Results 11,241-11,260 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: On the matter raised by Senator Norris, I understand the committee which will scrutinise the appointment to the Court of Auditors does not include any Irish MEPs. However, MEPs who are not official members may attend the meeting and raise questions. I also understand eight nominations will come before the committee in question today, of which six will be approved and two referred for...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I join with my colleagues in wishing to raise the Fr. Reynolds matter. I pay tribute to the solicitors who acted for him. People are open in their criticism of the legal profession, but this was a case where the legal profession stood by their client in spite of the fact that it was up against a major player in the Irish media. The solicitor took on the media and came through with the...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving of her time this morning. I read an article by Gordon Brown in one of the newspapers recently not only about trade between Ireland and countries outside Europe but also about Europe's role. The figures he produced showed that less than 7.5% of all exports from Europe went to the countries that accounted for 70% of the global growth rate this year. Only 2% of...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: From the Irish point of view, there is a need for joined-up thinking at European level, whereby Europe would be more proactive in ensuring we gain a bigger slice of the world market. Some years ago it accounted for 40% of the world market but now it dominates only 20%. Has there been any discussion at European level about gaining access to these markets?

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for giving us time to deal with the matter. There were very constructive contributions from everybody and the Minister of State has a good grasp of the issue. The amendments-----

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I second the motion and thank my colleague for taking the initiative at a Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to research and draft the proposals contained therein. I was a member of Cork City Council for 12 years. I represented an area around UCC where huge changes have occurred in alcohol consumption patterns over that period. Whereas pubs were previously a common social outlet for young...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I support the call for a debate on jobs. There is a need to discuss the various issues. Senator Cullinane raised the issue of jobs. It was interesting to read in the newspapers this morning about the difficulties in the other part of this island with job creation. Perhaps he might outline some of the ideas being used in Northern Ireland, where his party is part of the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: In the island of Ireland-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: -----many of the issues are the same. Perhaps the Senators will let us know some of the ideas they are using in Northern Ireland. The newspapers this morning seem to indicate that there are difficulties in that part of the island as well. It is important that we are constructive and if there are ideas we can adopt from that part of the island, we are open to accepting them. It is also...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: We have no difficulty with Senator Cullinane and his party giving us a detailed written submission on their proposals. I am sure the Minister for Finance will take on board all proposals furnished-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: -----but we will arrive decisions which are in the best interests of this country. I refer to the role of the VHI in the private health care sector. The company has taken a decision not to cover patients who wish to avail of services at a brand new hospital in Cork. The hospital cost €75 million to build. It is fully equipped with MRI scanners, four new operating theatres and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise the issue of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. There is a vote in the European Parliament next week about this funding. Nearly 6,000 Irish construction workers are entitled to benefit from this, and we have a time limit of seven months in which to make sure all the paperwork is in order and draw down the funding. The total fund will be €55 million and it is for...

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: My involvement in the voluntary sector is based on my legal background and my chairmanship of a community association which employed more than 30 people under a community employment scheme, which worked effectively. Many of the people involved in that scheme had gotten into the rut of being unemployed and found participation in it extremely helpful in terms of assisting them to get back into...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to join in the debate on Gaza. I visited Gaza as a Member of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee four weeks after Israel used extreme force, cluster munitions and white phosphorus and got away with it. More than 1,400 people were killed. I fully support the call for a debate on this matter. However, it is important we put it into perspective. Pressure on Israel...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I am aware of that but I would like to put it into perspective. Israel is the fourth largest exporter of arms in the world and yet in a four year period, it imported $1.4 billion worth of arms and munitions. While the protest helps to highlight the issue, the real pressure should come from Europe and the US because they can force a change in policy. There is a need for a change in policy in...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: A Chathaoirligh, I do not understand-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: How can this be raised when the matter will be debated next week?

Seanad: Recent Developments in the Eurozone: Discussion with Minister of State (8 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. I refer to the availability of money, in particular for small and medium sized businesses. The Minister of State referred to a structure, or a mechanism, to make money available to small and medium sized companies. Will she elaborate on what is proposed in that regard because it is one of the big problems facing this country? To give her an idea of the...

Seanad: Recent Developments in the Eurozone: Discussion with Minister of State (8 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for her response to issues raised by me and Senator Leyden. Given the volume of EU legislation that is coming through, one of the problems is that committees are under pressure. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children and many issues at a national level are confronting it. The one committee that is working effectively on EU changes is the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I would welcome a debate on the appointment of the nominee to the Court of Auditors. The information I am getting from Brussels is that there is no enthusiasm for this appointment and it is important that there is a debate in this House. There is a draft report from the committee on budgetary control in Brussels which is being considered and it will go through the full course if the...