Results 11,101-11,120 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: EU Presidency: Statements, Questions and Answers (Resumed) (10 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for taking time out of her busy schedule to be with us today. Figures show 70% of people involved in research and development from outside the European Union go to the United States to work. Can we take a positive approach during our Presidency to dealing with that issue by making Europe a more attractive location for research, especially in the health field?...

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Second Stage (9 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister and I welcome the Bill put forward by Senator Crown, seconded by Senator van Turnhout and supported by Senator Daly. This is a welcome development. The Government side will look at it very carefully as there may be additional proposals or amendments made so that it can be fully implemented and be enforced. However, the overall attitude of the Government is to take on...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Quinn about the importance of voting "Yes" in this referendum and of replying to Senator Cullinane. The Government has been to the fore in pushing for the creation of jobs and I refer to three examples - PayPal, Eli Lilly and Apple. Today's newspapers list job announcements over the past six months. It is important we generate a positive news story about what is being...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I need to correct the record in regard to something I said on the Order of Business on 23 April. I quoted a figure of 4,000 instead of 400 and €32 million instead of €3.2 million. At my request, the Leader corrected it on the day but I understand that to correct the record, I need to do so myself. I refer to the management companies of apartment complexes. Reading a report in the Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I want to raise an issue relating to a young lad called Calum Geary who today is receiving a transplant due to his inability to hear. He cannot hear any sound and the procedure is known as a bionic implant.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Colm Burke: I raise the case because it relates to the treatment abroad fund and the support that it has given to the family in ensuring the transplant took place. I wish to raise the issue of the EU cross-border healthcare directive passed in February 2011 and we have 30 months to implement it. I have contacted the Department of Health on a number of occasions and there has been no indication of when...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Colm Burke: First, I acknowledge and thank the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Martin, for coming on board in respect of the treaty and the forthcoming referendum. It is important to acknowledge-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Colm Burke: It is easy to be opposed to things in opposition but it is extremely helpful and welcome that he has come on board and has been extremely supportive of the referendum. I also acknowledge all members of the Fianna Fáil party in this regard. Like all Cork people, we stick together and after last Sunday in particular, when Mayo was not as lucky, the Cathaoirleach has realised this. Members...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for the detailed contribution on the Bill. There has been a significant increase in the demands on the social welfare system. People drawing social welfare do not have a choice because of the changes in the employment market. In 2010, €20.8 billion was paid out in social welfare when the yield from income tax was slightly over €11 billion. Last year, the yield...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I assure Senator Barrett that the solicitors in the country are not the cause of anti-competitive practice. As proof, the first case taken to a European court relating to anti-competitive practice was dealt with by a firm of Cork solicitors against Comhlacht Siúcra Éireann, which refused to sell sugar to distributors and decided to sell directly to shops. That was one of the first cases...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I would like to raise the issue of absenteeism in the health service. It may have been raised previously but I would like to raise it again because it is important at a time when there is much difficulty in making ends meet in the health service. There was a 19% absenteeism rate in one hospital in this country for the month of January. One out of every five workers was not at work when...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I am surprised by that last contribution. The Senator was elected by the university graduates and my understanding is that when somebody is elected, their role is to give leadership. I hope Senator Norris is circulating all his voters with the details of the treaty because that is our role in politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: If Senator Norris cannot read the document, I would have no difficulty in sitting down and going through each paragraph with him.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I raise the issue of the household charge. A letter in today's Irish Examiner from the Irish Property Owners Association states that its members are not in favour of paying water charges. These are the people who are required to pay €200 per annum because they have a second house or more houses. It was interesting to read, also in the Irish Examiner, that one person who owns more than...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: -----their net contribution is €80,000.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: That is a very small contribution. The Irish Property Owners Association is stating its members do not want to pay for services yet they enjoy all the benefits of the services. Rate payers, regardless of the local authority area in which they reside, must pay commercial rates. Those people are also carrying on commercial transactions and they must pay for services. It is appalling that a...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and wish him well in his new role. I pay tribute to my colleagues who have contributed in a constructive way to the debate. It is important when considering the issue to reflect on where we have come from. One of the submissions made to the sub-committee on the referendum was by Mr. Jim Power who stated: The EMU appeared to work well for the first decade,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator O'Sullivan in that matter. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has done a very good job and I compliment the Department and all those involved in progressing this sector and ensuring that Ireland is reaping the benefits of the hard work done over a long number of years. I wish to highlight the report published this week on the implementation of the reform of the intern year...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Colm Burke: I have visited a number of countries in which water was in scarce supply. At one hospital, water needed to be collected from its roof - it only rains there for two weeks per year - and stored in ten 50,000-litre tanks. That supply must sustain the hospital for 11 and a half months. In this light, one appreciates the value of water. In some Irish local authority areas, that more than 40% of...

Seanad: Rare Diseases (28 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: My matter relates to the medical condition epidermolysis bullosa, commonly known as EB. It refers to a group of genetic conditions, the central feature of which is extreme fragility of the skin. It is characterised by blisters and wounds on the skin and internal linings following even very minor friction. Children with the condition are often referred to as butterfly children, due to their...