Results 201-220 of 10,663 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: With regard to recent judicial decisions, it is important to realise that in each case there is a right of appeal on matters still pending. Before a decision was arrived at a number of days were spent in court and a lot of issues were dealt with. To be fair to the Judiciary, it adopted a balanced approach. It does not always get it right, but there is an appeals procedure in place. I wish...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: They have not.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree to an extent with Senator Darragh O'Brien that priority should be given to addressing the problem of mortgage arrears. As someone who wears both a political and legal hat, every week I encounter cases of people who want to address their mortgage difficulties but do not have an avenue for doing so. While it is important to implement legislation to address this issue, we must do so...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: Unfortunately, the legislation in question did not stand up constitutionally, as the Senator's party was advised.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: Let us do this properly.

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: In a debate about EU matters we need to be positive in respect of what the European Union has done for us, because it appears we walk away from that when debating such issues. In 1992, 1.2 million people were at work. By 2008 the number had increased to 2.1 million, a huge increase in the number in employment in a short time. The reason we were allowed grow the workforce was that we had...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: People have criticised Ministers for not coming into the House but we must get our own house in order. I raise again the role we can play in European legislation. I understand a letter was sent to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission about the allocation of staff to deal with that issue. That was more than six weeks ago and I am anxious that the Deputy Leader looks at this issue again -...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I have a few questions.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: The other issue I wish to raise is that of third level colleges. It is wrong in this day and age that we have colleges producing graduates for whom there are no jobs in this country. I refer, in particular, to the law faculties, in respect of which we have not adjusted to the times. It is sad that it takes so long for a third level institution to change to meet what the market is now...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: We need some realism in this House. Last year we spent €13.4 billion on health care, including on medical cards, elderly care and hospital care, and we brought in €13.317 billion in income tax. Every cent paid in income tax last year was spent on health care. I refer to the payment of commercial rates. If one is a member of a local authority, one is not entitled to hold one's seat if...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: It is about leadership.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I wish to share time with Senator Jim D'Arcy.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: In dealing with this debate we need to examine one or two issues with regard to the economy. This morning I referred to the cost of health care and that we spent €13.4 billion on it last year and brought in €13.317 billion in income tax. We need to communicate what services cost because there is a total disconnect between what people feel they pay for and what they get. In real terms...

Seanad: Clotting Factor Concentrates and Other Biological Products Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and the Bill to the House. It is administrative legislation, in that it tidies up a situation. The Government and the Department received legal advice to the effect that the Bill was required to transfer this aspect of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's work to St. James's Hospital. It is a short Bill of just three sections and the Minister of State...

Seanad: Clotting Factor Concentrates and Other Biological Products Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (21 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the change in Sinn Féin policy. Twelve months ago, Deputy Adams told the IMF that it could go home with its money. Last night, Deputy Pearse Doherty said we should move away from where we are borrowing and rely on the IMF.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome Sinn Féin's change in policy on that issue. On previous occasions I raised the retention of medical graduates from Irish colleges in the health service. I have received a report showing that only 43% of the hospital interns recruited last year have remained in training in our hospitals. That is a worrying trend. Last year the HSE faced major difficulties in filling hospital...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I would like to talk on a positive note because there is much negativity today. Some young people were invited to India by the Irish ambassador to India for St. Patrick's week. Four young students, who are in a traditional Irish music band, were asked to play at a number of events in India. They were told Irish traditional music is growing in India which has a population of 1.2 billion....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: We need a dose of realism in respect of the household charge. I said this before in respect of the payment of commercial rates. People who are paying commercial rates should place on their front door or front window the amount of rates that they are paying to local authorities. One might walk into a paint shop to buy paint and paintbrushes. The shop might be only 1,000 sq. ft., but the...