Results 11,581-11,600 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: Would it not be up to Parliament?

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: We may need to revisit this matter on Report Stage. I have not tabled an amendment but I would like to get some clarity. While our concerns do not apply to the current Minister, a future Minister may not be as supportive of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board as the current Minister. Similarly, a future Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may not be supportive of PIAB. From my...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I wish to speak briefly on the amendment itself. I have not made many contributions on Report Stage but believe it is important that we try to speak to the amendments and keep our focus on what we are doing here, namely legislating for the will of the people, as expressed in May. The issue of abortion regret was discussed at the committee hearings and evidence was presented. The majority...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: I am definite that there are women who regret having had a termination. Equally, I know many women who regret having to go to Birmingham or Liverpool to have a termination or who, because they faced a crisis pregnancy, had to take tablets without medical supervision. The point is that this amendment is trying to force-----

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: -----women and their clinicians into circumstances in which further shame and guilt are heaped on them. That is my reading of it based on my examination of how this would play out in surgeries across the country. It should be borne in mind that the amendment reads "Except in a case of an immediate risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman". The amendment...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: This issue has been discussed in great detail. Many people would have considered its discussion in advance of the referendum disingenuous. Until the Irish people adjudicated on the eighth amendment it would have been very difficult for and presumptuous of this House to discuss it. Of course, the decision having been made, it is now up to Members to put forward their views on the...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The reason conscientious objection is very important and must not be abused is that women may find themselves in very vulnerable positions and unable to access the healthcare they need. If a doctor fails to refer a woman on, it could leave her in a very vulnerable position. Not every woman has an ordered life. The lives of some are very chaotic, with some women enduring abuse and violence....

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: Doctors with a conscientious objection should be obliged to refer women to another doctor. To legislate for conscientious objection in the manner proposed in the amendment such that a medical practitioner could decline to assist a woman who presents is against the basic principles of good medical ethics in the view of the professionals who made the case for this legislation at the eighth...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (5 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 104. To ask the Minister for Health the actions the HSE will take to enable the Mercy University Hospital regain accreditation for carrying out colonoscopies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50707/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to cater for the shortage of skilled labour in the agricultural sector and the competitiveness issues arising if unaddressed. [51188/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: What are the steps being taken to deal with the skills shortage in the agricultural sector? What competitiveness issues might arise from these shortages, not just in the context of farms but in the context of the entire process, including final sale?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: We have to monitor the situation continually. Some time ago the chief executive of Dairygold, Mr. Wolfe, said that labour shortages were a constraint on expansion for 25% of the company's clients and suppliers. It is a gripping issue that has to be addressed. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has five people looking at skills issues across the whole economy. I do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The pay rates in the agricultural and processing sectors are on the lower end of the scale and any change in that brings about problems with competitiveness straightaway. Equally, it causes problems in recruitment. When people are paid €9 or €10 an hour but companies and factories can pay more, people drift out of the agricultural sector. In the short and medium term that can...

Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: The Deputy is very optimistic.

European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: We will be supporting the Bill and will do everything to ensure it passes smoothly through the parliamentary process. We welcome the fact that we are putting in place funds for small and medium-sized businesses in both the business and agriculture sectors to allow them to access loans to fund working capital projects. We all know that there is grave uncertainty, primarily as a result of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the labour and skills shortages in the agricultural sector; and the way in which this deficit will be met in order to reach Foods Wise 2025 targets. [51187/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if special educational needs will be included as a core part of initial teacher training in all colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52352/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an audit of accommodation and a programme of upgrading and refurbishment will be carried out over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52353/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Garda Vetting of Personnel (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Garda vetting for special needs assistants and bus escorts will be centralised and streamlined in order that they can move more easily between schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52354/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Educational Psychological Service Administration (12 Dec 2018)

Billy Kelleher: 100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if access for all pupils with SEN to the National Educational Psychological Service will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/18]