Results 11,321-11,340 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I have a question on section 50A(1)(b), as inserted by section 8 of this Bill, which refers to "the relevant criteria specified in rules made under section 11 relating to the registration of medical practitioners in the Supervised Division". I presume that is section 11 of the 2007 Act. I presume the Medical Council sets the rules but is it answerable to the Minister? In 2009, Dr. Mick...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: With regard to section 9, I am concerned that it appears-----

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: It ties in with the section 8.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: If someone drops out of a designated post, my understanding is that section 9 will prevent him or her from returning. Sections 52(4) and 52(5) of the Act specifically provide for allowing a person to return. Perhaps I am interpreting this incorrectly but I seek clarification.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I am satisfied with the Minister of State's answer to the question I asked previously. I wanted to know whether a person could stay in a specialist area but transfer to a different hospital if he or she was no longer able to continue working in the first hospital. I am still concerned about the impact of section 9 on the ability of a person who has sat an exam for a particular specialist...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill, as it addresses the issue of medical staffing, a critical issue in the health service. I regret the fact, however, that the Bill is being expedited through the House. This is not the optimum state of affairs. However, considering the time issue involved it is, unfortunately, necessary. Despite this, I hope we will scrutinise the...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for bringing forward the Bill at such an early opportunity. One often believes that the position with regard to regulation is adequate and that there is already legislation in place to allow Ministers to regulate in respect of particular matters. There was a case a number of years ago where regulation was in place but where there was a lack of...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (7 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I refer to the issue of timescale, which the Minister mentioned. However, I keep raising this issue in the context of different applications to Departments. The Garda must bring District Court proceedings within a specific time period. There is a need to set down a timeframe for many applications to various Departments where consent is required. Will the Minister examine this?

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for setting time aside to deal with this matter. I also thank Senator Leyden for introducing the Bill. I agree with what the Minister said. If I was asked to write a speech for her it would match what she said word for word. As someone who has been in legal practice for over 25 years I am well aware of the difficulties that can arise when...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: That is what happens when one is in legal practice for 25 years. These concerns need to be examined. The Bill, as drafted, is not the solution but it highlights the need for people to make wills. As Senator David Cullinane emphasised, with more young families it is important guardianship and other legal effects are planned for in the event of a premature death. I agree with the Minister's...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I am aware the Minister of State has just come from a meeting where this issue was being discussed. I apologise, but I understood the Adjournment would be a little later. This issue concerns property that was built with planning permission under the planning Acts which must comply with Part V. In order to comply with Part V, the agreement is that the developer must provide a separate piece...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, in the case to which I referred, a lack of demand for housing is not the issue and the development is located within a mile of a large urban centre. It is not desirable to have such a development sitting idle, as is the case in other locations throughout the State. I take on board what the Minister of State said, but my concern is that...

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is extremely important that clarity is provided. As someone who served on the board of the Port of Cork for ten years and who dealt with a number of issues regarding foreshore licences, we found at times there were delays because of the procedures that were in place. It is important that applications are dealt with in a speedy fashion. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I also welcome the visit by the President of the European Parliament. I had the privilege of sitting beside him for two years in the European Parliament where, as people may not be aware, we sit in alphabetical order. As a former Prime Minister of Poland, he is very well qualified to hold the role of President. The issue I wish to raise comes under the remit of the Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator O'Donovan to a large degree. However, my problem with amending the period to three years is that while much work has been done to improve the current procedures on bankruptcy, once a person is declared bankrupt it still takes time to go through the entire procedure of collecting and distributing whatever money is involved. I would be inclined to move to the five year...

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank Senator Mullen for tabling the motion. It is important we debate the issue and that legislation be introduced. Many people employed in the public and private sectors are aware of illegal activities but are afraid to come forward. In the present economic circumstances, people are afraid for their jobs, afraid of damaging promotion...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise again an issue I raised a number of weeks ago on why we are facing a problem with junior doctors. In fairness to the Minister, he has dealt with it in the best way he can in a very short time but the issue which caused the problem was the centralisation of job applications and the lack of consultation between HSE management and local management on what vacancies will arise....

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving us the time here today to debate this jobs initiative. It is very important that we provide hope. Listening to other speakers, there seems to be a negative view out there, so I should open by talking about events last weekend, when one of our international golfers, Rory McIlroy, won a major international event. I know of one bus company in Killarney that...