Results 16,281-16,300 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the staff of the PCRS for the work they do and pay particular tribute to Mr. Paddy Burke and his team, whom we visited when the unit was first established. There has been significant change since then and the staff are very professional and courteous.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister might also wish to thank Deputy Ó Caoláin who was part of the all-party committee on that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: We are not dealing with that. For the Senator's information, the composition of the membership of the committee does not fall within the remit of the committee. That is a matter for Dáil Éireann.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: One speaker please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: We will not have a referendum campaign here. This is the health committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should not do that. It is unfair in terms of our hearings and that the people he mentioned are not here to defend themselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but that is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Mr. O'Brien? Are there any other comments?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: No. I have five other members who wish to contribute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: Perhaps Mr. O’Brien would answer the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: Mr. Tony O’Brien answered it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: Members were asked to submit questions in advance of the meeting. To be fair to Mr. O’Brien, he is replying to question No. 2.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I will ask him to do that. Mr. O’Brien might communicate with Deputy Mitchell O’Connor after the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I assure the Deputy that we all got such letters from GPs in our constituencies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I will bring you back in, Deputy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: I know cases of people going to pharmacies and their cards have been rendered invalid.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: Can we change that in the short term rather than the long term?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: This committee has dealt with this extensively. The Minister will have our support if that can be done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: We will not go into that again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Meeting with Department of Health and HSE: Discussion on Health Issues (25 Jul 2013)

Jerry Buttimer: The final questioner in this segment is Deputy Mitchell O'Connor.