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<title>John Perry - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:21+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.487.0&amp;m=744#g488.10">
	<title>Hospital Services. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.487.0&amp;m=744#g488.10</link>
	<description>The issue of cancer care services for the north west will not go away.  The HSE has established what it calls a transition team to plan for the removal of cancer care services from Sligo General...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="488.2">The issue of cancer care services for the north west will not go away.  The HSE has established what it calls a transition team to plan for the removal of cancer care services from Sligo General Hospital, while at the same time oncology professionals in the hospital are refusing to co-operate with the transition proposals.  This is a matter of serious concern to the people of the north west and one to which the Minister must give immediate attention.</p><p pid="488.3">To anybody who has taken even a most cursory interest in the strategy to transfer cancer services out of Sligo General Hospital, the current position will not come as a surprise.  The original decision to propose the transfer of cancer care from Sligo Hospital was wrong.  It ranks among the worst decisions taken by the Fianna FĂˇil-led Government and its Minister for Health and Children whose legacy as a public representative it will tarnish.</p><p pid="488.4">The strategy being implemented means there will be no comprehensive cancer care service north of a line extending from Galway to Dublin.  Equity of access cannot be delivered by ignoring geography.  It is unacceptable to the people of the region that the present strategy ignores the breast cancer care needs of the population north of this line.</p><p pid="488.5">The case for transferring cancer care services from hospitals with a small workload does not apply to Sligo, as the facts show.  It is validated, for instance, by the current volume of breast cancer cases treated at the hospital.  Sligo General Hospital expects to report more than 110 new breast cancer cases and more than 90 breast cancer surgical procedures in 2009.  The hospital has a dedicated clinical team with top class breast cancer expertise.  The results prove the hospital is already achieving outcomes to match world class standards.  The argument for closing down cancer care centres with a small caseload clearly does not apply to Sligo Hospital.  This is an important issue for Sligo and a huge protest is planned in the town tomorrow.</p><p pid="488.6">Since the strategy was first announced, I have called on the Minister to provide specific scientific references to justify the transfer of cancer care services from Sligo.  On each occasion I have issued this call, she has referred me to a list of articles on the Internet.  This is not acceptable.  The Minister cannot provide precise scientific references to justify the removal of cancer care services from Sligo Hospital because such references do not exist.</p><p pid="488.7">The people of the region are completely opposed to the proposed transfer.  Several weeks ago I personally delivered, on behalf of the team doing effective work on the issue, a petition of 50,000 signatures to Government Buildings, providing clear evidence of the outrage felt by people in the region.  Since the announcement of the strategy to consolidate cancer care services, I have argued the case for the retention and development of cancer care services at Sligo General Hospital.</p><p pid="488.8">The oncology medical personnel are still fully committed to keeping breast cancer services in Sligo.  They have also confirmed that they are not, and will not form, part of the transition team.  I compliment the medical team at the hospital on its dedication and commitment.  This is not a political argument as the medical team has justified the retention of the excellent service it provides.  Oncology professionals at Sligo General Hospital are taking practical action to oppose the transfer of cancer care services from the hospital because they believe the development of the present service is the strategy that is in the best interests of patients in the region.  Their action has not been initiated lightly, nor is it motivated by professional territorial protection considerations. It is clear to anybody who speaks or listens to the oncology professionals in Sligo that their sole interest is what is in the best interests of the patients.  They know an excellent service is being provided in a cost-effective manner by Sligo hospital and that it should be retained.  They understand the resources and facilities to ensure patients receive access to the best possible care are already in place in Sligo.</p><p pid="488.9">As the Fine Gael TD for the constituency which is impacted most by the proposed transfer of services, I fully support the view that retaining breast cancer services at Sligo hospital is in the best interests of patients and I applaud the oncology professionals on their principled and dedicated commitment and the courageous stance they are taking in not supporting the transition team.</p><p pid="488.10">The proposed plan to transfer these services is opposed by the people of this region, as shown in 50,000 signatures delivered to the Taoiseach, by most public representatives and, most important, by the oncology professionals in the hospital and the more than 75 family doctors living in the catchment area of Sligo hospital.  I again call on the Government to take decisive action in support of the retention and development of breast cancer services in Sligo hospital.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.995.0&amp;m=744#g1032.0">
	<title>Public Finances: Motion | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.995.0&amp;m=744#g1032.0</link>
	<description>I thank Deputies Bruton and O&acirc;€™Donnell for tabling this motion on the state of the public finances.  This gives us the opportunity to point out that the Government&acirc;€™s finance decisions make for...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1032.1">I thank Deputies Bruton and Oâ€™Donnell for tabling this motion on the state of the public finances.  This gives us the opportunity to point out that the Governmentâ€™s finance decisions make for foolish economics and make the unemployment situation even worse.</p><p pid="1032.2">I refer to the specific issue of the Governmentâ€™s proposed cut in the number of undergraduate nursing education places.  Speaking in the DĂˇil on 26 February during an Adjournment debate, I stated that the proposed cut in the number of undergraduate nursing education places was short-sighted.  In the course of the reply, the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, stated that the reduction of 310 places in nursing training will result in savings of â‚¬1.65 million in 2009 and â‚¬3.3 million in 2010.  Using the figures of the Minister of State, the proposed saving per trainee is approximately â‚¬5,200 in 2009 and â‚¬10,600 in 2010.</p><p pid="1032.3">In justifying the proposed cutbacks, the Minister of State referred to an OECD report that indicates that Ireland has a large number of practising nurses.  Ireland has twice the OECD average and the Minister of State referred to approving a strategic review of nursing degree programmes.  The review is designed to provide systematic analysis and if this debate took place last year we could debate the merits of the strategy within the framework outlined.  However, we must deal with the reality of this issue in 2009 when the country is in an economic crisis.  The Taoiseach stated that we are in â€śthe most severe global economic and financial conditions for a centuryâ€ť.  That indicates the starkness of the situation.  