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

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: We want them placed in sealed containers outside churches and youth centres.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I accept the Chair's ruling on my amendment, but the point I was trying to make, which could apply to this section, is the cost to the consumer who might avail of this service and the need to control the cost.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I apologise. It is Senator Leyden's Bill. I was trying to get across the idea that there would be some minimum or maximum charges involved so that those involved who wish to make a will would not end up paying extortionate amounts of money or wishing to have their will centrally recorded. Perhaps Senator Leyden would like to comment on this.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following subsection: "(4) (a) Nothing in this Act shall be used to disqualify, prevent, or otherwise impede an Irish citizen who is resident outside the State, from registering his or her will in accordance with the provisions of this Act, (b) Insofar as the provisions of this Act shall apply and subject to the laws of...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: The amendment allows people who make their will abroad to register it centrally.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I accept what Senator Leyden is saying. It would be easier to enact the Bill and then amend the position at a later date. When the scheme is up an running and, I hope, proves to be a great success, I hope it will be extended. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs recently made changes to the free travel scheme in order that it might apply to those who have been living abroad for many...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: Is the Minister of State indicating that if the Bill, as it stands, is enacted, an Irish citizen who has made a will outside the State will be able to register it centrally?

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: Will a system of fines be put in place regarding breaches of the privacy of will records? I hope such breaches would not occur. Has Senator Leyden given consideration to the sanctions to be imposed if a breach occurs?

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I move amendment No. 11: In page 11, to delete lines 4 and 5 and substitute the following: "Section 70 of the Act of 2004 is amended— (1) by the insertion of the following after subsection (1): (1A)(a) All fines under subsection (1) shall be index-linked to the annual inflation rate as set by the European Central Bank, and such fines shall be altered accordingly on the 1st of January each...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I compliment Senator Leyden and his staff on the preparation of this excellent Bill. That the Senator has exercised his right to produce a Private Members' Bill is an inspiration for the rest of us. If the working group on pre-nuptial agreements has its report ready by 31 March and the House is still in session, I hope to table a Private Members' Bill on pre-nuptial agreements which is...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I hope I get as honest a backing as I gave to this Bill. It is important to acknowledge the role Senator Leyden and the Leader have played in facilitating this important Bill. It is important from three points of view. First, people are wealthier and have assets they would not have had in the past and, second, people are more mobile and on average move every 11 years. There is potential...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: One member of the family decided to sell the farm and another member did not react well. When the land was purchased by a third party, he was shot dead. His brother escaped with his life by a whisker. The person who carried out the shooting then committed suicide. That is the stark reality of not making a will. Everyone owes it to his or her family to make a will. There should be no...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: It should be allowed on the day that is in it.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I join in congratulating the new Minister of State, Deputy Haughey. Will the Leader ask him to urgently consider the scandal in the National Educational Psychological Scheme? The Leader might be interested to note that in her own constituency and that of Senator Bannon, Longford-Roscommon, there is 0% coverage in secondary schools, which is incredible. In the primary school sector, Carlow...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: Half of the population has private health insurance and is willing to take out cover for dental or medical expenses. It could be extended to include nursing homes.

Seanad: Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: Can I ask about the VHI and nursing homes?

Seanad: Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. If the House agrees, I wish to share my time with Senator Finucane.

Seanad: Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: The one political issue about which I have changed my mind is the need to plan ahead. Care for the elderly is an integral part of that concept. When I worked as a teacher, I took for granted the fact that I would have a nice pension on retirement. Many older people find themselves in nursing homes and, consequently, under severe financial hardship. The Bill is designed to place the...

Seanad: Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (7 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I raised this question because during the Kildare by-election I was taken to task on the doorstep by a lady involved in home care. I promised to check it out for her and the reply I received said that everything was perfect. However, that lady, who was involved in providing the home-care service, was adamant that the hours had been cut. I am confused about that point. Deputy Twomey took...

Seanad: Pre-nuptial Agreements. (6 Dec 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. On 18 October last, we had a good debate here on this serious topic. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, agreed with the main thrust of the debate, which was, the idea of clarifying the current status of pre-nuptial agreements in Irish law and looking at the effect of their...