Results 15,221-15,240 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I ask the Taoiseach to give attention to my request on this serious issue. On the list of legislation promised by the Department of Health and Children is the nurses and midwives Bill. There is currently concern with regard to the embargo on recruitment and the potential for the further loss of some 700 nurses-----

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: -----currently within the service who may not be replaced.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will the Taoiseach note that the nurses and midwives Bill has been on the list of promised legislation, as best I can establish, from as far back as 2002? That is a full seven years.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Does the Taoiseach not accept that there is something seriously amiss within the Department when legislation of this importance can be-----

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: -----set aside year after year?

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: What about the issue of swine flu?

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Sinn Féin Members are opposed to facilitating the Social Welfare Bill and the pensions insolvency payments scheme included therein which most certainly should be taken as separate legislation and not incorporated in the Social Welfare Bill. We are not prepared to support the measures included in the Social Welfare Bill or to facilitate its passage. I would be surprised if other voices...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Does the Taoiseach accept that the area in greatest need of reform within the public service is in the higher management of the public service and the political management of Departments? How can the Taoiseach and for example, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, stand over the inordinate period of time it takes to process applications from people recently out of work seeking...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: While I welcome the recognition of the need for greater flexibility, the need in the first instance must be to be able to meet unexpected or sudden increases in demand. Social welfare is the critical example of this at this point. We do not have sufficient flexibility or adaptability in terms of the numbers presenting and the chaos that has unfolded as a result. This issue has to be...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on progress to date by the Task Force on Public Service Reform. [16419/09]

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for getting silence in the House. Many hard-pressed families, to provide Christmas for their children, will be driven into the arms of the moneylenders. It is unacceptable. The guillotine has to be opposed. I urge that the guillotine be lifted and that the opportunity for full participation be provided to the Members of the House. Believe me, it is no...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I wish to add to the points made on the mental health (amendment) Bill. It is important to remind ourselves, as I did with the Taoiseach yesterday, that 319 people with intellectual disability are retained in psychiatric institutions in the State. This indicates the failure of the Government to move properly towards the full implementation of A Vision for Change.

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputies should look at the legislative programme presented here. The spring programme for 2009 stated that the mental health (amendment) Bill was expected to be published in 2009. Here we are into the so-called summer stage of the Dáil this year and publication is now expected in 2010. How many more deferrals of this essential legislation must we await before there is a realisation of...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: This must be for many, certainly young people below 40 years of age in particular, the most extraordinary of times in living and work experience memory. Over this past week and more, we have seen both the media and the political establishment focused on the proposition on what to all intents and purposes is a minor reshuffle of junior Ministers. We must take on board and recognise that...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is a scandal and a disgrace.

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is the real litmus test of the Tánaiste's position as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Government's intent on job retention and what measures she will add on top of that for job creation. These are the debates we need in this House and we need a strategy urgently from the Government.

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: No.

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Neither I, nor any of my Sinn Féin colleagues, have had an opportunity yet to participate on Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill. It will be difficult to find the opportunity in the course of the limited time being provided with a guillotine falling at 3.30 p.m. This is important legislation. Among the issues already referred to by Deputy Shortall, there is also the cancellation of...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take to break the siege on Gaza. [15860/09]

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (23 Apr 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will lift the suspension of the scheme of community support for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16093/09]