Results 701-720 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 May 2006)
John Minihan: The less said about thatââ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 May 2006)
John Minihan: I suppose the excuse one can offer is that there is an election in the air.
- Seanad: Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food: Motion. (4 May 2006)
John Minihan: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, it be an instruction to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food that at its meeting for the purpose of a debate on European agriculture policy, to be convened in the Dáil Chamber on Wednesday, 10 May 2006, at 12.10 p.m. until 1.40 p.m., that the following arrangements shall apply: (i) that EU Commissioner for Agriculture and...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006: Referral to Joint Committee. (4 May 2006)
John Minihan: I move: That the proposal Seanad Ãireann approve draft regulations entitled: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006, copies of which were laid before Seanad Ãireann on 28 April 2006 be referred to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Services, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the Orders of Reference of that committee, which, not later than...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this important debate. I also welcome the Minister of State and echo the regret that a Seanad scheduling conflict did not allow the Tánaiste's attendance. There is a great deal that must be said about the challenges facing us in the accident and emergency situation, but a politically hostile environment is not the most appropriate context in which to...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: It was simultaneously sad and amusing to hear Fine Gael's spokesperson on health commit his party to delivering four 150-bed units with step-down beds. That constitutes a pessimistic and limited total of just 600 beds, whereas the Tánaiste has already stated explicitly that the HSE should use as many public and private nursing home beds as required to release beds for patients awaiting...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: I listened to Senator Browne's description of his "Out of Africa" experience and to his remarks regarding, not heart bypasses, but the Kinnegad bypass. I listened to him discuss the sale of Eircom as well as freedom of information.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: I listened to him discuss the replies to his queries and the only contribution he made was that one would need a magic wand to sort out the accident and emergency services. He continued by welcoming Fine Gael's policy announcements at the recent Ard-Fheis. I did not interrupt him and I now propose to deal with the points he made. To return to the subject of drunks, Fine Gael proposes to fine...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: The problem is that Members do not know what Fine Gael proposes.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: The Acting Chairman might imagine my disappointment when I heard this showcase piece from the Fine Gael Ard-Fheisââ
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: ââ and remembered how I had described it as being superficial and nonsensical when originally put forward by Deputy Kenny in February. Fine Gael's proposal has not changed since February and it is as superficial and nonsensical now as it was then.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: Who will decide if the patient is drunk enough to be fined? Will all accident and emergency patients be breathalysed? If not, what will be the test of "drunkenness"? Members are aware of the tests which gardaà must administer when assessing whether a person is drunk. Will doctors be obliged to form an opinion that the patient is sufficiently drunk to be fined? Who will fine the patient? Who...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: In contrast, the new GP-visit card, as well as the additional medical cards which are now available, help those who need assistance to visit their GP and receive medical care without any cut-off point for children based on age. The Government has not decided that children will not become sick after the age of five.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: It is also regrettable that Fine Gael seems unaware that health screening programmes to catch diseases early must be carried out scientifically. A simple regular health check, as proposed by Fine Gael, does not catch diseases. While the Fine Gael leader claims he will save money, millions of euro could be wasted on useless checks instead of being spent on treatment. The Government has...
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: This Fine Gael proposal is, yet again, too vague and unconsidered and has been neither costed nor scientifically based.
- Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)
John Minihan: As an aside, I noted, with a smile, that the leader of Fine Gael has given himself more time to address accident and emergency issues than he has given the Tánaiste. He has given himself 30 months. While Fine Gael has produced buckets of negativity, no health policies whatsoever have been produced by the Labour Party since the general election, apart from scraps from the last election, such...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)
John Minihan: I refer to the statements by previous speakers about the latest approach by the GRA with regard to the introduction of a Garda reserve force. While I endorse the comments by Senators Brian Hayes, Ryan and Dardis, I take exception to the remarks of Senator Coonan. We must be very clear that the Garda SÃochána and the Defence Forces are the two arms of State that underpin our democracy. With...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)
John Minihan: Senator Coonan was given plenty of leeway. As the only Member of this House to wear the uniform of the State I have something to say on the matter and I will say it.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)
John Minihan: The Leas-Chathaoirleach allowed Senator Coonan to make his point.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)
John Minihan: It is not acceptable for a Member of this House to speak in such a tone about the institutions of the State and the important responsibilities their members have. The tone of the debate this morning, on all sides of the House, has been measured and that is the approach that should be adopted in resolving this issue.