Last week the unemployment statistics showed that the number of people out of work increased by 70,000, to 170,600, in the final quarter of 2008.  This week, the CSO indicates that the number of people on the live register stands at 353,000 at the end of February.</p><p pid="1032.4">This summer there will be 54,000 leaving certificate students who will seek training opportunities at third level and job vacancies.  In the good times, approximately one third of these leaving certificate students would have entered the labour force, but that is unlikely on this occasion.  In the economic crisis we are facing, we must concentrate on the essentials.  Education, to secure a better future, must be one of the priorities in preparation for the recovery phase.  As we continue into a period of rapidly rising unemployment, we must maximise investment in job-related education and training.  Education must be our priority, as must training for those leaving second level education this year and next year.  We cannot have future work prospects diminished by foolish economics and budgetary misallocation.</p><p pid="1032.5">Cutting the number of nursing training places is a short-sighted and misguided proposal.  According to the Minister, the cost of 310 nursing places is â‚¬10,600 and the welfare benefit is â‚¬10,400.  The real gain is insignificant and I ask the Government to reverse the proposed reduction in the number of nursing education places.  Given the scale of the job losses sweeping the country we should expand the number of nursing education places, not reduce them.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.995.0&amp;m=744#g1030.0">
	<title>Public Finances: Motion | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.995.0&amp;m=744#g1030.0</link>
	<description>Deputy Bannon set out a major agenda.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1030.1">Deputy Bannon set out a major agenda.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.456.0&amp;m=744#g457.7">
	<title>Nursing Education. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.456.0&amp;m=744#g457.7</link>
	<description>This issue is of national importance and is critical to St. Angela&acirc;€™s College in Sligo.  I have great admiration for those who choose a career in the medical and caring professions.  It is a...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="457.2">This issue is of national importance and is critical to St. Angelaâ€™s College in Sligo.  I have great admiration for those who choose a career in the medical and caring professions.  It is a most noble and worthy career path and marks these individuals out as true custodians of our health and well-being.  Graduates from the general nursing programme in St. Angelaâ€™s College are employed locally, regionally and nationally in both private hospitals and the HSE.  In addition, all the graduates of the intellectual disability nursing programme have secured employment in local and regional services.  I have no doubt every nursing graduate from St. Angelaâ€™s College becomes an outstanding health care professional.</p><p pid="457.3">The proposed cuts in nursing places will lead to a reduction in the number of graduates available to the health service in the region and nationwide.  The Ministerâ€™s proposed cuts will mean the number of places on the bachelor of nursing science degree programme will be reduced by 310 from 1,880 to 1,570 in the forthcoming year.  The intake to St. Angelaâ€™s College will be reduced from 65 to 40 places annually, a 31% reduction in nursing places offered by the college.  This reduction is one of the highest in the country, with the intellectual disability nursing programme being particularly hard hit, with a 40% reduction in places.  General nursing will suffer a 25% reduction in places and the western region, particularly St. Angelaâ€™s College, is being severely hit by these cuts.</p><p pid="457.4">Cutting the number of nurse training and education places is a short-sighted proposal.  A shortage of nurses exists at European and global level.  Cuts to undergraduate nursing numbers will make this problem worse and will have a long-term negative impact on the Irish health care system.  From recent history we know that if we cut the number of nurses in training, within a few years there will be a shortage of qualified nurses.  In response, international recruitment will be required to meet the needs of the Irish health service.  This is a more expensive solution than continuing to educate nurses and maintaining a steady nursing work-force.</p><p pid="457.5">Education and training of nurses is an important investment in the capabilities and skills of our most valuable resource, our people.  A nursing qualification represents a practical and durable skill, and is one of the most marketable qualifications internationally.  Qualified nurses have a passport to a job anywhere in the world.  From past experience, we know that if there is a short-term surplus of nurses they can find work abroad and when demand picks up at home, many of them will come back to work in our health system.  Thus, the investment we made in the education and training of nurses reverts to us.  As we head into a period of rapidly rising unemployment, we must strive to give maximum investment to job-related education and training.  Our number one priority must be education and training for people coming out of second level this year and next.</p><p pid="457.6">A reduction in the number of nursing places will also have a significant impact on the number of mature students entering the profession.  This will deny the health service access to a group of graduates that offers considerable practical experience to patients, service users and the nursing profession.  This is a significant factor in the current economic crisis with the increase in job losses among those with practical work experience.</p><p pid="457.7">Do the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Health and Children really believe that slashing nursing education places is good for the economy, our children and our future?  If they do not believe that education and training is the way to a better economy, then it is time for them to quit as Ministers.  The country has a great opportunity to educate and train people for real jobs anywhere in the world.  The education staff, facilities and training skills are all available.  All that is needed is a student intake.  I ask the Government urgently to review and reverse the proposed reduction in the numbers of nursing places being made available nationally, and in particular at St. Angelaâ€™s College, Sligo.  Given the scale of the job losses now sweeping across the country, we should be expanding the number of nursing education programmes, not reducing them.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-26T14:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.254.0&amp;m=744#g265.0">
	<title>Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme: Statements | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.254.0&amp;m=744#g265.0</link>
