Results 101-120 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

Fergal Browne: We are being constructive.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. As a child of the EU – I was born in 1973 – I wish to hear from him how he would make the EU relevant to my generation, members of which have grown up in the EU and do not know any life outside it. It remains a challenge for all of us, when we speak to people under 30 years of age, to explain what life was like before the EU and...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: No.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It is outrageous that we are debating the Bill at this hour. I ask the Leader to use her common sense.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Government side has stopped contributing to the debate.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It makes a mockery of the role of the Seanad as a debating Chamber when only Members on one side are making contributions to the debate. It is outrageous. The last four contributions have been made by Fine Gael Members. Members of the Fianna Fáil Party appear to have lost their tongues. We were elected to the Seanad to voice concerns about legislation, but Members on the Government side are...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It is relevant. Earlier tonight, I researched the debate on the Freedom of Information Act. Deputy O'Donnell spoke of her regret that the Official Secrets Act had not been repealed when the original legislation was being passed. She said there was little point in announcing a principle of openness and access to information if everything sensitive to the authorities can be excluded by way of...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The proposal regarding the exemption of the records of Cabinet deliberations is outrageous, particularly when the public depends on information leaked to the newspapers. The Government is expert at leaking information, especially against its own members. Senator Maurice Hayes referred to this. It is embarrassing that when the Government is concerned about concealing information, it engages in...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I am looking forward to hearing them speak and debate this issue. Aristotle said that it is through the clash and collision of ideas that things get sorted. It is not healthy in any democracy to have only one side offer its views. We need to hear both sides. We will certainly oppose this Bill.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The silence was deafening.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: He is in the other House.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for being here a second time. He is acknowledged on this side of the House for his courtesy and manners in attending the continuation of the debate. I agree with Senator Jim Walsh's last point regarding councillors who are in office for years.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Leader of the House referred to the fact that she had got just £2.58 for her first few council meetings. There is no doubt that many councillors served for years on local authorities and got very little for it. It cost them dearly, both financially and in their family life. I am thinking of County Cork where councillors travel 100 miles from Castletownbere to attend county council meetings.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I was not aware of it until I embarked on the Seanad campaign.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: It would be appropriate if something could be done for councillors who have given long public service. The words "public service" are very important. The amount involved is not important. What is important, however, is the fact that they should be acknowledged for their service during the years when there was no pay, very poor expenses and much inconvenience both to their family and personal...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: There were plenty of them. There is a system in place in Australia which we should consider. How we would implement it is another question, but I believe there would be cross-party support for it in the House. It would encourage people to vote and would explain why they should do so. In England, a turnout of 20% is expected in the forthcoming local elections. We might be more democratic if we...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: That is a generous gesture. The agendas are already available on websites, but I would be more interested in the outcomes of meetings. I would be interested to know what decisions were made. Why are city and county managers so keen to see Oireachtas Members off the councils? Do they perceive us as a threat because we have a fair idea about legislation passing through the Houses? Oireachtas...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: I was thinking of my constituency colleague.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: Senator Ryan spoke about people going back to education and having a second chance. It is important to realise that some people do not even get a first chance in education. Will the Leader clarify when she plans to take the excellent motion by the Independent group, No. 12 on the Order Paper, which urges the Government to provide adequate occupational and speech therapy on an ongoing basis...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Fergal Browne: The Leader should invite the Minister for Education and Science into the House for a debate on the matter.