Results 201-220 of 309 for speaker:Keith Swanick

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (21 Mar 2018)

Keith Swanick: I acknowledge the opening of the theatre in Merlin Park and I am delighted that one theatre is opening. However, there is a huge backlog of surgery with over 1,000 patients awaiting elective surgery in Merlin Park. When will the second theatre open? A huge phase of catch-up work needs to commence as soon as possible.I acknowledge that the contracts have been issued for the modular units...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2018)

Keith Swanick: Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the Warrington bombing. Two bombs, placed in bins, were exploded without warning by the Provisional IRA on Bridge Street, Warrington. Three year old Johnathan Ball died at the scene, 12 year old Tim Parry died five days later from his injuries and 54 others were injured. Nobody was ever prosecuted for these murders and this barbaric incident shocked...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Keith Swanick: My colleagues and I obviously support the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This has the potential to be an important moment for tens of thousands of people living with disabilities in this country. Ratification has been a long time coming and we have criticised the Government for delays on many occasions. Of course, ratification alone will not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Evaluation of the Use of Prescription Drugs: Discussion (21 Mar 2018)

Keith Swanick: I apologise for coming and going; I had a few media interviews and a Commencement debate. I have been speaking about loneliness and have set up a task force to address the issue. We all know the devastating effects the epidemic of loneliness can have on both physical and mental health. It is estimated that 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from loneliness, and more than 9 million people in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Evaluation of the Use of Prescription Drugs: Discussion (21 Mar 2018)

Keith Swanick: I acknowledge that the witness is very busy, but he might take the time to make a submission to the Loneliness Taskforce at www.lonelinesstaskforce.com. We would be very grateful because we intend to publish a report in May.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State for taking the debate. I am sure that as Minister of State, he has visited many nursing homes. As we know, they are fantastic institutions operated by dedicated individuals who selflessly work night and day to take care of our loved ones. Nursing homes play a key role in healthcare delivery in Ireland. It is never an easy decision for families or individuals...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. It heartens me to hear that he is in contact with the individual concerned. As the Minister of State will be aware, the population is getting older. In the next 30 years, the number of people over 65 will double and the number of people over 85 will quadruple. Of course, that will put extra pressures on the health system, especially...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: I, too, support the call of my colleague, Senator Conway-Walsh, to bring the Minister, Deputy Ross, into the House to talk about connectivity in public transport, especially in rural areas. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 63, motion 12, on the Seanad Order Paper be taken before No. 1. My bias is known. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware, I am a general...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: In light of the Leader's response, I am happy to withdraw the amendment. I look forward to having the Minister in the House to debate the matter.

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: Section 1 of the Bill deals with the various definitions contained within the Bill. Ar dtús cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta, agus Gaeltachta, an Teachta Madigan, as a bheith anseo inniu. Tá sé in am anois comóradh a dhéanamh ar cruinniú an Chéad Dáil. I believe it is now time to commemorate the Declaration of Independence...

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: Section 2 of the Bill specifies that 21 January will be known as Declaration of Independence Day, and that it will be celebrated annually, irrespective of the day on which it falls. This is an important aspect of the Bill because if we are to give the recognition that these events rightly deserve, we need there to be a consistent date in the calendar. It would be up to individuals,...

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: Section 3 is a standard section providing the Short Title and commencement provisions. It is very important that the commencement element of this Bill is as follows: "This Act shall come into operation on the date of its passing." The 100th anniversary of the meeting of the First Dáil and the Declaration of Independence is less than one year away and therefore we need to act quickly on it.

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire, Teachta Madigan, agus gach Seanadóir a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo. I was heartened last July during the Second Stage debate when the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Humphreys stated:The convening of the First Dáil on 21 January 1919 will be one of the key historical events to be...

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Apr 2018)

Keith Swanick: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Local Government Accountability Bill 2018: Second Stage (9 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend Senator Ó Domhnaill on his initiative in introducing this legislation, which I wholeheartedly support. It sets out a new statutory framework for the reply to queries from local authority members. We have discussed the public's connectivity and engagement with local politics. It is important that citizens feel that they are in...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: I wish to comment on the response to the tragic CervicalCheck controversy. As we all know, 209 cases of cancer were diagnosed where results should have been escalated. Sadly, 18 of those poor patients have passed on. I want to flag a patient, Jacinta Doyle, who is a Wexford lady and a mother of two. She had a smear in 2011 and no issues were raised with that smear, but in 2012 she was...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (16 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: I move amendment no. 4:In page 3, lines 16 to 20, to delete all words from and including “by” in line 16 down to and including line 20 and substitute the following:“by—(a) the insertion of the following definitions:(i) “ ‘Act of 2015’ means Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; (ii) ‘guiding principles’ shall be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: To set the context, I would like to comment briefly about the response to the whole tragic controversy. While I understand the pressures that are on the system since the controversy broke, I would like to highlight one particular case that really brings home the anguish and worry of women across the country, and that is the case of Jacinta Doyle. She is a Wexford woman and mother of two who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: It was 26 November 2015. It would be interesting to find that out. There was also a meeting on 28 January 2016 at 2.30 p.m. The Minister had a meeting with the Department, the director general and the HSE. Was any of the witnesses in attendance at that meeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Keith Swanick: This lady had a history of cervical cancer and she still had to have three contacts with the service.