	<description>I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on diabetic retinopathy screening programme. Deputy Deenihan&acirc;€™s last point is very valid.  In the last economic recession, Cadburys sales doubled as...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="265.1">I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on diabetic retinopathy screening programme.</p><p pid="265.2">Deputy Deenihanâ€™s last point is very valid.  In the last economic recession, Cadburys sales doubled as people ate more high-fat content and unnecessary foods.  The diabetic retinopathy screening programme is an important national initiative based on pioneering work carried out in the north west.  Diabetes is the single most common cause of blindness in Ireland.  It is essential the Health Service Executive takes all available measures, based on international best practice, to prevent blindness occurring in patients with diabetes.  It is also essential the programme is rolled out nationally as soon as possible.</p><p pid="265.3">Of the â‚¬15 billion spent annually on the HSE budget, very little is spent on preventive medicine.  As Deputy Reilly stated earlier, for every â‚¬1,700 spent on an illness, â‚¬65 could have been spent on preventing it.  If we are examining ways of getting value for taxpayersâ€™ money, then more should be spent on public health awareness campaigns to advise people how to safeguard their health.  Only a fraction of the current budget is spent on such campaigns.  Those campaigns against diabetes and obesity run in the UK needed to be implemented here.  In schools, sporting and outdoor activities should be encouraged more.  It is disappointing when sports capital grants are curtailed.  Too many children these days spend too much time watching DVDs.  Sport gives good value and encourages young people to get involved and away from the television.  Alcohol abuse is another factor contributing to the rise of diabetes.  Tackling diabetes is about encouraging people to take responsibility for their health by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet.</p><p pid="265.4">The national diabetic retinopathy screening initiative is important in increasing awareness among people about diabetes.  However, it must be rolled out as soon as possible.  BreastCheck, for example, is only now being rolled out in south Sligo when it has been a standard screening service in Northern Ireland for the past 25 years.  Screening is money well spent for the health services.</p><p pid="265.5">Increasing awareness of the screening programme and encouraging people to avail of it can be done through many means.  Local radio is an inexpensive way, particularly in these straitened times, to raise awareness of diabetes and preventive medicine.  It is outrageous that diabetes is the single common cause of blindness in Ireland.  It is important a national diabetes register is established, as a matter of priority, to ensure all patients can benefit from the service.  It is equally important that the national screening programme be rolled out.</p><p pid="265.6">In the context of the HSEâ€™s budget going forward and the five-year envelope of funding for the Department, I am of the view that the best way to spend money is to create awareness.  When one considers the development of gyms throughout the country, one realises that people are extremely conscious of their health.  In the interest of expanding public health awareness, a poster campaign should be carried out in supermarkets, shopping malls, etc., in order to highlight the steps people should take to protect their health and to make known to them the initial symptoms of diabetes.  If diabetes is detected early, it will reduce the cost to the State and improve peopleâ€™s quality of life and their life expectancy.</p><p pid="265.7">Diabetes has a major impact on peopleâ€™s lives, particularly in the context that they are obliged to inject with insulin or take other prescription drugs.  The position in America with regard to obesity is appalling.  A regulation was recently introduced in New York whereby restaurant menus must carry information relating to the fat content of each dish.  Ireland followed New Yorkâ€™s lead when it came to introducing a ban on smoking.  It should do so again in the context of listing the fat content of dishes listed on restaurant menus.  This would increase peopleâ€™s awareness with regard to what they are eating.</p><p pid="265.8">We engaged in a campaign in our schools to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables.  In current circumstances, people are seeking value for money when they shop.  However, I am aware from experience that customers, particularly those on lower incomes, tend to purchase many foods that are not good for their health.</p><p pid="265.9">I reiterate that diabetes is the most common cause of blindness.  In that context, it is important to establish a national register of diabetics.  It is also vital that the HSE adopt all the necessary measures, based on international best practice, to prevent blindness in those with diabetes.  Furthermore, we must focus attention on public health awareness and the problem of obesity.  The health budget amounts to some â‚¬15 billion.  How little of this money is spent promoting public health awareness or the importance of preventative medicine?</p><p pid="265.10">There should be a major radio campaign in respect of diabetes and the problem of obesity.  In addition, we should launch a campaign in schools in order to promote healthy eating practices among children.  We should oblige people to take on board the message in respect of health awareness issues.  If, as already stated, we follow the example of New York in respect of stipulating that the fat content of each dish on a restaurant menu be listed, it would be of major assistance.</p><p pid="265.11">General practitioners are on the front line with regard to the provision of health services.  It would be a welcome development if they were provided with a user-friendly document listing the warning signs relating to diabetes for distribution to their patients.</p><p pid="265.12">I again welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this matter because the introduction of a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy is essential and such a programme should be rolled out nationally.  I reiterate to the Minister of State that a national register of diabetics should also be established.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-26T12:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.1118.0&amp;m=744#g1122.5">
	<title>School Staffing. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.1118.0&amp;m=744#g1122.5</link>
	<description>I thank Deputy O&acirc;€™Mahony for sharing time on this important issue.  The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O&acirc;€™Keeffe, gave an undertaking that DEIS schools would not be subject to...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1122.2">I thank Deputy Oâ€™Mahony for sharing time on this important issue.  The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt Oâ€™Keeffe, gave an undertaking that DEIS schools would not be subject to cutbacks.  This offered some comfort to schools, staff and parents in disadvantaged areas.  We are now witnessing the rolling back of this undertaking by the Minister with the axing of the vital service of rural co-ordinators in many DEIS cluster schools. </p><p pid="1122.3">Kilmactigue national school and Castlerock national school in County Sligo are classified as DEIS schools, with the latter being the base school for a cluster of five DEIS schools.  As a result of two schools within the cluster losing DEIS status, the cluster was broken up.  Kilmactigue national school proposed a new cluster in order that the vital rural co-ordinator service could continue.  However, it received a reply from the inclusion unit of the Department stating that having considered the size and level of disadvantage of the schools in question, their geographical location and proximity to other schools, it was not possible in the reclustering review to include all the schools in the cluster.  For this reason, it was decided that some geographically isolated schools and-or have small enrolments were not entitled to a rural co-ordinator.</p><p pid="1122.4">If the schools in question were deemed disadvantaged and warranted the appointment of a rural co-ordinator five years ago, what has changed in the meantime?  The schools, which were classified as disadvantaged five years ago, are still disadvantaged and still have a low enrolment.  The rural co-ordinator role was a vital link between the home and school for those families who needed it.  