Results 21-40 of 2,773 for speaker:Marian Harkin

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Procurement Contracts (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: Deputy Gogarty raised a number of issues in response, some of which I do not have any information on here. I know he appreciates that. One of the points he raises is the discretion of local authorities. For clarity, I will reiterate the discretionary exclusionary grounds that contracting authorities may choose to apply in cases of procurement. I am aware that I used the word "may", which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Procurement Contracts (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank Deputy Gogarty for raising this matter and I am responding on behalf of the Minister. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers transparency and value for money outcomes, which the Deputy referred to. With respect to public works, the capital...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Further and Higher Education (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: With regard to the Deputy's question on the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, I will have to look for further information on that. I only have the information in front of me, which I have already presented to him. I will ask the Minister to follow up with the Deputy on that specific question. With regard to the dental workforce, the Deputy quoted some figures but I can only quote...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Further and Higher Education (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter regarding the availability of dental training places, which I will take on behalf of the Minister. This Government is firmly committed to ensuring our healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Higher Education...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Appeals (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank Deputy McGrath. I am happy to respond on behalf of the Minister. The social welfare appeals office is an office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals officers are independent in their decision-making functions. The overall average processing time for all...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Appeals (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank Deputy McGrath. I listened with interest to the points he has made. I thank him for highlighting this issue. It is important the appeals process not only works quickly but with due regard to ensuring each case is properly considered. In the first instance, each appeal is referred back to the relevant claim area of the Department which reviews the appeal, including taking account...

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: It is a real argument-----

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: Shouting at me will not-----

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: If the Deputy wants to make his argument, he should make it on his own time.

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: What I have spoken about are not legal abstractions; they fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of this Bill. The Deputy and I know that if legislation means anything, it must be effective. Ireland's long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict remains an integral part of our foreign policy. Personally, I am pleased to say that from my very first days...

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: We are taking action, as already outlined-----

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: -----and we are progressing the occupied territories Bill. Just because we raise issues with the legislation here this evening-----

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: -----does not mean we do not care; we do. We are acting in every way we can.

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: We believe that this legislation, however well intentioned, will not achieve its objective. That is what matters. People have talked about fine words.

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: Fine words from any side of the House do not work. What works is legislation that is effective.

Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate this evening with compassion and empathy. That is shared by Deputies on all sides of this House. All of us are appalled and horrified by what is happening in Gaza. I address the Dáil, fully aware of the deep sensitivity surrounding the plight of the Palestinian people. I strongly and utterly condemn the continuing Israeli...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank Senator Costello for raising this issue. I will be answering on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The State acknowledges the importance of faster access to new medicines for patients. The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I am pleased to hear the Senator welcomes the 34 new staff who have been put in place and the efforts made to enhance and improve the pricing and reimbursement system, including the significant additional staffing to which we have referred. To fully benefit patients, the pharmaceutical industry must also play its part. Ireland is open for business and encourages timely applications for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Assisted Human Reproduction (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Senator for raising this very sensitive matter and for giving me, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, the opportunity to inform the House of the up-to-date position on the provision of publicly funded fertility services. The Senator and I will both appreciate the fact the Minister cannot comment on individual cases. As part of the final phase of the roll-out of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Assisted Human Reproduction (27 May 2025)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Senator. As I said, there are potentially highly sensitive and complex factors which arise here and these would need to be fully teased out, resolved and a firm decision agreed upon before it is decided whether, notwithstanding what is permitted in the relevant legislation, the State should fund this very distinct form of AHR treatment. However, I want to reassure the Senator...