Results 1,281-1,300 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister and fully support him in Ireland's decision to abstain in the recent vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. Similar to other EU countries, Ireland abstained in the vote. Our position was and still remains that during the recent hostilities there have been clear breaches of international law on both sides. The resolution before the Council...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

Colm Burke: -----an immediate arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and armed Palestinian groups; Israel to halt the obstruction of relief for the civilian population of Gaza and allow sufficient medical and fuel supplies into Gaza-----

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

Colm Burke: -----and humanitarian workers to be allowed safe passage into Gaza. Amnesty International has set out clear points that should be implemented immediately. The international community had the opportunity to do that, and now is the time to implement it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the ambassador for giving us his time today to deal with these issues. It is a very complex area. I have visited Gaza; I was there in 2009, four weeks after the hostilities in that year. There was a huge amount of damage done at that time with many people killed. I thought that after that event progress would have been made to try to come to a long-term solution, but that does not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: What about the use of cluster munitions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: The use of cluster munitions means everyone in sight gets hit. Cluster munitions were used.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I am speaking about-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I know but they were used.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I join Senator Sean D. Barrett in congratulating the three students from Kinsale, Ciara Judge, Émer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, on their huge achievement in winning the EU Young Scientist competition and the Google Science Fair award. It is a major achievement not only by the students but by the school, teachers and parents who gave the necessary support. It is a credit to the school...

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: All those appointed to a board are suitably qualified if they are self-employed and running their own business. It they are able to manage their business, they are well able to serve on a board of directors, regardless of what that board is for.

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: The issue I wish to raise relates to the health sector. I agree with the remarks made by Senator Mullins. The general doctors issue is getting quite serious and by this time next year we will face a major problem. For the last 15 to 20 years we have been relying on doctors from non-EU countries to come here and apply for the jobs in this country, but the number of doctors from non-EU...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House, and join with my colleague in wishing him well in his new portfolio of health. It is a difficult challenge and there are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with. I have no doubt whatsoever that he is up to the challenge and will continue to improve and reform the current health service. I welcome the publication of this Bill. It follows on from the...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I reiterate what I say yesterday, namely that anyone who runs his or her own business is competent to be appointed to any State board because such people are involved in hiring staff-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt you.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: Running a business and being self-employed qualifies anyone to be involved in a board. He is an appropriate appointment to the board. In this House we seem to have forgotten that the Taoiseach appointed more Independent Senators who were not involved in any political party to this House than any previous Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt anyone here.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: In fairness to the Taoiseach, he has appointed people who are independent of politics and have made a fantastic contribution to this House. Let us give credit where credit is due. Mr. McNulty would have qualified for the Cultural and Educational Panel with or without the appointment to the board, and that is now quite clear. This is a technical issue. I recently heard of someone who...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Norris that there is a need for reform in how we elect Senators. I am one of those who agree with him because the current panel structure comprises technical procedures and nothing more.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2014)

Colm Burke: My points are in response to what has been said. There are a lot of allegations flying around. Individual panels are of a technical nature and some have questioned whether someone is fit to sit in the House. Anyone who is over 18 years of age is fit and qualified to sit in the House no matter what his or her background is, and Mr. McNulty is suitably qualified to be in the House. I look...