Results 541-560 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Diabetes Policy: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and compliment Senator Glynn for his persistence in this matter. Every week he has sought a debate on this topic and tonight he has been accommodated. I also compliment Senator Henry for her well chosen words. She might follow Deputy Twomey's example, leave the Independent benches and join Fine Gael now that we are on our way up and heading for...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Fergal Browne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tááthas orm labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Is rud maith é go bhfuil díospóireacht againn sa Seanad anocht maidir le múineadh na Gaeilge. Tá sé riachtanach go bhfuil díospóireacht againn mar tá fadbh ann. Ar lámh amháin, tá na Gaelscoileanna ag meadú ach ar an lámh eile tá a lán de na dáltaí ag fagáil scoile gan iad abálta an...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Fergal Browne: Ní dúirt ach ceann amháin de na múinteoirí aon rud faoi bhás an teanga. Freisin, dúirt siad gur mheasadar nár mhaith an rud é an Ghaeilge a bheith éigeantach go dtí leibhéal na hárdteiste. Is soiléir go bhfuil fimíneacht ann maidir leis an nGaeilge. Faoí láthair, níl scrúdú béil sa teastas sóisearach. Is é mo thuairim go gcaithimid é seo a athrú gan mhoill. Ní...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Fergal Browne: Will Mr. Dunlop read it?

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Fergal Browne: I agree with what Senator O'Toole said about the new penalty point offences introduced. There are two major omissions in the 31 offences listed, one being the use of mobile phones. A Bill covering this issue passed Second Stage in the Dáil but I got the impression that the Minister responsible will drag his heels on progressing it. That Bill should be brought forward to Committee and...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: It has been raised on the Adjournment.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator John Paul Phelan. We are blue in the face raising this matter. Why was it ruled out of order? Was it because of the possible cost implications?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: Can I take it that this amendment would have been accepted in the Dáil?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: It is not.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: With all due respect to Senator Mansergh, at meetings I have attended it was suggested that the way to rectify this wrong is through an amendment to the Finance Bill. That is what we are trying to find out today. We are aware that the Seanad has limited powers in terms of amending the Finance Bill but could this have been done on Committee Stage in the Dáil? Will the Minister give a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: ——and trade unionists all say they heard this. Will the Minister take on board the points we have made today on this issue and do something in next year's Finance Bill? Who does he believe, the Tánaiste or his back bench colleagues?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: It is not immaterial; it is a very relevant point.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: Can I have a chance to respond?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: The Minister has spoken at length on it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: He never answered the question on whether this issue could have been dealt with when the Bill was going through the Dáil.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: I have no problem at all. That is outrageous.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (29 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to the House. I hoped the Minister for Education and Science would be here, but I am sure Deputy Brennan will pass on my comments to her. Ardattin national school was a small two-teacher school but following an explosion in attendance it now has three teachers and has consequently applied for a devolved grant to build on a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials, both in the House and in the antechamber. When we considered the Finance Bill two years ago I was amazed to learn there were so many Department of Finance officials both in the antechamber and in the House. Perhaps it is a reflection on the Seanad that they travel in such numbers. I was glad I heard the last few minutes of contributions....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: The State was founded by Cumann na nGael, which laid the foundation stone in very difficult times.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Fergal Browne: The Blueshirts were there and fought for free speech when others tried to stop them from speaking. That is a different argument. The Government genuinely feels that the Opposition is incapable of running the country.