It provided home school liaison programmes, as well as parenting and family support for those in disadvantaged areas.</p><p pid="1122.5">This cutback is another example of the most vulnerable in society suffering as a result of a lack of prioritisation in the management of the rollout of funding.  The very families who need these supports are now losing out through the withdrawal of the vital rural co-ordinator service, a decision which will place further strain on the resources of schools in disadvantaged areas.  I call on the Minister to include the DEIS schools in question, Kilmactigue national school, Kinaffe national school, Lahinch national school, Castlerock national school and Carramore national school, in the cluster programme to ensure their rural co-ordinator service is retained.  As Deputy Oâ€™Mahony stated, this is a vital service and maintaining it will not lead to additional costs.  The Minister should take a common sense approach to the benefits of maintaining a rural co-ordinator for the schools in question.  It would be easy to facilitate the retention of the co-ordinator.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-25T23:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.420.0&amp;m=744#g482.0">
	<title>Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.420.0&amp;m=744#g482.0</link>
	<description>Last week, one of the national newspapers featured a piece by a commentator which concluded with the words, &acirc;€śAs we approach the inferno we see Dante&acirc;€™s injunction: &acirc;€śAbandon hope all ye who...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="482.1">Last week, one of the national newspapers featured a piece by a commentator which concluded with the words, â€śAs we approach the inferno we see Danteâ€™s injunction: â€śAbandon hope all ye who enter here.â€ťâ€ť  Has the nation come to this point?</p><p pid="482.2">Irish people have a tendency to swing between the outer limits of optimism and pessimism and spend little time in the middle ground.  In retrospect, it is clear we have passed through a period of foolish optimism.  However, we must avoid entering a phase of hyper-critical self-flagellation, depression and fatalism in which everything appears to be outside our control.</p><p pid="482.3">Throughout our history, we have experienced bad and poor times but a sufficient number of people had faith and conviction in the future of the country to allow us to muddle through.  This is also the case at present.  Ireland has much going for it.  It is a relatively rich country with a good standard of living and well educated population.  Irish people can also muster a real sense of community when needed.  The reality of life, especially in a crisis, is that we can only do the best we can.  Somehow we will muddle through but in trying to find ways to address the present crisis we must face reality.  The Government, too, must face reality because citizensâ€™ confidence in it has been shattered.  The future of the country is at stake and confidence in the country and Government can be rebuilt only through facing reality and dealing honestly with the reasons we found ourselves in the current mess.</p><p pid="482.4">In my experience in business I have found dealing with a crisis to be simple.  It is akin to tackling a house on fire in the sense that one can either react by trying to put out the fire with whatever tools one has at oneâ€™s disposal or one can listen to other voices who tell us we should sit down and review the position in a series of meetings and then, armed with all available information, make a plan to put out the fire and rebuild the new house.  Crises demand real and immediate action.</p><p pid="482.5">As a country we face one major problem, namely, the growing national economic crisis and the loss of thousands of jobs every month.  We also have a massive hole in the Government finances and a banking crisis.  The latter is a sideshow when viewed in the context of the well-being of the national economy.  The preservation of jobs must, therefore, be our top priority.</p><p pid="482.6">The Government appears to be almost relieved that the focus is on banks, bail-outs and public sector levies as these distract from the crisis it caused in the national economy.  The first and immediate step to restoring the national economy must be to rebuild consumer confidence in order that domestic demand can lead to recovery.  A fundamental problem is that in Ireland, as in most other countries in the world, people are frightened and domestic demand has declined, leading to further falls in Government tax income.  In our case, this is evident in declining revenue from VAT.</p><p pid="482.7">To regenerate consumer confidence an essential first step is for the Government to demonstrate, for as long as it remains in power, that its members are people of genuine character and substance.  I do not say this to score political points.  The Government must clearly accept responsibility for its part in creating the mess in which we find ourselves.  To show it is capable of genuine leadership in this crisis, it must first show it is able to deal honestly and openly with reality.  If trust is to be rebuilt, it must acknowledge its responsibility for its part in the making of the current crisis.  Why should we expect anyone else to squarely face reality when the Government still refuses to acknowledge reality?  It must tell the truth about what happened and place the facts in the public domain to enable us to start to address fundamental issues and restore confidence in the economy.  If it is not able to do this, it must step aside and allow the Opposition to try to solve our current problems.</p><p pid="482.8">On consumer spending, I do not belong to those who believe governments should spend ever increasing amounts of borrowed money to prime the economy.  All past evidence shows that an excessive proportion of such additional consumer expenditure is spent on imports, thus making a minimal contribution to the national economy.  Anecdotal evidence also suggests that consumers are using any spare cash they have to add to savings or to pay off debt.  An additional financial stimulus using more borrowed money would have little direct impact on the national economy.</p><p pid="482.9">The critical element of any solution must be to address the issue of jobs.  We must take all possible steps to protect existing jobs.  Ireland is an open, exporting economy and only the manufacturing sector can provide the volume of quality jobs to give full employment.  Companies are closing down and jobs are moving abroad, in some cases to other European Union countries as opposed to low wage economies elsewhere.  This demonstrates that our costs are seriously out of line with competitor countries.  We must reduce costs in the public and private sectors and State agencies must work intensively with local businesses to help protect jobs.  There is no other solution in the short to medium term.  Stimulating job creation must focus on local enterprises, including the critically important retail sector.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-24T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-18.499.0&amp;m=744#g500.0">
	<title>Financial Institutions Support Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-18.499.0&amp;m=744#g500.0</link>
	<description>Question 42: To ask the Minister for Finance  the receipts to date from the guarantee provided on covered bank liabilities in each of the six institutions; and if he plans changes to any element...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="500.0"><i>Question 42:</i> To ask the Minister for Finance  the receipts to date from the guarantee provided on covered bank liabilities in each of the six institutions; and if he plans changes to any element of the scheme.  <b>[6281/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-18T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.361.0&amp;m=744#g372.0">
