Results 21-40 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: He is a little busy.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I am aware we are approaching the conclusion of the debate so, as Henry VIII said to his wives, "I won't keep you long". I welcome the Minister and thank for him coming to the House. It is appreciated by this side of the House. I do not know a great deal about the tourism industry but many of my friends are employed in tourism related businesses, which reflects the growth in the industry. No...

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister and wish him well with the enormous task he faces in the Department of Transport. I compliment the Leader of the House on the role she played in this area in the previous Government.

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: There were reports in the newspapers that the Department of Transport is planning to pass information to insurance companies regarding people who receive penalty points on their licences. That worries me because the insurance companies will penalise the bad drivers but will not reward the good ones. With regard to the €150 million payout to CIE employees, to which they are entitled under...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the decision by the Minister for Transport regarding the appointment of a national regulator of the taxi industry. Deregulation was a good idea in concept but did not work in practice. As Senator Norris pointed out, it has led to a situation where 1,500 current taxi drivers have a criminal record. The decision by the Minister is welcome but the matter should be debated properly in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I ask that we debate the issue of regulation.

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

Fergal Browne: This book should be renamed "Aspirations" as opposed to "Estimates" because it is purely aspirational. The Government seems to be in turmoil. The Tánaiste said public spending was out of control. A few days later she praised the Minister for Finance as the best ever. I cannot reconcile these two comments. We could become bogged down in smaller projects such as the first-time buyer's grant,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: Does the Leader believe it is appropriate for the Secretary General of the Department of Transport to investigate her own Minister? Would it not be more appropriate for the Comptroller and Auditor General or the Committee of Public Accounts to investigate the matter? This issue is obviously unhelpful to the Minister and Aer Rianta, who have much important work to do instead of being...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Hospitals Building Programme. (28 Nov 2002)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State. The matter I wish to raise is very straightforward. Carlow District Hospital has been awaiting a ten bed extension for over ten years. I am not talking about a brand new hospital, merely a ten bed extension. It is a very modest request. This matter is linked to the national development plan where it is seen as an entitlement for Carlow. The extension was first...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: There has been much debate recently about the further schools awaiting approval for building extensions. This raises the wider question of the role of religious orders in schools. I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Education and Science present on the role religious orders should play in schools. Should they contribute more or pay less towards the upkeep of schools?...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: I asked about their role in schools as trustees.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: They are still down.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: They will not benefit to the same extent.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: First-time buyers will get a small fraction of their entitlements.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: I second the amendment. I wish to share my time with Senator Phelan.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: The former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, was known as the Minister for zero tolerance. The Minister for Finance should be renamed Minister for zero credibility. In April he told us everything was going brilliantly in the economy. In June we heard leaks about €900 million in cutbacks. He denied that the leaks were true and said that in fact matters were...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: I had assumed the Minister would put mortgage interest relief measures into the budget, but I am disappointed with his mediocre attempt. When the truth behind the first-time buyer's scheme is exposed, there will be a huge outcry. The children's allowance measures are regrettable. The Minister promised a lot and has not delivered. The allowance is being increased not by €38, as was expected,...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: Depending on the number of children and the child's position in the family.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: There has been no change in medical card limits, about which, as public representatives, we have all received complaints. We were told there would be changes, but nothing was announced today. That is a disappointment. Only a very modest increase in carer's allowance was given, although carers do fantastic work for the State. They have been rewarded badly in this budget. The increase in the...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

Fergal Browne: I questioned the tactics of the Department.