Results 1-11 of 11 for freedom of information speaker:Colm Burke

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (18 May 2022)

Colm Burke: 187. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that general practitioners and the public can only access hospital policies via a freedom of information request; when this decision was made; when his Department and the HSE made this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25030/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Regulation of Nursing Homes and Development of a New Model of Care for Older People: Discussion (23 Mar 2021)

Colm Burke: It would be helpful if we could have the exact figures for what is expected to be completed by December 2021 and if we knew how it is proposed to deal with people. According to the last set of figures I have seen, there are more than 5,500 people in public nursing homes. I am not sure how many are affected by not having a suitable physical environment for long-stay individuals. Maybe we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Radio Broadcasting (6 Mar 2019)

Colm Burke: Community and local radio stations play an important role in this country by providing information, giving local news and dealing with issues as they arise in the community. They give opportunities to people to express views and while Members may not agree with them, there is freedom of expression in this country. It is important that there should be a fair and balanced approach to how...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Colm Burke: In fairness, the Minister of State has outlined where he is coming from within the Government and his Department, and that is about the visibility and making sure that what is passed in the House can be implemented in full within a timeframe. The Minister of State has outlined the three key issues that he wants to move forward with. With regard to the whole sign language area we need to set...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the delegates for their comprehensive presentations which I very much appreciate. I return to the budget of €1.68 billion for disability services. Is that money coming from the health budget or from a number of Departments? There is a health budget of approximately €14 billion. I am not sure whether the sum of €1.68 billion is part of that budget or the social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (17 May 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and all the work of their various organisations in giving support to people with disabilities. In his presentation, Mr. Brian O'Donnell referred to the education system. One of the issues I have come across over the past few months is the difference between the primary and secondary education systems. While there are a lot of supports at...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Colm Burke: My question asked for details of what funding was allocated but there were no such details in the Minister of State's reply, with which I am disappointed. My understanding is that €10 million was allocated to one project but €4.5 million was returned to the Department, something to which the Minister did not refer in her reply. I asked her to publish details of all housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: (Resumed) Alcohol Research Group (12 Mar 2015)

Colm Burke: ...must take it very seriously. Our attitude towards drinking was summed up to me in the past week when I spoke to somebody who had returned from holidays. Half an hour into the flight, the crew of the aircraft asked for medical assistance from among the passengers, and when a medical person went to help, it turned out that the person requiring help was a passenger suffering from...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the announcement made yesterday by the Minister for Health that the cost of drugs will be reduced in the next three years. The total cost savings will be in the order of ¤400 million. In 2000 the cost of medication and drugs was ¤573 million. By 2010 this figure had increased to ¤1.894 billion, an increase of over 230%. I raise an issue of concern. I submitted a freedom of...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2012)

Colm Burke: ...colleague, Senator Denis O'Donovan, on An Taisce. The Senator is correct that the same rules should be applied to An Taisce as to other organisations and that it should come within the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Some years ago in Cork the taxpayer had to pick up the €20 million in additional costs incurred when a project in which the State was involved was delayed as...

Seanad: Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: ...Minister to the House. I also welcome the students who have joined us in the Visitors' Gallery. I hope the debate relates to their careers and that in the not too distant future we will see some of them as part of the medical profession here, able to practise in this country. This new Bill gives the right to practise to those who meet the required criteria. The restrictions that were...