Results 161-180 of 1,886 for speaker:Fergal Browne

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

Fergal Browne: The Minister might give way. This legislation reminds me of the nursing homes fiasco, where legislation was rushed through the House and ended up being referred to the Supreme Court. If, with us having passed a motion for earlier signature, the President were to refuse to sign the legislation, what would happen? Would it be complete chaos? She has done so in the past on health legislation.

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

Fergal Browne: We are in favour of risk equalisation but there are different ways of implementing it. In Australia it was applied only in respect of 65 year olds. As far as I am aware BUPA accepts the principle but disagrees as to the payment involved. EU Commissioner Mr. McCreevy also has major concerns, as does the Minister, which is why she is awaiting three reports, from the Competition Authority,...

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

Fergal Browne: Why not break up the VHI?

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

Fergal Browne: When will the VHI be broken up?

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

Fergal Browne: What happens if it leaves?

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: How many extra packages have been provided?

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Is that 5,000 extra places?

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: And Waterford as well.

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: The financial limits are too low. If these limits are changed, more people will apply.

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Why not make them exempt from VAT?

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Why are they subject to VAT? Why do people have to fund raise for them?

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: That is per month.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I ask that the Minister for Transport come to the House to explain what exactly the taxpayers and commuters are getting when he speaks about buying out the toll bridge? It appears to me they are being charged on the double, having been ripped off for many years. To put this in context and given that he intends to hand over €620 million, yesterday the Carlow-Dublin train service was...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I have. Today we learned of the taxi signs that were written in braille. First, the braille was incorrect and, second, it caused the windows to jam in taxis and they are now being taken away.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: It is important that the Minister comes to the House for a debate. On the issue of traffic and road safety——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Recently in Carlow the drugs squad has been disbanded because the traffic corps is being strengthened. Nobody in the House ever wished to see the traffic corps strengthened at the expense of other services.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: We need to ask the Minister to ensure the traffic corps is not strengthened at the expense of other services.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: He is responsible for taxi signs.

Seanad: Seirbhísí do Dhaoine Óga (15 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Seans go bhfuil a fhios aige go bhfuil gaelscoil agus gaelcholáiste i gCeatharlach, agus ba mhaith le roinnt de na daltaí go mbunófaí áiteanna speisialta le haghaidh daoine óga ionas go mbeidís ábalta dul ann agus spraoi a bheith acu agus iad ag labhairt Gaeilge. Tá an laghdú atá ag teacht ar an méid Gaeilge a labhraíonn daoine óga go huafásach...

Seanad: Hospital Infections: Motion (14 Feb 2007)

Fergal Browne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. In my closing contribution on the motion, I refer to points made by Senator Leyden about the elimination of MRSA. I do not think it is a question of eliminating MRSA but, instead, recognising we have it, that we can reduce the incidence of it as other countries have done, and that it must be managed, which is key. MRSA...