Results 17,981-18,000 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: The amendment proposes to give an alleged victim of trafficking six months' temporary residence which may be renewable in the State. I do not propose to go into any detail on this issue at this time. It will be more appropriate for discussion when the Immigration Residence and Protection Bill comes before the House after Easter. I am sure Senator O'Reilly will have the opportunity to...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I thank all Members who contributed to the debate on Second, Committee and Report Stages. It is important legislation. I thank the House for its co-operation.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I understand that Roscommon County Childcare Committee received funding from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law reform under the Enhancing Disabilities Services (EDS), to undertake the Páistí le Chéile project. With regard to my own Office, funding is provided on an annual basis to support the activities set out in the Action Plans of the 33 City and County Childcare Committees....

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Senators for making those points on these amendments. As previous speakers said, the amendments have been debated in great detail in this House on Committee Stage. The argument basically boils down as to whether the protection of victims and supply of services to them should be dealt with statutorily and administratively. There is no difference between us in our concern for...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: Nobody was quoted anonymously in this House. That is inaccurate.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: Amendments which I introduced on Committee Stage created an offence of soliciting or importuning a trafficked person for the purpose of prostitution. I am advised by the Parliamentary Counsel, who drafted the amendment, that the definition of "trafficked person" used in those amendments might — I would not put it any stronger than this — give rise to some confusion as to the meaning of...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the VHI is not in an arrangement with any group that is tendering to operate co-located hospitals. As I said earlier, and as Deputy O'Sullivan accepted, the focus of the VHI will be on building up the reserves and achieving a critical mass with regard to authorisation. Naturally, having achieved authorisation, it is equally important — and in fact mandatory — for the...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Flanagan for outlining those issues. The two points of his contribution will be answered in that the position as provided for, under the provisions of the Bill, is that the VHI would be obliged to attain authorisation at the earliest opportunity. Until authorisation is achieved it is not to be given any additional powers. I hope that assurance will assure Deputy Flanagan on...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am happy the regulator has the relevant authority.

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: Amendment No. 9 will clarify that the provisions included in section 8(3) will also apply to the subsidiary established for the purpose of carrying on the board's health insurance business under section 10. It is noted that this amendment does not extend to section 8(1). However, it clarifies further that the relevant subsidiary, on establishment, shall be required to be consistent with...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 9: In page 8, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "(3) Section 8(3) shall apply to the relevant subsidiary as that section applies to a subsidiary referred to in section 8(1).".

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 10: In page 8, line 43, to delete "does" and substitute "shall".

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 11: In page 9, line 49, to delete "11" and substitute "8".

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Charlie Flanagan for raising some important issues of competition and the dominant position of the VHI. This amendment is not necessary. The Competition Authority is an independent body that is not subject to direction from legislation of this nature. The Competition Authority has powers under section 30 of the Competition Act to take an action where any enterprise may be...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 13: In page 11, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: "(5) A State guarantee shall not be provided to enable the Board or a subsidiary to raise or borrow money under this section or under any other provision of the Voluntary Health Insurance Acts 1957 to 2008.". Members were advised on Committee Stage that an amendment would be tabled on Report Stage to...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 14: In page 11, lines 22 and 23, to delete all words from and including "(other" in line 22 down to and including "Act" in line 23 and substitute the following: "made by the Minister under section 2(5)(b)(ii) (inserted by section 6(c)) of the Act of 1996 or under section 9 or section 15". These amendments are technical amendments. It is noted that the VHI Acts do not...

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 15: In page 11, line 25, to delete "or regulation".

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 16: In page 11, line 27, to delete "or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation" and substitute "is laid before it, the order".

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harney, and myself, I thank all Members who have participated in the consideration of the Bill on Second, Committee and Report Stages for their different viewpoints. In particular, I thank the Opposition spokespersons in the Dáil and the Seanad for the amendments tabled. The amendments that were accepted or resulted in Parliamentary Counsel drafting...