Results 3,301-3,320 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (27 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: As Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, Sinn Féin will not be opposing the Bill. We all have a duty to protect our heritage and history. That is why the Deputy and others in opposition have put in amendments. The disappointing thing here is the same as it was on Committee Stage. The Government does not seem to be prepared to accept any amendments to improve anything from this side of the...

Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (27 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: I raise the case of St. Cualan's bell, which was found in the late 18th century in Borrisoleigh and dates back many centuries before that. As has already been said, like so many items of its nature from this country, it is no longer found here. It was sold to the British Museum, where it forms part of its religious displays. It is not right that items such as this, which have such...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (27 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: 137. To ask the Minister for Health if the numerous referrals issued by GPs in the case of a person (details supplied) are being given adequate priority given their recurrent tonsillitis; his views on the fact that no appointment date has been given to the patient, despite a number of referral letters indicating the persistent and painful nature of their tonsillitis being issued to the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Hear, hear.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. We cannot leave anything to chance when it comes to supporting people who are subjected to DSGBV, tackling this serious problem and reducing its prevalence. There has been a need for some time for the creation of a statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing these crimes and supporting victims and survivors. The pooling of resources...

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: As we have a quorum, we can begin our meeting. Apologies have been received from Senator Fintan Warfield. We will now go into private session to deal with housekeeping matters.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Before we begin, I will read out some formal notices. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement....

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Yes, you have.

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: On that, are there other sectors, outside counselling and psychotherapy, that are outside the tax exemption like the others?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: The counsellors and psychotherapists are looking to become tax-exempt. Are there other professions in the health service caught like them or-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Okay. Could Mr. O'Sullivan guide us through the different pathways and approaches to the work people in this area do? Is there any kind of difference of opinion or conflict within the professions concerned that need to be ironed out or clarified? I ask that because it would be worth getting Mr. O'Sullivan's view as to whether the Minister is focused on the register or concerned primarily...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Can Mr. O'Sullivan foresee potential issues the registration board may encounter in regulating the sector? This is a sector the Minister says is so diverse. Can Mr. O'Sullivan pinpoint things he can see that may be holding this up?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: To think there is no regulation on mental health service providers is the frightening thing, as Deputy Buckley said. It is a crazy situation. Has the board itself contacted practitioners and has an outline been given of any issues that might be delaying the process?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: That was the next question I was going to ask. Regarding this slow progress, what kind of an impact is having on the sector? More importantly, what kind of an impact do service providers see it having on service users?

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Yes. When it comes to mental health, it is the poor relation in the health service overall. I refer to the statistic Mr. O'Sullivan mentioned earlier regarding the average European budget allocation to health being 12%, while it is 5% here. I am involved with the Fight for Mental Health Services group in County Tipperary. We have a situation where somebody going to the hospital in Clonmel...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: As Deputy Buckley said, as individuals we will all follow up and we will also follow it up as a committee. In February 2019 the board was set up and in 2023 they are still dragging their heels. It should not be acceptable at any stage when talking about mental health, or any form of health. There is no reason a timeframe cannot be given to get things set in stone. It is just crazy and it...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Mental Health Services: Discussion (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Those of us who are here have found it very beneficial and we thank Mr. O'Sullivan for coming in and giving his side of it. We will suspend now for a few minutes to allow the witness to leave the room.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: We have five petitions for consideration today. The first is No. P00021/22, regarding the Kiltimagh water scheme. The recommendations are that the response from Mayo County Council and Uisce Éireann be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days, the committee writes to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the status on approval of the extension,...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: Is that agreed? Agreed. Petition No. P00067/22 relating to the New Zealand tobacco initiative, is from Mr. Robert Carty. The petition requests that the Irish Government look at the New Zealand tobacco initiative to reach the target of less than 5% of the population smoking by 2025. New Zealand recently passed a law that makes it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Browne: I second those remarks. I thank Karen, Barbara, Alex and the rest of the staff for all the work that they do on our behalf and for making our lives easier. The amount of work that they go through is unbelievable.