	<title>Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.361.0&amp;m=744#g372.0</link>
	<description>I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and have listened to Deputy Kathleen Lynch&acirc;€™s contribution.  As the Deputy who first brought to public attention the fact that old people in...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="372.1">I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and have listened to Deputy Kathleen Lynchâ€™s contribution.  As the Deputy who first brought to public attention the fact that old people in publicly funded long-term residential care were being forced to pay charges that had no legal basis, I welcome this new legislation.</p><p pid="372.2">I broadly support the proposal, but I am concerned that the delay in making repayments in respect of long-stay charges remains a major issue.  It is important to point out that the body dealing with the issue will not be accountable to the DĂˇil.  Many of those who made claims have since died.  It is appalling that, five years on, people are still awaiting payment.  Perhaps the Minister of State will account to the DĂˇil in this regard and request a report from the legal firm handling the matter, as it will not give information to any Deputy who makes representations in respect of delayed refunds.  It is an issue of concern for those who are still alive and the next of kin who have claims on the estates of the deceased.  We should examine this matter.</p><p pid="372.3">As Deputy Kathleen Lynch mentioned, the money has gone.  When the Bill was initiated two years ago, people and the economy had a great deal of money.  Many people who have been paying in excess of â‚¬1,000 per week to live independently in private nursing homes had large shareholdings in banks, sometimes worth as much as â‚¬300,000 or â‚¬400,000.  Their shareholdings have devalued to â‚¬35,000 or â‚¬40,000.  They are penniless.  Numbering among the people who attended the Anglo Irish Bank shareholdersâ€™ meeting were senior citizens who, despite owning blue chip stocks in major financial institutions, now find themselves without any money.  They were not availing of subventions.  I know of a number of cases in which people had their own money, did not depend on their families and had private investments.  They were retired bankers and civil servants.</p><p pid="372.4">Such people, who perhaps were paying fees for private nursing home care, now find their long-term plan is affected.  This has caused great anxiety and the concern engendered by seeing their financial well-being diminished will have an impact on their longevity on this planet.  This is very serious, is of great concern and forms the backdrop to this so-called fair deal.  I raise this point because of my concern for those who were given assurances and comfort, when advised by accountancy firms and financial managers, that the best place to put oneâ€™s money was into blue-chip financial institutions within the State, which were making billions per year.</p><p pid="372.5">Those who bought shares in banks were guaranteed that their houses were safe and that they would have plenty of money, both for their lifetimes and to leave to their relatives on their departure.  All this is gone.  Last week, I met a lady who invested â‚¬200,000 into the Bank of Ireland and whose shareholding now is worth only â‚¬4,500.  The lady, who is retired, was advised to so do two years ago.  While obviously it was her decision to take such advice, her shareholding now is reduced to only â‚¬4,500, from an initial investment of her life savings of â‚¬200,000.  To where can she go?  Such developments will greatly affect the nursing homes support scheme and forms the backdrop to the present position.  As Deputy Kathleen Lynch noted, matters were different two years ago.</p><p pid="372.6">I broadly support the proposal that elderly people should pay some of their nursing home costs, based on their means.  A degree of co-payment must be central to any sustainable approach to financing long-term care.  The Ministerâ€™s proposals contain some positive elements, particularly in respect of the introduction of a standardised assessment system for patient eligibility and subvention between public and private nursing homes.  This legislation is formally entitled the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008.  However, in her speeches and press releases, the Minister prefers to entitle it the fair deal Bill.  This mixed description on the Ministerâ€™s part reminds me of when a person prefaces a sentence with expressions such as, â€śTo tell you the truthâ€ť, â€śIn my honest opinionâ€ť or words to that effect.  This always raises alarm bells for me as why should someone tell me they do not intend to tell me the truth?  Similarly, the Ministerâ€™s use of the term, the fair deal Bill, also rings alarm bells.  While we may have many political differences on a wide range of issues, I generally give the Government the benefit of the assumption that what it does is fair by the standards it normally uses.  Consequently, when a Minister tells Members that this is a fair deal Bill, which will make residential nursing home care accessible, affordable and anxiety-free, my concern is they may find out in time that it is anything but a fair deal.</p><p pid="372.7">This proposed legislation will replace a system that is bureaucratic and inconsistent.  The current subvention system also is inequitable, complex and unfair, as people who need care face greatly differing costs, depending on whether they are in private or public nursing homes.  A huge anomaly exists whereby 90% of the costs of public nursing homes is subsidised, while the State only meets 40% of the costs of care in a private facility.  This new legislation also brings its own complexity.  I congratulate the parliamentary draftsmen on their work in taking a political agenda and party political proposals and turning them into robust legislation that hopefully will withstand the assault of the legal profession.  It is not difficult to anticipate some challenges when the legal profession starts its microanalysis of the sentences, words and punctuation contained in the legislation, particularly regarding the deferred contribution from the estate of a person resident in a nursing home.</p><p pid="372.8">I have serious concerns about this issue.  An issue has arisen in respect of the difficulty in selling property, in that this Bill is based on properties that were valued at â‚¬300,000 but which sell for  â‚¬150,000 at present.  In many ways, a massive sub-prime property problem obtains at present.  It clearly is an issue about which Members must be highly concerned.  Regardless of the proposals in respect of values of 15% or 5%, the obligations to have been living together for three years or the concerns it will raise among families or the next of kin, in certain cases this will bring huge pressure on people in respect of the transfer of property.  In many instances, this must have taken place five years earlier.  However, while it may be a consequence of past colonial exploitation, to this day people in Ireland appear to have a problem in recognising the genuine difference between long-term family occupancy rights and ownership rights.  This constitutes a major issue for families who have lived in a home for generations.</p><p pid="372.9">As for those who already are residents in nursing homes but who, under the needs assessment criteria in this new Bill, are assessed as not meeting the criteria for long-stay admission to a nursing home, the Minister should clarify the position.  As for those who currently are in nursing homes but who may not need to be there, the Minister should confirm that such residents will have guaranteed access to the nursing home after the Bill is introduced, regardless of their needs assessment.  