Results 461-480 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: On a point of order, we have heard two inaccuracies in this House today from Senator Browne that cast aspersions on people's honesty and integrity. I do not think this can go unchallenged.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: This is pathetic. The Senator should do his research.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: The file was not on the Minister's desk; it was in the outer office.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: She did not have to listen to the Senator.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: She did not have to listen to the Senator's inaccuracies.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: Hear hear.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister to the House and compliment Mr. Travers on his report. It is an example to us all of the way a complex issue can be dealt with in a short timeframe and a report of this nature produced. The State owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Travers for the report he has produced. The principle involved here is that all those in receipt of publicly provided residential long-term care...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: When this matter was brought to her attention, the Tánaiste quickly sought legal advice as a result of questions from Senator Browne's party in the Dáil. She rang the Attorney General and since then the process has moved forward at an accelerated pace if one measures it against the preceding 30 years. She stopped the practice immediately when she was told it did not have legal support. She...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: I accept that Senator Browne is in the Chair but I am merely pointing out that I interjected earlier because he referred to the Minister's desk. In itself, this implies that the file was there for the Minister's perusal.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: There is no evidence in the report to indicate that the file was there for this purpose. When the Tánaiste publishes the relevant correspondence later today, I hope clarity will be brought to that matter — particularly if there is a covering note or memo to the Minister which suggests that the file was passed to him for his attention. If we are going to debate this issue, we must read the...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: Suggestions that the Tánaiste in some way influenced the report are politically motivated and unfair and they cast aspersions on the reputation of Mr. Travers. If we are going to play politics with this issue, we must be honest and accurate in our interpretations of the report. One can quote from various different sections of the report. In reality, however, all the issues raised,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

John Minihan: In Holy Week too.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the important matter of special educational facilities. It is the duty of all Members of the Oireachtas to be cognisant of the most pressing issues for citizens at any given time. It is fair to say that health care, infrastructure, the economy, child care and education would make the top five of most people's lists of areas that need our constant...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: Parents and schools have voiced their frustration with the system and, as we must, we are acting to ease their burden. A total of 70 special needs organisers have been recruited nationally and will act as dedicated points of contacts for parents and schools. It is more evidence of the meaningful policy approaches adopted by the Government to meet educational requirements. While the...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: I have spoken for seven minutes without reacting to an interruption.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: As is typical of Fine Gael in Opposition, when its representatives have nothing constructive to offer, they interrupt and avoid facing reality.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: I have clearly set out what the Government has achieved.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: We have made real progress in the area of special needs education in a strategic, well-planned manner which ensures improved educational provision for all children.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: It would be more appropriate for certain people to reflect on what they did and, more important, failed to do while in office.

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (21 Apr 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to the House, and welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. There is no doubt that the health service, particularly accident and emergency departments, are to the fore of much recent political activity. Our health service needs to be focused and directed at patients, who must be at the centre of all actions and decisions...