Results 4,501-4,520 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: As the Deputy is aware, the legislation gave a three-year cut-off point, which in all circumstances was reasonable. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, has met with Marie Therese O'Loughlin. The other institution which the woman spent time in is included. She is free to apply on the basis of this other institution, which she should perhaps be encouraged to do.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: As the Deputy is aware, the first institution was not owned by the State and the State had no inspectorate role. Any injuries inflicted in that institution are not covered by the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: If any damage was caused to Marie Therese O'Loughlin in the other institution she would qualify. We cannot make exceptions for individuals, difficult as this may be. If the State had no role, it should not be expected to——

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: There will be many other examples with people in the same situation.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: We cannot cover all private institutions in the country, as that would be unreasonable.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: The commitment was to publish these Bills before the start of the next session. There is still over a month left and we believe most of the Bills will be published.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: One of the Bills, the Building Control Bill 2003, which Deputy Quinn has a special interest in, was cleared by the Government this week.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: The appointment of a Minister of State to the Department of Transport is a matter for the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach will make a recommendation to the Government. I understand the Taoiseach has stated his intent to do so in January.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: Either the Deputy did not read the recent survey or she is more biased than I anticipated. An independent group surveyed 42% of patients who visited hospitals last year, of whom 91% were satisfied and would return to the same hospital. By any standards that is a very satisfactory rating. The legislation is a major Bill. HIQA has been established and is recruiting a chief executive officer and...

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I apologise. It will be in the House before next summer.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I made it clear to the House in October that the repayment scheme for charges for publicly funded long-stay residential care Bill would not be ready until next year. I recall saying that one morning on the Order of Business. The complexity mainly revolves around the issue of the wards of court which the Law Reform Commission has been considering for some time. The heads of the Bill are about...

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: The judicial council Bill will be ready next year.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill is awaiting Committee Stage.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: In the unlikely event of that happening there will have to be a thorough investigation of all these matters, which the Government is willing to conduct. This is not the only such case. I am aware of other cases in private institutions and unfortunately we cannot open up every private institution in this situation.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I compliment the Deputy on the very distracting tie he is wearing.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I will ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to respond to the Deputy on that matter.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: Professor Drumm is accountable to the House under the legislation passed last year. If the Labour Party wishes to propose the abolition of the role of Minister for Health and Children in its next election manifesto we can have a good debate at that point.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I wish to take the opportunity to wish the Ceann Comhairle, Members and the staff a happy Christmas. As this is our last sitting day before Christmas, on my and the Government's behalf, I thank all the staff who serve the Members with great integrity, enthusiasm and dedication.

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Financial Resolution. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging in accordance with the Act of certain fees, being fees for the granting or renewal of employment permits, for the purpose of permitting persons who require such permits to be in employment in the State.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (15 Dec 2005)

Mary Harney: An tArd-Chláraitheoir, or Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration service in Ireland. I have made inquiries with him and I am informed that the position is as follows. The provisions relating to births of the Civil Registration Act 2004 were commenced on 5 December 2005. These provisions govern the civil registration of...