-140 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader might wish to clarify whether the Taoiseach will make a statement on the Mahon tribunal, given members of his parliamentary party are calling for such a statement to address the inconsistencies that are being exposed, almost on a daily basis.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, what Senator Eoghan Harris has called an abuse by my colleague, Senator Eugene Regan, is considered a public service by many people. There is a difference of opinion on that, among the public as well as in this House.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (4 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is an honour to rise today, on behalf of the Fine Gael group in the Seanad, to pay tribute to a former Member of the Oireachtas, Deputy and Senator, Seán Keegan and extend sympathy to his wife, family, friends and Fianna Fáil colleagues. Seán Keegan showed a deep and unwavering commitment to public service as a member of a local authority and as a Member of Dáil Eireann and Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Leader be moving the motion on Zimbabwe?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Senator Quinn yesterday sought a debate on Northern Ireland. Members who watched the news in recent days will have been struck and impressed by the visit of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to the USA, its success and the response to it. Senator Quinn's call for a debate is appropriate. In the course of that we should discuss the ongoing situation of the family of Paul Quinn...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is the Government's fault too.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the initiative by the Leader in response to a discussion we had at a leaders' meeting about Ministers taking questions following statements. This is a very good innovation and I am pleased the Leader has been able to bring this to the proceedings and that Ministers have agreed to do it. I hope we can develop and extend this initiative. I wish to return to an issue raised yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: It needs to be done by way of a statement in the Seanad and the Dáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fianna Fáil learnt a lot from him.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fianna Fáil changed its policies on the North because of him.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was delighted to attend a reception yesterday at which our colleague, Senator Norris, handed over his personal archive of papers to the National Library. These document his campaign for equality and gay rights in Ireland. I echo the words of the former President, Mary Robinson, who at the reception commended his courage in illustrating the discrimination felt by gay people at a time when...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is nothing extra in the budget for a new scheme.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Senator is an optimist.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Not before time.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is Senator Cassidy trying to imply?

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Fine Gael is opposing today's Order of Business because two of the Government's proposals demonstrate a lack of respect for proper democratic procedure and debate in this House. The Government's decision to push through a sensitive appointment to the Standards in Public Office Commission without any consultation with the Opposition, despite the legislative requirement to do so, is a serious...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is about ethics, standards and the way we do business with regard to this body. The desire for all-party agreement on such appointments is there for a good reason. The process should not be rushed or conducted without consultation. The last time such an appointment was made, there was consultation. There are also issues regarding the appointment of someone who has recently held...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I ask the Leader to withdraw this item of business from the Order Paper so that proper procedures can be carried out and a proper approach taken to the appointments to this important body. The Leader might reply to us on this issue. I will oppose the Order of Business based on Fine Gael's concerns about the way in which this is being handled. The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Get used to it.