Results 1,181-1,200 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Colm Burke: Yes, it would be appropriate for a debate on this.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Visa Applications (29 May 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House to deal with this matter. I wish to raise the issuing of visas to persons who wish to enter the country and in particular, the issuing of three-month visas. The specific case I raise concerns a married couple who are both registrars in hospitals in Cork. They have senior positions as registrars and are crucial to the provision of health care services in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Visa Applications (29 May 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive reply. As I said earlier, this person is not looking for residency status and has no intention of staying here long term. His grandchildren are in their early years and need his support. The possibility of extending the visa beyond 90 days has not been suggested to the family. In fact, the application for a visa of any description was turned...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I support Senator Naughton's call for a debate with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, on the Tuam issue. It is important to acknowledge where we have come from and how attitudes have changed in more recent times in terms of what is and is not acceptable. Of course, the practices we are discussing were happening not so long ago. It is less than 30 years,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I, too, join in welcoming the publication of the Cooke report which was completed expeditiously. The terms of reference given to Mr. Justice John Cooke clearly set out his role. I do not recollect any criticism of the terms of reference being put forward at the time. The report is about establishing and clearing the air on issues that were brought into the public domain. He has brought...

Seanad: Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister. I support his comments on the amendments. As a legal practitioner, if a doctor asked me whether he should issue such certificates, my immediate response would be that he or she should not because it would leave them wide open to being joined in proceedings at a later stage if something went wrong. Doctors would be very reluctant to give such a certificate to anyone...

Seanad: Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I fully accept that but Irish people travel. I also fully agree with what my colleagues have said about education. There is a need to ensure adequate information is available to everyone, in particular young people, on the dangers of using sunbeds. The legislation provides for the Minister to introduce regulations. Part of the regulations must ensure people who use or buy sunbeds receive...

Seanad: Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I would like to make one point.

Seanad: Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: This Bill brings forward regulation and puts an obligation, which did not exist previously, on the people who offer these services. Part of it is that these people be made aware that the use of sunbeds is risky for certain types of people. Under this legislation they would have a legal obligation to ensure they give adequate warnings, otherwise they would leave themselves exposed to future...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister and her predecessor, Deputy Alan Shatter, for the work they have done on this legislation. I also thank all the officials in the Department who were involved in drafting the Bill for the manner in which they have dealt with it. This comprehensive legislation illustrates the progress that is being made in the use of science and DNA evidence. The Bill, when acted, will...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: Calm is needed on this matter. We are engaging in a blame game. I am not part of this.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: My attitude is that the banking inquiry must find out how decisions were made and ensure that similar decisions are never made again. The inquiry is about ensuring taxpayers-----

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt previous speakers and I ask that they do not interrupt me.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: We must ensure that, as a result of the banking inquiry, taxpayers will never again have to pick up the tab for bad decisions taken by people in the financial world.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: My question relates to the report on the reorganisation of maternity services in the north west, which was leaked bit by bit. I concur with colleagues who stated it was outrageous that the report was commissioned. I will explain the reason.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: Yes. I am from a legal background. Those who wrote a report setting out a reorganisation of maternity services, an area with a high level of litigation, did not have a clue about what they were talking about. It is outrageous that the report has caused so much alarm.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: Yes. It is also outrageous that a public institution would commission a report without considering the consequences of doing so. It is important that the House receives a full report on the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (12 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I apologise to the Minister of State for leaving earlier but I had to attend a vote in the Seanad. Like Deputy Crowe, I would like to comment on the drugs cost issue. The cost of drugs in this country has been allowed to increase from €560 million in 2000 to €2 billion by 2010, which is an almost 300% increase in a short time. The legislation in relation to generic drugs has...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the decision to reverse the decision on the removal of discretionary medical cards. It is important to understand that since January 2011 the number of people with medical cards has increased from 1.733 million to over 1.95 million. In fact, once the discretionary cards are restored we will probably exceed 2 million medical cards, which means that more than 43% of the population...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2014)

Colm Burke: Then the Senator came into this debate and started alleging-----