Results 461-480 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The inspiration for this Bill lies in the Prospectus report. It is important to highlight this because it was suggested otherwise throughout the debate that it has something to do with the Hanly report.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I realise there are only a few days to go before the local government elections. Deputy Naughten raised the issue of the closure of hospitals and accident and emergency units. That matter does not arise.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Of the eight contributors to this debate, three were from County Monaghan.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is indicative of the quality of political representation in the area.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputies have national as well as local responsibilities. They will have to debate the issues in the health service which they have not done so far in this debate.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to reply to the charges made by the Deputy. The Bill incorporates a transitional stage in a fundamental reform of health structures — a root and branch reform. This has implications for every hospital and may have very positive implications for Monaghan Hospital.

Written Answers — Health Board Services: Health Board Services (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Responsibility for the matter rests with the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked its CEO to reply directly to the Deputy.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health (Amendment) Bill 2004 represents a further step in the implementation of the Government's health service reform programme, which it announced last June. It is very much interim in nature and is being enacted pending the introduction by the Minister for Health and Children of legislation later in the year to give legislative effect to the other proposals in the reform programme. As...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I did not use the word "client". I did not deliver that speech.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I did not use those words. I used the word "patient". I did not use the word "client".

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That speech was delivered by the Minister for Health and Children.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: And all the panels in this House, no doubt.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators for the great interest——

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——they have shown in this measure. Not for the first time we have had a very vigorous and interesting debate on the health system. Senator Feighan opened for the Opposition by referring to the Hanly report. The Bill has nothing to do with that report, but arises from the Prospectus report, which recommended the changes we are now beginning to implement through this legislation.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Prospectus report recommended very far-reaching changes in our health structures. In a House in great part elected by local representatives it is understandable that concerns have been expressed on all sides at the prospect of eliminating the local councillor as a key feature in securing accountability in the health system. Senator Mansergh highlighted this concern and I reply to him by...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (27 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 has proved to be one of the most effective measures against the sexual exploitation of children in Europe in recent years. It has been widely studied by members of parliaments in other countries as a model law in child protection. In the current climate we have a particular sensitivity to issues surrounding child pornography. For that reason, the...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (27 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is interesting to note that the power conferred on the House by Article 35 of the Constitution is conferred on each House and in that regard this is one of those areas in the Constitution where the Seanad has equal status with the Dáil in that neither House is superior to the other in any respect. The Constitution regulates the position regarding judges of the High Court and Supreme...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will address both points. The section applies to the Houses of the Oireachtas as distinct from committees of the House. The section clearly states: "the possession, distribution, printing, publication or showing by either House of the Oireachtas, a committee (within the meaning of that Act) or any person..."

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes. Clearly, the section applies to the Dáil, Seanad and a committee within the meaning of the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) (Amendment) legislation. On Senator Walsh's point, subsection (b) states "for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance of any function conferred by the Constitution or by law on those...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The legislation is not to deal with any one individual. Clearly the position of one individual has occasioned a very considerable amount of research into how one proceeds in a matter of this type. The legislation is abstract and general in character and applies from its commencement. There is no commencement date for the legislation which will come into force in the ordinary way on signature...