Results 281-300 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne
- Seanad: Leas Cross Nursing Home Report: Statements (29 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: Let us return to 2001.
- Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: On today's Order of Business I raised a hobbyhorse of mine, the need for the Government to address VAT on fuel bills. Last year, the Government took in â¬233 million in VAT receipts on domestic gas and electricity bills. We pay a VAT rate of 13.5% on our fuel bills, while in the UK and Northern Ireland consumers pay only a 5% rate. While we have no control over oil and other energy...
- Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: It is an energy issue and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources would be leading the way if it tackled this issue. For the first time ever on the doorsteps I am hearing complaints about the VAT rate on fuel bills. I never paid too much attention to my ESB or gas bill but now I do. I agree with Senator MacSharry on a VRT waiver for hybrid cars. The Government, to be...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I wish the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, well in her pending retirement.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I understand she is retiring on Friday week and may not again come before the House in the interim.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: On my Adjournment matterââ
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I am dealing with it now.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: This matter relates to the accident and emergency unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. The Minister for Health and Children visited the hospital last week and spoke about it leading the way and setting an example for other hospitals throughout the country. She is quoted as informing the Cabinet with regard to the latter. Unfortunately, the hospital is not receiving the rewards it...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services. (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I reiterate that construction will not commence until 2008. That is far too long to wait. I ask the Minister of State to intervene to see if the commencement date can be brought forward. The authorities at Wexford hospital invited television crews to film at its A&E unit and its redevelopment was fast-tracked as a result. However, St. Luke's appears to have been punished for playing by...
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: We know that the Nice Treaty referendum failed the first time and if the European Union is to make silly rules about travelling such as Senator Norris outlines, people will vote against the European Union in any other referendum. This is true in particular of farmers who have received their manuals on the nitrates directive. The manual is apparently very detailed and complex and is not...
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: Oil prices are beyond our control but we can control VAT charged on gas and ESB bills. I agree with Senator Ryan about roadworks. I listened to Joe Duffy's show on radio last Thursday when there were young people with babies stuck in their cars for three or four hours, and diabetics without the proper medicine. It was scandalous that traffic came to a halt for three or four hours and in...
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: A leading consultant yesterday raised serious questions about the use of so-called beds in accident and emergency units which apparently are not beds.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: Concern is also being expressed about patients being transferred from accident and emergency units into day wards, which is massaging the figures. We need the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to update Members on exactly what is happening in accident and emergency units. People are raising questions and I do not have confidence in the Health Service Executive.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: Has the Leader seen the manuals?
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: Why did a leading consultant query the information provided?
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: The use of PPS numbers is the solution.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: People are continually moving house.
- Seanad: Schools Refurbishment (22 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Perhaps he has not been to the promised land of Carlow as often as he should but if he goes to Old Leighlin, he will see a fantastic community hall based in a magnificent old cathedral in the middle of a small, rural parish. It is one of the best examples of a community hall in the entire country and it was built by local people. It has...
- Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: I reiterate my call for a debate on No. 20 on the Order Paper concerning MRSA and blood infections in hospitals. Last week was significant because on Friday last, for the first time, a coroner's court listed MRSA as a cause of death. A coroner's court in Belfast reached the same verdict yesterday regarding a 43 year old man who, unfortunately, did not recover from an accident at work...
- Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)
Fergal Browne: What does Senator Morrissey say?