Results 2,641-2,660 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will be taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme in February highlighted the deeply moving personal stories of people waiting for treatment in public hospitals. Following the programme the Minister was determined that the health service must learn from those patients' experiences. Patients deserve timely, effective and...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I agree with Deputy Kelleher that when information comes to the Dáil it must be correct because we can only act on correct information. He is right to highlight the fact that some of the information we received in the past was not as clear as it should have been. Many of those who work in the health service, clerical staff, doctors and nurses, do their jobs very well but only when...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this very important issue of support for sufferers of Parkinson's disease. It is estimated that 700,000 persons in Ireland are affected by neurological disease, 6,000 of whom have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Working in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals, patient support groups, patients and...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy. With respect to the Deputy and his devotion to the people of Kerry, he is always in the Chamber speaking about his constituents. We all have constituents. I know how when people have Parkinson's it affects not only the individuals, but their families. In saying this, I am sorry some of the statistics do not cover Kerry in particular, about which the Deputy is speaking,...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am sorry it has not been more centralised around County Kerry.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Research carried out on behalf of my Department by The University of Sheffield on minimum unit pricing, considered the impact by income on those who consume alcohol. The research indicated that the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products will impact on drinkers in all income groups. The impacts on high risk drinkers will be substantial and greater than on low risk drinkers.

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIQA Issues (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Naval Service Vessels (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I wish to acknowledge Senator Gavan's commencement matter. On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for defence, Deputy Paul Kehoe, who cannot be present due to other commitments, I wish to take the opportunity to respond to the Senator on the topic he has raised. It is a priority of the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Naval Service Vessels (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not have a written response to the Senator's remarks but I will give him some information that may be helpful. The Government is providing over €5 billion for housing in the coming years and is making steady progress. On a weekly basis, over 100 people are finding themselves housed in new homes. I believed it is not just to say that nothing is happening, because it is. We have...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Direct Investment (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. It is helpful to put our current foreign direct investment footprint into perspective by pointing out that 2016 was a record year for such investment in Ireland. IDA Ireland client companies created nearly 19,000 new jobs during the year across a range of sectors, with every region...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Direct Investment (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Okay. On the Apple data centre in Athenry, I want to be absolutely clear that while the company has not committed to proceed immediately, it has not abandoned the project in Galway. The company has insisted that its potential investment remains under active consideration. Given that the planning issues have now been resolved, we are optimistic that the data centre project will proceed. I...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank all Senators for their input to this afternoon's debate. There are many issues that I will be unable to address, unfortunately. I have taken numerous notes. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, was here before me and I know he has committed to follow up on some of the points as well. I will proceed with my statement and then after that I might be able to address some of the other...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I will be back in another half an hour.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: You should.

Seanad: JobPath: Motion (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Senators for their contributions and expressing their concerns. I have taken some detailed notes. Unfortunately, the Minister cannot be here. Hence, I am in attendance. I will not be able to answer many of the questions asked, but the Minister has provided me with a statement which I will read. I hope it will address one or two of the issues raised. As a human being and Minister...

Seanad: JobPath: Motion (15 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: No.

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Debating topics such as this is important, but it is also essential to be clear on the matter of responsibilities. The Minister for Finance is responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither he nor the Central Rank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: The Minister for Finance is concerned that there are suggestions of unfair loading elderly people's premiums, in particular, and he will continue to seek further information to see if this is a widespread issue. In the context of the general fall in the price of insurance premiums, it would be, in the Minister's view, unacceptable if this is the case. Accordingly, departmental officials who...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Services Funding (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am grateful for the opportunity to read into the record the reply of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who unfortunately cannot be here today. I welcome the opportunity to speak about funding in respect of Purple House Cancer Support in Bray. Purple House Cancer Support is a registered charity which provides support to those living with and beyond cancer. Groups such as Purple House...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Services Funding (16 Nov 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I reiterate to the Deputy that unfortunately the Minister cannot be here and that he would like to be here. I have been asked to take the Topical Issue on his behalf and I have noted many of the Deputy's concerns. Organisations, such as Purple House in Wicklow and in my area, do wonderful work. Those who work in them are filled with compassion when dealing with adults and children...