Results 1-20 of 36 for speaker:Michael Fitzpatrick

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Michael Fitzpatrick: The Government is embarking on the largest and most ambitious investment in our national infrastructure. Under Transport 21, €10 million will be invested every day for ten years. This €34 billion investment is transforming infrastructure with an investment of €18 billion in the road-building programme and €16 billion in public transport. From 1997 to 2006, 191 km of new motorway and...

Child Care: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I am delighted to speak on this issue. I am proud to have been involved from a early stage in the provision of a child care facility in north-west Kildare. In 2003, when the idea was thought up, most people thought we were mad even to suggest it in a rural area. The centre was opened in 2005 following the expenditure of €2.5 million. It now caters for 51 full-time places with 60...

Climate Change and Energy Security: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

Michael Fitzpatrick: As a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Our planet is warming up and our climate is changing because of man-made emissions of greenhouse gases. Many human activities — manufacturing, farming, driving our cars and heating our homes — are responsible for generating greenhouse gases. The resulting...

Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Dec 2007)

Michael Fitzpatrick: It is nice to follow Deputy Byrne who is well-qualified to speak on this issue because of his background in the legal profession. The Bill requires that the King's Inns and the Law Society shall have regard to Government policy on bilingualism. These new arrangements will involve a significant improvement in the teaching of Irish by King's Inns and the Law Society and a much more effective...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (26 Feb 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the HSE is transferring the normal once weekly dental service from Kilcock to Maynooth, County Kildare, with effect from 1 April 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7533/08]

Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Student Support Bill 2008, which provides for a single unified statutory grants scheme to replace the four existing schemes and places the scheme on a statutory footing. I welcome the proposal to bring unity, clarity and efficiency to the entire provision of the student grants scheme. The Bill defines and clarifies common terms, while making...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Apr 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: Question 246: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Kildare County Council plans to cul-de-sac Carbury Village, County Kildare against the wishes of all the residents and the majority of the public representatives; and if he will intervene to ensure the village remains open to light traffic in the interest of health and safety and the prosperity...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Apr 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: Question 247: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that Kildare County Council will be in a position to spend its 2008 allocation of €2.5 million on upgrading the Johnstownbridge/Edenderry road in 2008; if the issues with roadside land holders have been resolved in relation to the land purchase and fencing; and if not the reason for the delay in the process. [16415/08]

Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Chemicals Bill. It fulfils a commitment under the programme for Government to implement the European Union regulatory framework governing the manufacture and use of chemicals and does not impact on the competitiveness of our economy. The Bill will put in place an administrative framework for the enforcement of various pieces of EU chemicals...

Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I remember it well.

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I wish to share time with Deputy Michael McGrath.

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Bill as presented by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern. I also welcome the changes made by the Minister following extensive consultations. Ireland's place on the European alcohol league table is not something of which we should be proud. While the Bill does not address all our ills, it goes a long way to addressing the areas examined last...

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: It is important that security people be courteous and understanding of young people. They must not be seen as targets or as the sole abusers of alcohol. Many older people are also abusers, but young people appear to be the main targets. We should also investigate the labelling of alcohol products, as for tobacco products, to show the consequences of overindulgence.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Sep 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008, which will have a real and practical effect on the political system in this country. Population figures show that there are some serious variances from the national average population per Deputy in a number of constituencies. The Government has accepted the Constituency Commission's recommendations as a single package...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I wish to share time with Deputy Johnny Brady.

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which is very important for local authorities, our environment and with regard to CO2 emissions. The Bill is a necessary follow-up to the finance resolution on motor tax rates and trade plate licences which was passed by the House on 5 December 2007. This provided for only limited statutory effect and needs to be replaced by a Bill which...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Fitzpatrick: On the Continent, a driver of a battery operated vehicle can pull in and recharge it in a matter of a few minutes or have it replaced and move on. I welcome the focus in this Bill on the environment and CO2 emissions. It is important that we highlight these issues at this time. In our capital city of Dublin we have a large public transport fleet along with other transport fleets. I do not...

Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which will overhaul the State's employment rights framework. It will modernise the labour inspectorate, strengthen enforcement of employment rights and work permits, promote greater compliance in the workplace and increase penalties for employers who seek to gain advantage by denying employees their entitlements under the law. The main measures...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I wish to share time with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Fitzpatrick: I am pleased to speak on this Bill which provides the legislative basis for the new fair deal nursing homes support scheme. Entering a nursing home or a long-term care facility can be a source of significant anxiety and upset for older people and their families, neighbours and friends. At present, there are some 7,700 people in public long-term residential care and a further 15,200 people...