Results 11,161-11,180 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Local Authority Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. While I acknowledge that some progress has been made in the past 12 months and local authorities have websites in place, they still appear to be reluctant to identify officials and their responsibilities. Progress is required in this area. As I have noted on a number of occasions, I contacted the Revenue Commissioners when I...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I remind the House that a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children will visit the centralised processing centre on Friday. As part of the delegation, I am hopeful that some of the issues that were raised in this House will be raised at that meeting and that we will get a resolution. I agree with my colleagues that it is a problem that has been going on for far...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I presume Senator Mooney will support it.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I am always mesmerised by the enthusiasm of the other side for a referendum, in particular when one takes into account the position of south Kerry in the previous two referenda when Fianna Fáil could not be found. Party members did not knock on one door to explain to people what was involved in the referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: Senator Daly referred to a democratic deficit but there was very much a democratic deficit-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: -----because he did not explain to people what the referendum was about. South Kerry got one of the highest "No" votes in those two referenda; more than in any other part of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: When he talks about a democratic deficit then he should talk about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I was pleased to be in south Kerry to explain to people what was involved in the referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: An allegation was made that the Government consulted with the Attorney General during negotiations. Of course the Attorney General was involved in consultations on any matter involving a treaty at all times. It is part of the role of the Attorney General to give legal advice in any negotiations. To suggest that the role of the Attorney General was misused is a little rich.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: It is only appropriate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: Allegations were made in the House today about the Minister. They do not stand up and it is wrong that allegations are made. We are waiting for a response from the Attorney General on the referendum. That response will be available within the next two weeks and we will deal with the matter at that stage.

Seanad: Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: The Minister might be able to clarify a concern I would like to raise about section 6. This section provides that the consent of the HSE must be acquired when someone requests to move to another location. I am concerned that the absence of a right of appeal in these circumstances means judicial review is the only avenue that is open to a person who does not receive the consent of the HSE....

Seanad: Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for dealing with this, which is an important development. I always wondered why this issue was never challenged in the courts over the past ten or 15 years. This is welcome and it opens up an opportunity for young, trained people to begin a career where they can make a contribution. It is important to give recognition to the contribution medical practitioners make in...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the decision by the Minister for Education and Skills on DEIS schools. This is the first time I have heard Members complaining in this House about 235 jobs being saved.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: In my constituency of Cork North-Central, teachers who were going to lose their jobs will now be retained in an important area that requires additional teachers.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: The success of the breaking the cycle programme has been proven by the number of students who have progressed to second and third level. Let us look at the positive aspects of the education system. My colleague, Senator Leyden raised the issue of the schools building programme. Could savings be made in this area? It appears to take forever to take a project from start to finish. Surely in...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the raising of the important issue today of human rights in China. As I stated last week, it is also important, however, we have a balanced debate about the positives in China too. Over 150 million people have been brought above the poverty line in less then ten years. When I was in Shanghai some time ago, I noted over 350,000 young people were in third level education with a...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: If Senator Cullinane does not want the €100 charge collected what services does he want cut?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I do. If we are to provide services to our citizens we must have money to pay for them. Last week I met the manager of a hotel which pays €10,000 a week in commercial rates. This is the reality of what the commercial sector pays to local authorities. We need to get real; if we want services we must have money to pay for them. We can no longer borrow ad infinitum and decide we will not...

Seanad: European Globalisation Fund (15 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This issue relates to the European Globalisation Fund, EGF, and the need to ensure we draw down all the funds available to us. Some €35.7 million was to be made available to us under this fund and I understand that the companies and the names of the people entitled to draw these funds were submitted with the applications over the past 12 months...