This is an important point and I note the Minister of Stateâ€™s adviser has indicated her agreement in this regard.</p><p pid="372.10">According to a submission by Age Action Ireland, a survey carried out by the Department of Health and Children in 2006 found that nearly 9% of long-stay residents were in residential care for social reasons.  Older people who live in nursing homes at present should have their care needs assessed and should the community services exist, they should be facilitated in a move back to the community, if that is their wish.  This also is a major concern.  On the other hand, if their preference is to remain, this Bill should accommodate it.  The Minister has promised that no one in care will be worse off under the new plan.  The Minister of State should use this opportunity to confirm that statement, in so far as it applies to people currently living in nursing homes.  According to the same Department of Health and Children survey, more than 29% of all long-stay unit residents had low to medium dependency.  Consequently, if one takes those two figures together, a large number of nursing home residents should not be there, were the rigorous needs assessment criteria in this Bill to be employed.  These figures clearly demonstrates care needs assessment services and the range of facilities being provided are inadequate at present.</p><p pid="372.11">The care needs assessment principles outlined in the legislation appear reasonable, in so far as they go.  The outcome of a needs assessment process is a report, which will be used to make a determination that a person needs care services or otherwise.  The important point is that in this context, care services mean long-term residential services.  However, the options available for the care of older people are more varied than such a black and white scenario.  At one end of the scale, there is self-care through support by family and informal carers, complemented by an element of formal care in the home.  All recent reports on the needs of older people have stressed the importance of maintaining at least 90% of people aged 75 and over in their own homes.  As people age at home, they may come to need the support of some home care services.  Every older person should have adequate support to enable him or her to remain living independently in his or her own home for as long as possible.  It is important that people are assisted and supported in living independently at home.</p><p pid="372.12">This pertains to the major issue of home care supports, home care packages and day centres, as does the point raised previously regarding the essential repair grant that is being administered by the HSE.  It should be funded to a level that will ensure that people have an option to make a simple conversion costing â‚¬4,000 or â‚¬5,000 to their house.  This would be a massive investment, were such a fund not available and one would have no choice but to seek a long-stay or a short stay bed.  Consequently, that link would be broken.  I am certain that the arrangement which provides for the best quality of life for the majority of older people is to be at home.</p><p pid="372.13">The Bill deals with only one aspect of care for the elderly, namely, the provision of nursing home and other long-stay care facilities.  Regrettably, this issue is being addressed in the wrong direction and at a greater cost than necessary.  The Bill fails to recognise that the majority of elderly people prefer to remain in their own homes.  That is the fundamental misunderstanding underpinning the legislation.  Most people wish to live independently.  My father is in his 80s and would not move into a nursing home under any circumstances.  A carer visits him in the morning and evening, thus allowing him to maintain his independence and remain at home.</p><p pid="372.14">In making this point, I do not mean to disparage the long-term residential care that is available.  I am aware of several superb facilities in County Sligo, including St. Johnâ€™s Hospital and various private nursing homes.  However, my fatherâ€™s choice is to remain at home.  Elderly people wish to live in their own homes for as long as possible, where they are an integral part of family, social and civic life.  People build their lives around their homes and have routines of social interaction with friends and family.</p><p pid="372.15">More supports must be available to elderly people who wish to maintain some degree of independent living in their own homes.  The public health nurse has an important role to play in this regard.  While carers are doing a fantastic job, there is insufficient funding to enable public health nurses to provide vital services that would be of benefit to many elderly people.  The service provided by carers must be complemented by an improved provision in respect of public health nurses.  More nurses must be appointed and criteria introduced whereby elderly people would receive a certain number of visits in their home from the local public health nurse.</p><p pid="372.16">Where elderly people are no longer able to remain in their own homes, the next stage should be to facilitate their transfer to sheltered accommodation, with on-site care facilities as necessary.  In some cases, people may not qualify under the needs assessment test for a place in a residential unit even though they cannot continue to live independently in their own homes because of the need for formal assistance in areas such as meal preparation, housekeeping, shopping and increased security.  Sheltered care, incorporating carer and public health nurse visits and the provision of day centre services, would be of great benefit to many such older people.  Moreover, it provides good value for money when compared with the cost of nursing home care at â‚¬800 or â‚¬900 per week.</p><p pid="372.17">Independent living is critical.  This valuable option is a means of bridging the gap between remaining in oneâ€™s own home and having to move to a long-term residential facility.  Long-term residential care must be the option of last resort and we must do everything to provide alternatives.  This Bill is fundamentally deficient because it deals only with the end game.  Sheltered care provision has been readily accepted in other countries as a mainstream solution that fits neatly between living at home and moving to a form of institutional care.  It has become a central plank of community care policy for older people in several European Union member states.</p><p pid="372.18">Long-term residential care should be seen only as a solution of last resort and where the previous options have been exhausted or are inappropriate for the older personâ€™s needs.  The Bill must include an explicit written commitment to the principle of resident choice to ensure residents and their families can choose the nursing home that most suits their needs. Persons who have been assessed and who are to benefit from the scheme must be given a list of all nursing homes from which to choose, including public, private and voluntary facilities.  The Government gave a commitment to the principle of resident choice in its policy document, Quality and Fairness.  This must be explicitly enshrined in the legislation.  It is critical that care is provided in the community so that family and friends can have easy access for visitation.  There is no point installing somebody in a nursing home 20 miles from their family, friends and community.</p><p pid="372.19">The Bill deals only with options for long-term residential care, as well as the related problem of a valid and equitable system of charging for it.  This makes for a very black and white scenario; one is either in or out of long-term residential care.  