Results 10,041-10,060 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: I object to the use of the term "political hacks". People are elected by the electorate in Dáil constituencies and are elected here in the Seanad-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: -----under the Constitution. This is how the Constitution is structured and I resent the word "hacks" being used in reference to Members of the Oireachtas. One of the issues that has not been highlighted is that the Taoiseach has appointed 12 people in total to the Seanad, eight of whom were women. He has appointed only two people from the Fine Gael Party out of the 12 people, with three...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interfere with Senator Norris, so please-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: This is not the first time this has happened. I wanted to make a comment on this matter. Eight weeks ago I raised an issue relating to the HSE whereby 1,100 people have been appointed to permanent positions with full salaries without job interview and without it being clarified whether they have the skills for those jobs. They went in to fill temporary positions and under the Haddington...

Seanad: Matters on the Adjournment: Nursing Home Services (30 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I am raising a matter relating to dieticians employed by the Health Service Executive. I understand that in many parts of the country elderly patients who seek access to a dietician must attend a clinic in a hospital. This costs the health service because an ambulance or taxi must be provided to take the patient to the hospital. As a result, many nursing homes now rely on...

Seanad: Matters on the Adjournment: Nursing Home Services (30 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply, which dealt with the issue I raised by acknowledging that patients are entitled to access to dieticians under the fair deal scheme, but not in a nursing home setting. Short cuts are being taken and dieticians who are not employed by the HSE are being used by nursing homes. As a result, an additional cost is imposed on the HSE in real terms....

Seanad: Companies Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (30 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 maidin amárach.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Child and Family Services: Child and Family Agency (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I apologise that I had to go to the Seanad for a vote. I have a question on children who are getting caught having fallen out of the school system, including even the primary school system. I am involved with a centre that is looking after 30 young people at the moment. The Department of Education and Skills has advised me that it is not its responsibility. I accept we are dealing with...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I reiterate what I say yesterday, namely that anyone who runs his or her own business is competent to be appointed to any State board because such people are involved in hiring staff-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt you.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: Running a business and being self-employed qualifies anyone to be involved in a board. He is an appropriate appointment to the board. In this House we seem to have forgotten that the Taoiseach appointed more Independent Senators who were not involved in any political party to this House than any previous Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt anyone here.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: In fairness to the Taoiseach, he has appointed people who are independent of politics and have made a fantastic contribution to this House. Let us give credit where credit is due. Mr. McNulty would have qualified for the Cultural and Educational Panel with or without the appointment to the board, and that is now quite clear. This is a technical issue. I recently heard of someone who...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Norris that there is a need for reform in how we elect Senators. I am one of those who agree with him because the current panel structure comprises technical procedures and nothing more.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: My points are in response to what has been said. There are a lot of allegations flying around. Individual panels are of a technical nature and some have questioned whether someone is fit to sit in the House. Anyone who is over 18 years of age is fit and qualified to sit in the House no matter what his or her background is, and Mr. McNulty is suitably qualified to be in the House. I look...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House, and join with my colleague in wishing him well in his new portfolio of health. It is a difficult challenge and there are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with. I have no doubt whatsoever that he is up to the challenge and will continue to improve and reform the current health service. I welcome the publication of this Bill. It follows on from the...

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: All those appointed to a board are suitably qualified if they are self-employed and running their own business. It they are able to manage their business, they are well able to serve on a board of directors, regardless of what that board is for.

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: The issue I wish to raise relates to the health sector. I agree with the remarks made by Senator Mullins. The general doctors issue is getting quite serious and by this time next year we will face a major problem. For the last 15 to 20 years we have been relying on doctors from non-EU countries to come here and apply for the jobs in this country, but the number of doctors from non-EU...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I join Senator Sean D. Barrett in congratulating the three students from Kinsale, Ciara Judge, Émer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, on their huge achievement in winning the EU Young Scientist competition and the Google Science Fair award. It is a major achievement not only by the students but by the school, teachers and parents who gave the necessary support. It is a credit to the school...