Results 401-420 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: ——or input into the source of that stem cell research. We should have a debate in the early autumn on this important issue. One person whose views on the matter we must hear is the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. We now have a report from the commission. We are due a report from the Oireachtas health committee shortly. It is now time for action on this matter. There is no...

Seanad: A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland: Statements. (28 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. His speech was good but it reminded me of someone about to paint a room, it filled a lot of cracks. The opening paragraph of the report states that 20,000 Irish people develop cancer every year and 7,500 die from the disease. One in four people will die from cancer and 60% of cancer patients die within five years of diagnosis. Cancer incidence...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I repeat the call made yesterday about the urgent need for a debate next week on the compensation package for the sugar beet industry. It will be decided in July and it will be vital that the Minister gives us her views and hears what we have to say so a good decision can be reached.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. I recently called to a constituent who explained that her daughter was born with a serious birth defect. She literally requires 24-hour care, seven days a week. She made a simple point to me. In her case, where she must constantly supervise her child, would it not make more sense for her to be given extended paid maternity...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I would like to make two quick points.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I know that, but I would like to make two quick points. The Minister of State referred to babies being hospitalised and the payment being temporarily suspended. My case refers to a child taken out of hospital and based at home who still requires round-the-clock care. The scheme is based on stamps, but the person may not have the necessary stamps. If someone is to look after her baby at home...

Seanad: National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: Some counties have not benefited.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I plead with the Leader to arrange a debate next week on compensation for beet growers, on which a decision is due in the middle of July. I have no qualms in saying I have no confidence in the Minister for Agriculture and Food on this issue. She has shown herself to have been totally inept in this area from day one despite her having been warned about it in October 2004 when she became...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: On a point of order, he did not answer it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: What he said was that he was happy with it and he gave us no information.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: What about the life expectancy of this Government?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: It is not necessarily a lie. It is very hard to get a new doctor.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I remarked, however, that the report revealed a number of problems.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I also called for debate on the sugar beet sector.

Seanad: National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I apologise for the absence of my colleague Senator Feighan who cannot be here for the start of the debate. Fine Gael welcomes the establishment of the national sports campus development authority on a statutory basis. It is appropriate that Ireland has such a facility, given our great love of sport. A day or two after the 2002 general election, which was not a good one for Fine Gael, people...

Seanad: National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: It might not have required that storm to do the damage.

Seanad: National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I know. The Minister of State should not shoot the messenger.

Seanad: National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: That may well be the case but, according to the report, exceptional storm conditions need not have been present for this damage to occur. I am simply referring to what is stated in the report. The report found that the roof failed due to lack of resistance to the wind suction forces which were exerted on the day of the storm. Those forces did not exceed those which can be estimated for design...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I thank Senator Glynn for his comments and the Minister of State and his officials for their help and explanations during the debate on the Bill. I welcome the passing of the Bill, although I have reservations about some aspects. We will all watch with keen interest the outcome of the court cases concerning those who were forced to go down the private route, who tried but were unable to get a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2006)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator Ó Murchú on the role of the Christian Brothers in schools. I was amazed when I recently learned that almost 3,000 primary schools in the country are not in the ownership of the State. They are mainly in the ownership of different religious orders. They account for approximately 90% of schools, which is a significant proportion. We are vulnerable in one way, as when...