Results 121-140 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: No, but pharmacists have achieved their qualifications in different ways. A significant number attended college and obtained a degree in pharmacy before working in the industry but some entered the industry many years ago having taken a different route, especially those in hospital pharmacies.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: From the information I have been given, people who work in hospital pharmacies may have different qualifications. Will their qualifications and experience be recognised by the new body? The pharmacy industry has a good system in place in New Zealand. Pharmacists sit down with their patients to discuss the prescribed medicine and how it should be taken. It is all fair and well for a doctor...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I agree with what other speakers said about the Pharmacy Bill. I understand the Minister for Health and Children is to bring forward amendments which are not available.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: The amendments, which will have a bearing on us tabling amendments, are not yet available to us. Serious issues are contained in the Bill. When will the Government amendments be available? I presume we can table our amendments before 11 a.m. tomorrow instead. If we do not get through all the amendments on Thursday, could we defer the Bill until next week? It is a very important Bill and...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I wish to share my time with Senators John Paul Phelan and Bradford.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I am sure the Minister would prefer to be outside smoking a cigarette rather than having to listen to me.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: As the Minister is from Waterford, the frequency of rail services for Carlow has improved. However, the quality of and overcrowding in the carriages leaves much to be desired. I welcome the proposal to construct a motorway between Dublin and Waterford which will link in Carlow. How many of the landowners affected by the proposal have had their compensation finalised? Some have explained...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I had a head-on collision with a bus some years ago.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: Why is it on the M50 that when a car crash happens, the whole motorway comes to a standstill? It is time to have a rapid response unit to such motor crashes. While the priority should be to rescue injured people, if no one is injured, the traffic should be quickly cleared. It is frustrating to be stuck in a four-mile tailback when all that happened was a car was rear-ended. For minor...

Seanad: Education System: Motion (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State. I have great pleasure in seconding this motion and will deal with certain aspects of it. The schools building programme is lacking in accountability and transparency. I undertook the survey to which Senator Ulick Burke referred out of frustration, having asked the Minister for Education and Science three questions on the status of schools buildings projects...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: What about democracy?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: A lady who had been deported called into my office a few weeks ago. I was puzzled as to why she was in my office if she had been deported.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I was amazed to learn that 2,400 people have been deported from the State and that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform admitted that he had no idea if any of them are back in the country. In addition to this, I read in a newspaper report that 7,000 people are evading deportation orders. One must remember the cost involved. A total of €9 million is spent flying these people...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I support Senator Bannon's call for a debate on improving services. I was amazed to learn last week that the Minister for Finance took in more than €500 million in VAT on telecommunications. The consumer is not getting value for money. Although the telecommunications companies are privatised, the Oireachtas still has a role in ensuring there is a certain level of service. Being required...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: Yes, it was a change of Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I spoke of having the same standards in hospitals as apply in the food industry.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Fergal Browne: I spoke merely of applying the same standards.

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. I will deputise for Senator Finucane who cannot be here. Fine Gael welcomes this Bill. However, we note it was originally mooted for October 2004. It ironic to have an energy Bill which is already three years behind schedule. The Bill seeks to establish the National Oil Reserves Agency as a stand alone non-commercial State...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Following on from Senator Ross's homily, I am sure he will agree we need to look at extending votes to all university graduates, including graduates from DCU, but that is for another debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes on the need to fill vacancies in the health service. I was amazed to learn recently at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that some staff in the health service need only give one months' notice. I suggested it should be extended to at least three months and that people should not be allowed to leave their jobs until they have been filled....