Results 3,421-3,440 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Northern Secretary, Mr. Peter Hain, in Wales on 4 February 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/07]

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: At the outset, I wish to record my warm welcome for the agreement reached between the DUP and Sinn Féin on the full establishment of the Executive by 8 May. The Taoiseach is aware that Sinn Féin would have preferred the Executive and all the other bodies that arise from it to have been up and running as of Monday of this week. Undoubtedly however, the Adams-Paisley agreement was truly...

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Little can be added to what has been said because Deputy Stagg covered the key points. On behalf of my colleagues in Sinn Féin, I make the point that this is an abuse of the House and will lead to deficiencies in legislation. There are many examples of rushed legislation in recent years with no opportunity being given to properly address amendments and the reflective opinion of Opposition...

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I have a question on the same matter. It was I who asked the question on the Mahon tribunal. I wanted clarification on it because clearly the record of the House showed that the Taoiseach indicated that the issue of fees in the Mahon case was "[still] under discussion". When did the Cabinet meeting take place yesterday? We learned this morning that the decision had been taken.

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The decision was certainly taken yesterday to continue the old fee structure. If an error has occurred here, whatever way it has occurred, the Taoiseach has a responsibility to correct the record.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 5: In page 17, line 44, after "order" to insert the following: "following consultation and agreement by the Council". I commend this amendment to the Minister. I was unable to contribute to Second Stage due to a personal health setback. I wish to take this opportunity to emphasise what was stated by my colleague, Deputy Crowe, who spoke on Second Stage on my behalf....

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank the Minister for her kind remarks, which she already conveyed to me personally. I am very grateful for that. This is an important measure. There is a serious chasm between the position argued for by the representative interests, who have lobbied extensively, and what the Bill now proposes to do. While I have indicated, as my colleague did on Second Stage, that I have no difficulty...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 9: In page 22, lines 26 and 27, to delete all words from and including "in" in line 26 down to and including "Minister" in line 27. As with amendment No. 5, this amendment attempts to moderate the somewhat heavy-handed approach implicit in the original wording of the Bill, namely, "in a form and manner in accordance with any directions issued by the Minister". Deputy...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I wish to raise a further point with the Minister, who did not respond to any of the points I made. I refer to section 13, requiring the council to match the expectation of the Minister and the Department in respect of the statement of strategy. These words are unnecessary and equate to the strategy being drafted in the Minister's office. It may not happen but it might as well. This is...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: There is no objection to a statement of strategy. That was not the kernel of my argument.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Amendment No. 20 in my name is pertinent to this evening's private Members' business. Many times, my Sinn Féin colleagues and I have raised the unacceptability of the manner in which people are appointed to State bodies. This Bill is different in that the members of the Medical Council will be nominated by specified bodies. Five lay people will be appointed by the Minister. As we have...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am delighted to hear that. You are very welcome. I urge the Minister to accept the amendment and allow for the Oireachtas Joint — or Select — Committee on Health and Children to have this further function. It would be a useful and welcome development. The Minister may very well find herself a member of the committee and welcome such an opportunity to participate.

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It cannot be moved?

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 20: In page 25, line 26, after "Minister" to insert the following: ", following consultation and approval by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children". It is almost like Ballinspittle; I feel something has moved here. With reference to amendment No. 20, the Minister did not comment on the proposal in the amendment regarding the possibility of the Oireachtas...

Medical Practitioners Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am pressing it.

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (28 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, with regard to the private for profit hospital co-location plan, the competitive dialogue phase of the process with the Health Service Executive and the relevant hospitals has been completed; the core requirements identified in respect of each public hospital site involved in the scheme; if preferred bidders have been invited to...

Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I agree with Deputy Gormley in this regard. While I have no objection in principle to the proposition to refer the matter for further scrutiny, there is a requirement on the Tánaiste to give a bounden guarantee that this matter will be properly addressed in the House. Members need to know where exactly stand the Tánaiste and his colleagues in respect of the proposed developments on the...

Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Tánaiste will have heard, as we all did, the appeals this morning from his co-professionals, representatives of those practising barristers who indicated very clearly that the Tánaiste is on a dangerous course. It is important to remind ourselves that protections of innocent citizens are at stake and it is not only about addressing those who are law breakers. We are dealing with major...

Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: No.

Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I would like to ask, against the backdrop of evasion and mutter here all week, and in light of the clarity of the Minister for Health and Children's reply to a parliamentary question I asked yesterday about the tenders for private for-profit hospital co-locations on public hospital sites——