Results 801-820 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: After what Senator Maurice Hayes has said, everything has been said on this issue and it is time we stopped playing politics with it. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on child care. I am aware it will not be possible to have such a debate before Christmas. It is an important issue which I raised in the context of the budget debate last night. The care and education of pre-school children...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is important to have such a debate, although I am disappointed, not in the time allocated for Second Stage, but that we are up against the Christmas deadline in terms of passing this legislation. It is probably not the Minister of State's fault. The Bill also came late to the Dáil. This legislation has been talked about for approximately 18...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 2: In page 12, before section 7, to insert the following new section: "7.—Subject to the provisions of this Act and the resources available to the Executive, the primary function of the Executive is to take such steps as are open to it to ensure that each person in the State is facilitated in availing of an individual entitlement to such health services and personal...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: A window of opportunity.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Is the Minister of State sure about that?

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I note that the Minister of State's boss, the Tánaiste Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, made exactly the same point in the Dáil last week about eligibility. I disagree fundamentally with the Minister of State that our amendment is about eligibility. It is not. It is about entitlement. The earlier health legislation which is rendered obsolete by this new Bill contains...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister of State is a Dublin Deputy. Dublin hospitals are affected by the Hanly proposals and will be severely impacted by reforms coming down the track at a ferocious speed.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I do not believe they will. We must wait and see. Communities feel strongly about the level of health services available to them. They also quite rightly feel they should have some say and their opinion should be taken into account. This legislation is not about the Hanly report. However, in fairness to Mr. Hanly, he came to a public meeting in Nenagh over a year ago to roll out his proposed...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: When was the Senator a member of the Labour Party?

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator is making it up.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I think that was the case.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: What is the Senator talking about?

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is all myth and legend.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I know we have spent a lot of time on these amendments. I thank the Minister for his Second Stage approach. His setting out of where the Government is coming from on this issue has been very useful. It is not news to hear him setting that out. However, he has been clear and open and I commend him on that approach. We would take a different approach. We live in a democracy and we are entitled...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 3: In page 12, subsection (4) (b), line 37, after "training" to insert "(which education and training shall, in the case of medical professionals, be provided by postgraduate professional training bodies)". The part of the Bill dealing with the objects and functions of the executive with regard to the training and education of students, nurses and other health...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: We have had an extensive discussion on this matter and I hope the Minister of State has answered other Members' questions. On that basis, I will withdraw the amendment while reserving the right to resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator Browne in his amendment and in the sentiments he has expressed. I do not accept there has been widespread consultation in the formulation of this Bill. It only became obvious to a number of groups quite late in the day the extent to which they will now find themselves in an entirely different scenario to that they have previously experienced. Despite all that has been said...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: All the Minister of State's references to the legislation point to services provided by the voluntary and community sector. It is clear that the framework set out in the Bill for the relationship between the executive and that sector is purely in the context of services delivered. I have listened carefully to the Minister of State's response and every point has included reference to services...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator O'Toole. In my opinion the functions of the health service executive are set out in such vague terms in the section in order to give the board, the CEO and the Minister carte blanche. In other words, anything, everything and nothing can be done. As regards our discussion on an earlier amendment, the definitions section does not define what is meant by a "service". A...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: This is like when someone asks questions of the National Roads Authority and never gets a reply because the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government always says it is a matter for the NRA and that he does not have a function in the matter. We should also look at the accountability of the executive to the Oireachtas through the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. It...