Results 1-20 of 468 for speaker:Liam Fitzgerald

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I assure the Senator that I will deal with disadvantage in a moment. I take on board some of the points made by Senator Burke and I welcome some of Senator McHugh's sentiments, which indicate a clear understanding of the huge anomalies in the area of grants and maintenance funding for third level education. In relation to Senator Burke's comments, the outstanding legacy of this Minister is...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Every cent allocated will be spent 2002, including €350 million in supports aimed at tackling disadvantage, which I will deal with more fully if I am allowed. Plain simple facts appear to be causing pain to some on the Opposition side of the House. Perhaps they need a political spin doctor to prescribe an antidote which will relieve that pain, but they should not blame me if the facts cause...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Thank you for your protection, Sir. The expenditure will also include €320 million in third level student support. The Government is committed to tackling disadvantage and has a proud record of achievement in that regard over the last five years. I know this Minister will be very happy to be judged on his record when he leaves office in five years time. Between 1997 and 2002, nearly 19,000...

Seanad: Education Funding: Motion (9 Oct 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Emotional assertion is no substitute for facts and logical reasoning, which I can provide to the Senator if he wishes to meet me afterwards.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I assure the Opposition that Senators on this side of the House will warmly welcome the opportunity to debate the Book of Estimates and their impact on education. A scrutiny of the last five years in education will show a proud record of achievement across all sectors, including the building programme. Members of the Opposition will be familiar with the intensive building and refurbishment...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: The religious orders have a proud record of achievement in education over successive generations and centuries. The House should pay a glowing tribute to that.

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: It is interesting that Senator McDowell should conclude on that note and I am sure it has resonances of the experience the Labour Party had in 1997. Following its decision in 1992, the public waited in the long grass and gave them a clear, unambiguous message in 1997. That message is potent for the Labour Party today. It is nice to be able to divert attention from the dilemma the party found...

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Bluster such as that is no substitute for reasoned argument. Let the Senator bluster away, I have no problem with that. Since the publication of the Estimates, the public has been overwhelmed with analyses of the rights and wrongs of the Minister's approach to the management of the economy and commentators are parading panaceas for our short-term fiscal difficulties. Media commentators with...

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: —among us, we should sketch the track record of the Minister for Finance over the last five years. There is irrefutable evidence of his sound economic judgment and management. Although Ireland is suffering the effects of a global economic slow down, as are all other economies, it is performing on a par with the very best in Europe. The approach to the economy that was appropriate during...

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: —and bore little relation to reality. If the people had the misfortune to vote them into office, they would now be taking them down hurriedly to where they left them in 1987 staring blindly at the appalling abyss of bankruptcy.

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: That is where we were in 1987 and from where Ireland had to be rescued by the then Fianna Fáil Government, albeit a minority Government, with support from a wise, young, dynamic politician in the Tallaght strategy who, within a short time, was subsequently cast to the wolves and to political oblivion by his own party. The facts are there, unpalatable as they may be. I have heard spokesmen in...

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: —who fail to recognise that this fund has been one of the most imaginative, innovative, creations in the history of Ministers for Finance. It is a clear acknowledgment by the Minister of consultants' reports and of trends in the age profile of the working population and of where we will be in 25 years' time. It is putting money away for the rainy day. I have no doubt it is one of the many...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: As a Dublin based politician, I do not aspire to follow Senator Norris, but warmly support many of the sentiments and views expressed by him. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus go n-éirí an t-adh leis san phortfolio nua atá aige. I commend the Minister for initiating this important Bill after a brief period in office at a crucial time in the history of tourism. On 4 July last he signalled...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Never fear, the man's greatness will shine through.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: Correct.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I welcome the Bill and commend the Minister and the Minister of State for deciding they would not deal with a new measure, albeit only two years old, in an ostrich-like fashion. It is unfortunate that the ostrich syndrome still appears to be alive and well in Irish politics, as I have seen and experienced only too often in Dublin City Council. The only claim to fame of some members of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I ask the Leader to comment on two issues relating to third level education. If proof was needed that the abolition of third level education fees has not improved access to third level from the ranks of the disadvantaged, it has become available today with the publication of official figures from the Department of Education and Science which show that 2% of students who avail of third level...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "–noting the Government's commitment towards improving school accommodation as demonstrated by the fourfold increase in funding for primary buildings since 1997; –noting the dramatic expansion of the school building and refurbishment programme at primary level; –noting the intention of the...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Liam Fitzgerald: I sympathise with any community whose school has been delayed in receiving urgent remedial refurbishment, as I am sure do the Minister of State, the Minister, the Government and anyone with care for education and the needs and demands of local communities. Senator Brian Hayes made a point about diverting massive resources to deal with the 400 schools on the lists. Lists are nothing new from...