Results 961-980 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2012)

Marc MacSharry: We will not oppose the Order of Business. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, to come to the House next week to outline the position in regard to the flooding in Cork, which is badly affected, and throughout the country, and ensure that funding under the minor works scheme is made available without delay to the areas in need. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I join with others in congratulating those involved in putting together today's address. It was an historic day for the House and a sign of what can be done in the future. I would agree with Senator Leyden's suggestion that leaders of some of the other organisations, particularly from a religious perspective, be invited here in the interests of balance and following on from the lead shown...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears, Banking and the Economy: Statements, Questions and Answers (3 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: Will we be permitted to speak generally, or will we have to ask questions?

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears, Banking and the Economy: Statements, Questions and Answers (3 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: This might be a long-winded question given that I am not as familiar with this process as other Senators and have not participated in questioning Ministers on this issue. I welcome the Minister to the House. There is nobody from any party who does not have enormous respect for him. Everybody wholeheartedly supports him in what he is trying to do. It is how he does it that divides us...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 11, first stage of the Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012, be taken before No. 1. The time between now and the end of the session is limited and the House will be sitting on Fridays. Could the Minister for Health be brought to the House? As Senator Darragh O'Brien has said, some of the commentary at the recent meeting of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: On the same subject, I welcome a debate on the issue. Of the 45,000 people who attended the concert, many had a good time. I had family members at the event. However, there is an alcohol issue in the country. One of the first steps we could usefully take is to provide an opportunity to invite young people's organisations to the Chamber. We have afforded organisations which wish to...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Power. This important issue requires to be discussed. I remind Members, as I am sure they already will be aware as the Leader has said it, that I will propose later today the Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012, which is non-adversarial legislation. I would hope that, between now and this evening, everyone will take a moment...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I am glad to take the opportunity to explain a little in advance of the debate. I hope all the Members will take the time to attend the debate. I very much hope we can celebrate it as a pioneering legislation put forward by a united Seanad rather than use it for political adversarial purposes, as is so often the case.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank her for yet again making herself available. She has given great commitment to this House over the last two years. I am proposing this Bill and it is co-sponsored by my friend and colleague, Senator John Crown, who is not short of expertise in this particular department. I proposed...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: This is pioneering legislation. We do not have to look to other jurisdictions.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I thank Members for participating in this debate. I am shocked, however, having listened to the Minister of State. I will not cast aspersions on any individual, but her script was a disgrace. As I did not interrupt anyone during the entire debate, I expect to have the full four minutes available to me to respond. If the director of the national cancer control programme, whose name I will...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: As the Minister of State cannot raise a point of order, perhaps I might be allowed to continue. Nowhere in the Bill is it stated we should make all drugs available to everyone, whatever the cost. Far from it, it would provide for a process where the patient comes first, not last.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: This is the first time in ten years that an official has been allowed to prepare a note to be given in reply to a Member of the House. I object to this; it is wrong. Senator Mark Daly mentioned that the director of the national cancer control programme had allegedly proof-read the script. This was mentioned by the other side of the House. It was also said the EMA did not consider and...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: To withdraw what.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: For what reason?

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I withdraw the word "clown" and restate my remarks. The person who wrote this script would be better at juggling in a circus ring than writing scripts for Ministers.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I am sorry if Members find it offensive.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I regret that it is disrespectful because the content of the script shows an inability to read legislation and, as someone said, complete contempt for what we are attempting to do - introduce a non-adversarial Bill. It is non-political in nature and puts the patient first. What we have seen is an exercise in making sure the patient will not come first. This is a sad day for patient...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I join with others in seeking a debate on suicide. Last year the number of people who died by suicide was 525, which is effectively the population of a sizeable village. As I said, if this was happening in Syria or another country, we would be sending in UN troops. The piecemeal approach to suicide in the past number of years is inexcusable. The number of suicides increased last year but...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Marc MacSharry: I am not, this is a new issue.