Results 241-260 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I hear what the Minister has to say. If the Minister had been here during the Order of Business, he would have heard many Senators raise with the Leader of the House the accountability of the BCI. Much unhappiness was expressed at the granting and withdrawal of radio licences. People want to see accountability, a clear-cut explanation as to why radio licences were granted or not granted. The...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment. This time last year I did not, as a member of the general public, have much sympathy for taxi drivers. Now, as a Member of the House who has had the benefit of sitting on the Joint Committee on Transport for a year and having met the families involved and, in particular, the association, FAIR, an impressive group which has lobbied hard and successfully highlighted its...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I agree with previous speakers regarding the penalty points system. Not long ago the sycophantic nature of the Government benches was apparent in their praise of the success of the system. Now things are not going well and they are walking away.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on transport in the autumn. The issue of right of redress is a concern, especially in the case of fixed speed cameras. People should have the right to question fines or penalty points imposed. Yesterday representatives of the Irish Insurance Federation attended a joint committee. They blamed the Government for the delay in making reductions in insurance...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: In terms of the availability of land in Dublin, the monetary compensation being paid to local authorities would not buy a stamp. Luas has grossly inflated house prices in Dublin also. It is time we had a debate on housing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: It would be more effective with resources.

Seanad: Road Network. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I wish to query the Government's road building capability. The national development plan was launched with great fanfare a few years ago and we were told we would have dual carriageways everywhere by 2006. We were promised there would be no more delays and that our infrastructure, which the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment described as being of Third World standard, would be...

Seanad: Road Network. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: A lot done, but more to do.

Seanad: Road Network. (2 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Minister of State mentioned 16 major projects in construction or due to start shortly and the commencement of a tendering process on ten further projects. Will he give details of those projects?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I agree with my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, regarding the announcement of land for houses. It is amazing that the Government did not avail of the debate on the Private Members' motion on housing in the Dáil to make the announcement and that it chose instead to give it to the press. The television coverage and reporting of the proceedings of the Seanad could be improved in many respects....

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I wish to declare that I am a member of the Oireachtas science foundation group which promotes the sciences and come from a background in the sciences. I welcome the Bill and agree with Senator Leyden that it has great potential. However, I ask that the Leader arranges for the House to debate progress in the area one year from now. I have every confidence in Dr. Bill Harris as director...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I also welcome the Bill. On a personal note, I am always amused when the subject of changing the culture of drink arises during discussions with friends. We had a heated discussion last night on the subject in a restaurant. If someone is forced to call the emergency services as a result of drinking too much, perhaps being twice or three times over the legal limit, they should be fined....

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Motion. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister for his informative contribution. Fine Gael compliments Mr. Justice Flood on the huge amount of work he did as chairman of the tribunal. The public saw some tribunals in the past as a means for lawyers to get wealthy and for people to be exonerated. Certainly, there have been wishy washy reports from some tribunals. That was not the case with the Flood tribunal. The...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Motion. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: I accept that. However, the people that are found guilty are long gone from politics. It is a question of accelerating the process. The Taoiseach has questions to answer about his handling of this matter. I hope the Government gives the Flood tribunal the resources necessary to continue its work and I hope its work will be completed before 2006, as the tribunal believes, rather than 15 years...

Seanad: Official Languages Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Fergal Browne: Gabhaim buíochas don Aire agus gach duine eile a bhí ag obair ar an mBille seo. Tá Fine Gael sásta leis. Tá a lán obair le déanamh chun na Gaeilge a mhéadú ar fud na tíre agus tacaíocht a thabhairt don nGaeltacht. Bhí fadhb ag Fine Gael le halt 32 agus athraíodh é agus tá muid an-sásta leis sin. Tá mé féin agus Fine Gael dóchasach go dtosóidh an Bille seo an obair agus go...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Fergal Browne: I congratulate all those involved in this report, including Senator O'Meara. This is a topical issue which has raised many hackles throughout the country. My colleagues on the other side of the House spoke about the west. However, the case in Carlow-Kilkenny has been equally controversial. Lessons must be learned from this process. The Minister was correct when he said he would rule out any...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Fergal Browne: I regret that the Minister is not in the House while I appreciate the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy McDaid. In the light of the public fracas taking place at present between the former Minister for Public Enterprise and current Leader of the Seanad, Senator O'Rourke, and the current Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, it is regrettable he is not in the House. They appear to be...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Fergal Browne: In defence of the Minister, Deputy Brennan, there is the former CIE chairman, Brian Joyce. He informed Senator O'Rourke in 2000 that the Luas was heading towards the €1 billion mark, so her story does not add up either. There is grave confusion within the Fianna Fáil Party between past and present. Unfortunately, while Fianna Fáil Members argue among themselves, the public is suffering....

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Dempsey, survived.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Minister of State should ask the businesses in Harcourt Street and Abbey Street what they think. It is crazy.