The Bill must be modified to make specific provision for a three-stage classification of needs outcome in the needs assessment process in place of the simple Yes or No outcome currently provided.  We must have comprehensive and meaningful information on the full range of care need requirements of older people.  This information is critical to future service planning in this area and will help the State put its resources into the service provision options that best meet the full range of needs of older people.</p><p pid="372.20">If incentives implicit in the provisions of this Bill are unbalanced, there will continue to be an unnecessary and unwarranted proportion of older people in long-term residential care when they could be at home or in sheltered accommodation.  Will the Minister bring forward programmes for care of the elderly in their homes and in sheltered accommodation?  In order to provide for certainty and transparency in the provision of care services, it is essential that there be greater clarity in regard to funding arrangements for these care options.  If this is not done, the resulting gap in funding and services will lead to pressures to admit a disproportionate number of elderly people to long-term residential care.  This is something we must avoid.</p><p pid="372.21">I urge the Minister to take on board the need to ensure that service provision and financial incentives attract older people and their families to the options of home care and sheltered housing facilities as the preferred option for elderly care.  In particular, the financing model adopted for long-term residential care must not in any way discriminate against older people who wish to avoid such care.  In this regard, I ask the Minister to consider the provision of income tax relief at the marginal rate for expenses directly incurred by families in the provision of home-based and sheltered accommodation care services.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-17T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.361.0&amp;m=744#g370.0">
	<title>Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.361.0&amp;m=744#g370.0</link>
	<description>Yes.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="370.1">Yes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-17T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1594.0&amp;m=744#g1595.7">
	<title>Visa Applications. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1594.0&amp;m=744#g1595.7</link>
	<description>I wish to share time with Deputy Noel O&acirc;€™Flynn.  I welcome the opportunity to raise an issue of some practical significance to the country and the economy.  Ireland has a practical and...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1595.2">I wish to share time with Deputy Noel Oâ€™Flynn.  I welcome the opportunity to raise an issue of some practical significance to the country and the economy.  Ireland has a practical and developing relationship with Taiwan within the framework of its overall policy position on relations with countries in the region.  Many European countries have established a well-staffed representative office in Taiwan as a fundamental part of the policy to develop economic trade there, while also developing a relationship with China.  The staffing of these offices ranges from five people for Austria and Belgium, to 29 for Germany and as many as 53 for the United Kingdom and 55 for France.  In addition, the European Union has a large office in Taiwan with more than 50 staff.</p><p pid="1595.3">Ireland should upgrade the scale and scope of its presence in Taiwan as the foundation stone upon which better economic and social relations can be built.  Taiwan encourages freedom of movement internationally.  Based on the spirit of the 1944 Chicago convention on international civil aviation, Taiwan has granted visa exemption to 38 countries, including 24 of 27 EU member states.  Ireland is one of 27 European countries currently enjoying a 30-day visa-exempt entry arrangement into Taiwan, a privilege it has enjoyed since 2003.</p><p pid="1595.4">Visa exemption is a powerful means to enhance trade relations.  Total annual trade between Ireland and Taiwan stands at approximately â‚¬1 billion, of which almost â‚¬250 million is accounted for by Taiwanâ€™s imports from Ireland.  Taiwan is one of the worldâ€™s most robust economies and is the worldâ€™s sixteenth largest economy.  Its trade surplus is quite substantial and its foreign reserves are among the worldâ€™s largest.  Ireland is not reaching its potential for trade with Taiwan.  In the current international economic climate and at a time when our economy is in decline and needs all the support and stimulus available, the impetus must surely be for Ireland to take the initiative and further develop trade links.</p><p pid="1595.5">Visa exemption is a powerful means by which to enhance the tourism trade.  Some 260,000 Taiwanese travel to Europe each year.  Surveys in Taiwan indicate this number would be considerably higher were it not for prohibitive visa regimes.  Following the introduction of a visa waiver scheme for Taiwan nationals visiting Japan in 2005, tourist numbers visiting Japan rose by 30%.  Taiwan people that travel overseas are generally quite wealthy and have proven to be valuable tourists who contribute strongly to the host country.  Visa-free entry to Ireland would attract an increasing number of Taiwan tourists visiting Europe and the UK.  If Ireland lifted its visa barrier and could attract a small percentage of visitors to Europe, it would be a substantial gain for the tourist industry in view of visitor purchasing power.</p><p pid="1595.6">Now is the time to take the initiative on the tourism front.  Following the UK announcement of a six-month visa-free entry system, Taiwanese interest in visiting the UK has soared.  Tour operators are now introducing a whole range of new travel packages.  This is a great potential source of new and immediate revenue.  A visa waiver to visit Ireland would certainly attract a proportion of Taiwanese visitors to the UK to also visit Ireland.</p><p pid="1595.7">In the area of education the difficulties for students attaining an entry visa imposes a particular handicap on any student considering visiting Ireland.  That the existing entry requirements into the UK are a good deal easier than attaining a visa to come to Ireland is evident from the fact that some 8,500 students from Taiwan travel to the UK every year, and make a contribution of more than ÂŁ1 billion to the UK economy.  Increasing the international student market should be a key short-term objective for the educational sector.  Travelling Taiwanese students are well educated, highly motivated and adequately financed.  They should become a key market for our educational institutions.  However, we are a good deal behind our main competitors in this market, and with the introduction of a new six-month visa-free entry in the UK, Ireland is now in danger of being completely excluded from this market.  Time is of the essence in this issue.  We must avail of the window of opportunity and act now.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-11T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1494.0">
	<title>Employment Law Compliance Bill: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1494.0</link>
	<description>Certainly not.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1494.1">Certainly not.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-11T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1491.0">
	<title>Employment Law Compliance Bill: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1491.0</link>
	<description>It is a good one.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1491.1">It is a good one.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-11T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1489.0">
	<title>Employment Law Compliance Bill: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-11.1485.0&amp;m=744#g1489.0</link>
