Results 141-160 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I received a one-line reply from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government stating that it had no plans to look at the issue, which is one we should examine. Everyone could do this in their homes and it would cut back on the demand for water. In Carlow, water is turned off between midnight and 7 a.m. because of a lack of water pressure. No doubt that occurs in other...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: The Minister, Deputy Harney, was adamant it was not a Government Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Like Garda stations.

Seanad: National Monuments (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: The largest dolmen and capstone in Europe is situated in Carlow. It is a megalithic tomb dating back to the first inhabitants of the country, making it a great deal older than any of us in this House. I was delighted to see a new interpretative centre opened at the Cliffs of Moher recently. While I do not seek the same in Carlow, we need to enhance considerably the facilities at the...

Seanad: National Monuments (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Yes, it is an amazing place. The oldest yew trees in the country form a beautiful walkway there. There are numerous other historical sites in the county. There is great potential in using the dolmen as the focal point for a centre which could highlight the other historical treasures in the Carlow-south Kildare region. We need to follow the excellent example of the Cliffs of Moher. I...

Seanad: National Monuments (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: In that case he will understand the attraction of these sites. Despite the inadequate facilities, hundreds of tourists come every year to see the dolmen. We have no idea of the exact numbers but people from Germany and elsewhere come to see it because they are so in awe of the structure. The good news is that Carlow County Council has plans to purchase compulsorily the land around the area....

Seanad: National Monuments (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I will send the Minister of State some photographs of it.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I thank the Senators for their interest in and contributions to the Bill. As Senator Fitzgerald said, some of the amendments that made improvements to the Bill came from Senators. I am sure they will agree that this legislation is vital to the future of the communications sector in Ireland and that its provisions will promote competition in the sector to the benefit of consumers. I also...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: A number of questions remain to be answered after last night. During the debate the Minister admitted that the reason she was acting was a threat by VIVAS Health to pull out of the market and let the company be taken over. She also admitted that the December court case forced her hand. Why was this legislation not introduced in January? Why wait two months? The Minister also admitted...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: A Chathaoirligh, this is extremely relevant to the 400,000 customers and 350 employees, or former employees, of BUPA Ireland. We are entitled to ask questions. Last night I asked the Minister if there was a need for an independent financial analysis of VHI. We hear rumours that it is in trouble. It is time that was clarified. The Minister has spoken about breaking up the VHI in the past...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Good. They kept referring to the Dáil and one would think the Seanad did not exist. We should debate the issue raised by Senator O'Toole and Senator Fitzgerald, the standards of teaching. However, our attention should be focused on the teaching colleges and the relevance of their courses. I have a B. Ed. degree but I was never taught how to fill in a roll book. When we reflect on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: They said the opposite outside the Chamber afterwards. I overheard them.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: The advice was clearly wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: She was not in the House for three hours in the afternoon.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: As the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, indicated on Committee Stage on Tuesday, section 8 was the subject of further consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The legal advice is that it would be more prudent to delete section 8 in its entirety and therefore amendment No. 2 no longer applies.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: It is not proposed to accept this amendment. In a fast-changing dynamic industry such as the electronic communications sector it is important to be able to legislate in a timely manner.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Senators raised the issue of delays in bringing forward primary legislation to give effect to the changes required for effective implementation in this sector on Second Stage. The new powers proposed under section 46A will enable the Minister to implement any changes to the regulatory framework in a timely fashion and to provide for effective penalties for serious breaches of that framework....

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: The Office of the Attorney General approved the text of the Bill as drafted and it proposed this mechanism for dealing with the matter.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (22 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: This is a textual amendment made by the Parliamentary Counsel to ensure consistency throughout the section.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I will share time with Senator Bradford. We are very upset on this side of the House as this is bad legislation.