Results 8,421-8,440 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry, Deputy McManus, I am replying to the leader of the Labour Party, who is in order.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am replying to the leader of the Labour Party.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we are not going to have a debate on this, what is the point?

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The development of primary care teams in the north of the city, which took many months——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——to negotiate with GPs is bringing a much improved primary care and out-of-hours services to the area. The situation regarding what is provided in Smithfield is another example of taking some of the pressure off the accident and emergency unit in the Mater Hospital. Those are facts and such improvements are being used by people from the north inner city as we speak. There have been...

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——over weekends, particularly. In fact, there were 400,000 people——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——who did not have that cover in the north side of the city——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——until primary care teams were put in place. It is the intention to increase the number of primary care teams right across the city and country. Improvements are being made.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the judgment that was announced yesterday, it must be examined by the relevant Departments and staff in the Attorney General's office. It has been reported that there may well be an appeal to the Supreme Court. With regard to the civil partnership Bill that the Government is seeking to sponsor, the scheme has been circulated among Departments for their observations and will...

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: To clarify——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The eligibility for health and personal social services Bill and the nursing and midwives Bill will be published next year. It is not possible to say at this stage when the dentistry Bill will be published. The long-term residential care Bill is due this session and it is still with the Attorney General.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I answered that. Next year.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I answered those questions.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy does not care what the answer is.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is awaiting Second Stage. The other Bill is not relevant to the issue the Deputy raises.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of promised legislation but the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, has asked senior officials in his office to convene an urgent meeting with key stakeholders in child protection, including the HSE and the Garda, to ensure full awareness of child protection policies, guidelines and procedures. He has stated that the conclusions of...

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The legislation is due this session. I do not accept housing policy is in tatters. We need to continue to work with local authorities and make the necessary provision to get affordable houses up and running. It is happening in many parts of the country.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have a particular problem in Dublin. Perhaps the Deputy will ask the councillors who comprise the majority on those councils, including those of his own party, to help do something about it.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: None is promised.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: They are not promised but, to be helpful, the Minister of State with responsibility for children in the context of the review that arises as a result of the case will take into account everything to improve the position for the future, which may involve putting the Children First guidelines on a statutory basis. That must be determined. However, doing so could be problematic in terms of...