Results 361-380 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Not as much as the patients on the waiting lists.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Fine Gael welcomes this Bill and I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive speech which certainly cleared up some questions in my mind. This Bill was referred to the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny on 21 November last and then referred to the Joint Committee on European Affairs for further detailed scrutiny. The members of that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I also ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House in view of his recent statement about the onus on local authorities to zone land for schools. While he was correct to do so, there is an onus on the Department to work with the local authorities and guarantee that if land is zoned for schools, they will be built. I would also like to hear the...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I accept the Government amendments. I noticed a problem with that point yesterday and asked my colleagues to look at it. We then received the Government amendment which I could not have matched but I am glad to have spotted the difficulty there. In the case of annulment of a marriage if, for example, a man who had obtained a State annulment was killed in a car accident would his former wife...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is important to look at this from the perspective of a marriage that has been annulled. Probably neither party would wish to see an ex-spouse benefiting in the future through the other's death or injury. Some specify in their wills that they do not want the previous spouse to receive any benefit. One's spouse can be entitled to one's pension and...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I was referring essentially to the case of a childless couple with no dependants where the marriage had broken down very quickly. Obviously in cases involving dependants, they must be provided for.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank everybody involved in the Bill. This time last week, I knew nothing about international conventions on air navigation and transport. I know considerably more now. I thank the departmental officials for the briefing they gave me. I also thank my researchers and the Minister who gave a very comprehensive speech yesterday. The Bill gives people the option of taking legal action in their...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I wish to share time with Senator Finucane. I was not impressed with the Minister's attitude earlier and with his refusal to listen to Members on this side of the House. Fine Gael is not against one-off housing. It is against the cynical con job by the Minister and the Government on rural housing. This document contains nothing new. Having spoken to planners — they are not members of Fine...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: ——they say that this document contains little that is new. I have just had a telephone call regarding two planning permissions in County Carlow.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: No. The reality is that this document will make no difference in such cases. Were it not for the Famine and ensuing emigration, our population would be approximately 21 million. We are unable to plan for a population of less than five million people. Senator McHugh raised some very valid points. Planning departments throughout the country are completely stretched. Why are they not receiving...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Senator Brennan is introducing new factors now. I am asking a straightforward question. Fianna Fáil is promoting this measure as if it will allow everyone to live in rural Ireland when it knows in reality that the same problems will exist. We all know we will get many telephone calls, as Senator McHugh and everyone else is getting, from people who have been refused in the past and who will...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: That is the reality of the issue. I ask the Minister of State to investigate that case because if someone makes a planning application before the deadline but the council has a difficulty about which it informs the person at the last minute, it is unfair to push him into the new development levy period where he has to pay extra charges. That is totally unfair and in fairness to those on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: RTE will broadcast a documentary on President McAleese in the near future. That is inappropriate, particularly in view of the fact that this is an election year, because it gives an unfair advantage to one person.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: RTE has been very selective in what it has——

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Perhaps the Leader will communicate my concerns to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: It is grossly unfair, in an election year, for a candidate to be the subject of a documentary. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government why a ministerial order has not yet been signed in respect of the local elections? I have spoken to a few town clerks who informed me that they have not yet received such an order. They are not sure whether 11 June...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Will the referendum, if it proceeds on 11 June, be in the form of a paper ballot?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I thank Senator O'Meara for sharing her time and welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. I wish to acknowledge the huge role played by gardaí. Recently a constituent of mine jumped into the river to rescue someone but the story never even made the newspapers. If, however, something goes wrong, it is on the front page. Gardaí risk their lives day in and out for the common good....

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: Arising from the Tánaiste's decision concerning the need for a motorway or dual carriageway to the south-east and that a clear commitment was given before the last election by Senator Dardis that taxpayers' money would not be provided for a motorway, will he do the honourable thing by considering his position within the PDs and resigning? Senator Ryan spoke about values and it is important...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2004)

Fergal Browne: I am seeking a debate on values, integrity and honesty.