Results 41-60 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am surprised by the position taken by a number of Senators on this measure. The debate on this subsection became a more general discussion on the nature of this measure. Focusing on the amendment moved by Senator O'Meara, Ireland's position is that we welcome those who have properly documented themselves upon arrival. There is nothing unusual in that. In fact, states such as the United...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I oppose this amendment. Section 2(1) applies to persons who arrive in a vehicle from a place outside the State other than the common travel area. The requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the subsection are for the carrier to ensure everyone on his or her vehicle disembarks in compliance with any directions given by an immigration officer and that everyone on the vehicle is presented to...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Senator Tuffy is not on the side of the angels in the case of this amendment in the sense that she would further restrict the defence. Were this amendment to be passed, the Senator would insert the word "believing" rather than "suspecting". She is proposing an amendment to a subsection which provides a defence for a carrier charged with an offence. The subsection would then provide that it...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to bring the section down to practicalities and I invite Senators to proceed to a point of departure known as Rosslare from where one leaves Ireland to travel to France and where one's legal documentation is checked because that is a requirement of French legislation. Irish citizens or any person resident in Ireland who wish to travel to France have to go through precisely the...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In relation to Senator Ryan's understandable concern about persons who die while concealed in containers in attempts to enter the State, this legislation, far from increasing the risk of that occurring, will diminish it. It increases the number of inquiries that must be made by carriers before a person enters the vessel. By extending the obligations of the carrier, a further precaution is...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are not entering into a discussion on whether it is legal or illegal here. My point is that we must provide legislative responses to ensure there are proper travel arrangements. This measure brings us into line with other European countries.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If Senator Ulick Burke communicates the details of the matter, I will of course arrange to have it investigated in the Department. I am not familiar with the facts of the particular case. It is not the policy of the Department to discriminate in relation to private colleges.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If the Senator has evidence of that he should furnish it and I will arrange for it to be examined. There is a difficulty with colleges in that there is no precise legal register or regulation of private colleges in the State. It is not the policy of the Minister to discriminate as between institutions in different parts of the country. The policy is to examine visa applications on their...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - School Funding. (30 Jan 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Primary schools' running costs are met by the Department of Education and Science scheme of capitation grants and the local contribution. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - MRSA Prevalence in Hospitals. (30 Jan 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senator Morrissey for raising this matter on the Adjournment. MRSA is a significant infection which occurs in hospitals and in the community. It is a major issue for health care systems in all countries. There are many contributing factors, including the use of antibiotics and the control of infection in our hospitals. MRSA is part of the broader issue of antimicrobial resistance and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Juvenile Detention Centre. (4 Feb 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While I am aware of the matters outlined by the Senator, I am not aware of the circular by the Tánaiste to which he referred. I assure him that decisions on this matter are not influenced by a decision taken in relation to Shanganagh. There is a requirement under the Children Act 2001 for a juvenile centre for young offenders aged between 16 and 21. On behalf of the Minister for Justice,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Hospital Services. (4 Feb 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senator Morrissey for raising this matter on the Adjournment. One of the objectives under the programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, is to improve mental health services. Advancement in the standards of care for psychiatric patients remains at the heart of developing and improving psychiatric services, as set out in the report, Planning for the Future,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Courthall Child Psychiatric Unit. (13 Feb 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am well aware of the matter the Senator has raised on the Adjournment. Staff have also raised with me the issue of the future of this facility and I have made inquiries within the Department of Health and Children about it. A working group was established by the Department of Health and Children in June 2000 to review child and adolescent psychiatry and to finalise a plan for its future...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Radiotherapy Services. (13 Feb 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Senator has been most vigilant about this matter. I thank him for raising it on the Adjournment and for giving me this opportunity to set out the current position on the provision of radiotherapy services. As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, established the expert review group on radiotherapy services to examine the appropriate...

Seanad: Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (20 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On behalf of the Government, I would like to be associated with the tributes paid by Senators to Tony O'Reilly who has given such long service. I, too, have encountered the friendly face, warm smile and helpful hand to every visitor. While Senator Norris referred to the company of the living, the appropriate proverb should be, "Saol fada chugat, a Tony."

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Conservatory of Music and Drama. (20 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I listened to the Senator's eloquent and moving appeal with great interest. I have also entertained many such representations and I share the Senator's concern that musical knowledge as a dimension of our human existence should be diffused as much as possible through the community, irrespective of class origins or ability in performance. I am making this reply on behalf of the Minister for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Conservatory of Music and Drama. (20 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I take it the Senator wishes the Minister to review the issue of the continuing governance of the conservatory by the Dublin Institute of Technology, to which it was transferred in 1992, and whether that has been satisfactory and continues to be appropriate.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Conservatory of Music and Drama. (20 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will raise that issue with the Minister.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assure the Senator there have been no alterations to my office.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Smoked salmon socialists.