Results 1,461-1,480 of 8,058 for speaker:Peter Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: Obviously, we would be concerned by such a policy. I have not seen the detail of it. I was travelling into late last night and only got back this morning. Reforming the asylum and migration pact is obviously of critical importance to the EU, as is dealing with countries of origin and trying to ensure they are getting key supports to try to solve some of the difficulties they have in those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: Yes, absolutely.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank members for the engagement. I will come back on the various different issues, including those raised by Deputy Haughey in respect of the EPF.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: 179. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what tender process is in place to allow local suppliers and facilities management companies to apply for tenders for upcoming contracts of catering and cleaning of IPAS centres; if consideration will be given to a company (details supplied) that cannot access the tender process , and if he will make a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Howlin for his questions. As I said, in the first instance it is very welcome that we now have a framework to really open a new chapter in the relationship with the UK because we are all aware of how important a very strong relationship with the UK is for peace and stability on our island and into the future there are many common issue with the EU and the UK. Specifically on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: It is on the table, along with discussing countries of origin, countries of transit and a raft of resettlement issues. There are issues with legal pathways and reforming member states' adjudication processes, which is a big challenge for us because of the increase in numbers with which we are dealing. We are working with our EU counterparts on the matter, however. I have not seen a final...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Working Group on Disinformation (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I wish the people on tour the very best. It is great to see the Public Gallery packed again, as they observe us do our business. I am taking the Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Martin, this morning. As we are all in no doubt, the issue of disinformation is a complex and challenging problem to tackle.It affects many different parts of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I am aware that this is very important infrastructure which the Senator has raised a number of times. There is a fivefold increase in freight going through Rosslare Europort post Brexit.A number of key connectivity ferry routes have increased which have been discussed at a European level recently. I appreciate that connectivity is critical for it. The Minister for Transport has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maritime Safety (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this very important issue. I acknowledge the efforts of his community in keeping the area tidy. It is very frustrating if the State is not living up to its side of the bargain when communities are doing so much. I can hear the Senator's frustration on the matter. The relevant legislation that allows for the removal of abandoned vessels in Irish waters...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: On behalf of the Minister for Health, I would like to respond to Senator Craughwell, who I thank for raising this very important matter. At the outset, I wish to state that the Minister acknowledges that the provision of appropriate audiology services to children and adults is an important aspect of the healthcare system. The provision of such can prevent other health problems and promote...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: As the Acting Chair has said, I acknowledge Senator Craughwell discussing his personal experience. It is something I know from my late dad who had great difficulty in hearing. It puts people on the periphery of conversations and puts them out of social discourse with people. This has significant consequences for their ability to fit in and meet people. It has an impact on people's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Senator Gallagher for tabling this very important issue regarding the National Ambulance Service and resourcing in the north east. I will take it on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. As Members of this House are aware, our ambulance service has experienced a significant and unprecedented rise in patient demand in the past two years. Last year a record total of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Senator Gallagher for his very important Commencement matter. As I pointed out, more than €200 million of an unprecedented level of investment was approved in the past year for the National Ambulance Service. This provided for front-line paramedic capacity building, as I outlined in my opening statement, as well as a provision for 27,000 hours through the private ambulance...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Working Group on Disinformation (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I wish to point out that there is an independent secretariat to record all items discussed at Government meetings. I do not want the suggestion to be thrown out that there is anything inappropriate about the Government meeting tech firms. As we all know, and as Senators in this House are acutely aware, politicians in Ireland are very accessible to all strands of society, which is very...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: It certainly is a priority. We have very clearly pointed out the increase in freight and passenger numbers passing through Rosslare post Brexit. To take advantage of these opportunities, additional infrastructure is needed to connect all the routes together and the strong connectivity that lies between Dublin and the rest of the country. It is a very important project and as I have said,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maritime Safety (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I hear Senator Lombard's frustration in connection with this issue. I will endeavour to talk to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and to liaise with the Senator specifically on a timeline for the legislation that we referenced, which would potentially be a help. This is also to give his community some assurance. He rightly pointed out in his intervention the great work they are doing in living up...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I wish to respond on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I thank Deputy Hourigan for raising this issue. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced special Covid leave with pay for all Civil Service and public sector employees at the start of the pandemic to assist in preventing the onward spread of Covid in work premises. Currently, special Covid...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Hourigan for the very important points she has raised. I will pass them on to the Minister for Health. The Government recognises the significant role of public healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. They have gone beyond the call of duty, working at the front line, in clinically exposed environments treating Covid-positive patients in extremely difficult circumstances....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: As I mentioned in my opening statement, significant resources have been invested in UHL over recent years. The workforce at UHL has increased by 42%, or 1,161 whole-time equivalents, since the end of 2019. It is accepted that a key part of the solution for Limerick is additional beds. Work on a new inpatient block at UHL has commenced, with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, breaking...