	<description>At a time when no one is working.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1489.1">At a time when no one is working.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-11T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.197.0&amp;m=744#g216.0">
	<title>Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.197.0&amp;m=744#g216.0</link>
	<description>There is an old adage that cash is king, and this is never more true than when there is no cash.  The message is so critical that it is worth repeating.  Just in case there are any slow learners,...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="216.1">There is an old adage that cash is king, and this is never more true than when there is no cash.  The message is so critical that it is worth repeating.  Just in case there are any slow learners, I reiterate that cash is king.  Our Government does not have any cash to pay its way and we are borrowing approximately â‚¬55 million per day to pay our daily bills.  Quite simply, we are living beyond our means and this must stop.</p><p pid="216.2">The country faces two major problems â€” the massive hole in the Exchequer finances and the growing national economic crisis, which is such that thousands of people are losing their jobs every month.  The banking crisis is really a sideshow to the decline in the well-being of the national economy.  How we solve these crises will depend on the problems we define.  The Exchequer deficit is so vast and deteriorating so rapidly that there is a need for immediate action.  The timescale in which to identify and address all the economic issues is too long to permit any delay in tackling the immediate financial crisis.</p><p pid="216.3">Two days ago, the Government introduced a series of measures to tackle the financial crisis.  There has been much negative commentary on the absence of decisive leadership over recent months.  With regard to what one should do in a crisis, an old Australian saying suggests that if one is up to oneâ€™s ass in a swamp with crocodiles, it is time to take big steps.  Instead of taking big steps, the Government went for long, leisurely walks with the social partners.  The measures announced yesterday could have been announced at any time in the past two months.  I broadly support these measures in so far as they will work.  Good disaster management requires that the current crisis should not be allowed to overwhelm in-depth analysis of any key factors that led to it.  A fundamental review and public acknowledgement of the origin of the crisis are critical to development of the right solution, and particularly to the development of public confidence and trust in the solution given that harsh changes are essential.</p><p pid="216.4">The Government has failed to carry out any fundamental review of the origins of the crisis and the reasons are obvious.  The Government is responsible for approximately 80% of the current difficulties and international factors account for the rest.  It must accept responsibility publicly; otherwise, public trust and confidence will continue to drain away.  Having failed to carry out any fundamental review of the origins of the current crisis, it has failed to identify any new or creative ideas on how to proceed as a country.  The recent Framework for a Pact for Stabilisation, Social Solidarity and Economic Renewal is nothing more than a winning entry at a feis for economic clichĂ©s.  The Government is bringing forward a series of short-term tactical micro-steps to address individual elements of the immediate crisis.  These steps are founded on the idea that, if taken, we will return to where we were on the wealth and economic growth path.</p><p pid="216.5">Some fundamental questions need to be asked.  Do we really want to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world?  Do we really want to return to a level of economic growth that pushes our infrastructure and social fabric to their limits?  Do we really want to be absentee landlords to the world in our race for wealth?  Did a degree of crassness creep into our society?  We should aim to be one of the best countries in the world.  The most fundamental requirement at present is to protect existing manufacturing jobs.  We have an open, exporting economy and only the manufacturing sector can provide enough quality jobs to result in full employment in the medium term.  To maintain a strong, viable manufacturing sector, we must declare manufacturing to be the foundation of the national economy and benchmark manufacturing costs, including labour costs, against those of the main European manufacturing countries.  We cannot rely on tax breaks that can be wiped out in the stroke of a pen.  All sectors in our economy must be benchmarked against the manufacturing sector.  If we take these steps we can really hope to weather the storm and come out stronger when it passes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g151.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g151.0</link>
	<description>Is it possible to introduce an Act to force the ESB to reduce prices?</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="151.1">Is it possible to introduce an Act to force the ESB to reduce prices?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g149.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g149.0</link>
	<description>This concerns promised legislation.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="149.1">This concerns promised legislation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g147.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g147.0</link>
	<description>With regard to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission systems from the ESB to the grid, in light of the impact of the fact we have the highest power charges in Europe will...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="147.1">With regard to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission systems from the ESB to the grid, in light of the impact of the fact we have the highest power charges in Europe will legislation be introduced to reduce the charges?  Deputy Kenny raised this matter with regard to a reduction in charges.  The charges are at least 17% higher than in any other country, including Northern Ireland, and they are 25% higher than in Britain.  This has a direct impact on job creation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g125.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g125.0</link>
	<description>The T&Atilde;&iexcl;naiste knows this.  In Border counties business are closing daily, but nothing is happening for any of them.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="125.1">The TĂˇnaiste knows this.  In Border counties business are closing daily, but nothing is happening for any of them.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g123.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.2.0&amp;m=744#g123.0</link>
	<description>On the industrial relations Bill, in light of the massive job losses in the economy &acirc;€” 37,000 in January &acirc;€” of the fact the Government has presided over the closing down of the manufacturing...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="123.1">On the industrial relations Bill, in light of the massive job losses in the economy â€” 37,000 in January â€” of the fact the Government has presided over the closing down of the manufacturing sector over the past ten years, of the difficulties envisaged now by retail services right across the State â€” hotels and every retail service sector â€” and of the derogation in PRSI, what meaningful legislation will be brought forward to give immediate effect to the creation of jobs in the service sector, a sector that is on its knees?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
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