Results 1,341-1,360 of 3,623 for speaker:Ulick Burke

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Ulick Burke: On behalf of Fine Gael I support the motion proposed by Senators Coonan and Browne. The disarray that is discernible on the Government side of the House is unbelievable. Senator Callanan warned against delay which might jeopardise the future of the industry and, in effect, said to get on with it and do it fast, that Carlow was over. Senator Moylan said it was being done too hastily and we...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Ulick Burke: I remind Senator Moylan that at the time of these closures, his party politicised the situation to the ultimate degree. It actually recruited the Archbishop of Tuam and dragged him to Government Buildings when he was quite unable to come in order to emphasise how much of a crime the closure was for the west of Ireland. So it was because the jobs that were, and are, in the sugar factories...

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry: Motion (Resumed). (26 Jan 2005)

Ulick Burke: I fully empathise with the difficult task the Minister has in fighting for the retention of the quotas and the industry in Ireland. I fully support her and encourage her to do everything possible on this particular issue. However, today it is Carlow and, like Senator Phelan, I believe Mallow is next. That will be the end of the sugar industry in Ireland which was put together by people who...

Seanad: Health Board Services. (26 Jan 2005)

Ulick Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. Will the Minister for Health and Children provide funding for the Health Service Executive western area for the provision of a health and day care centre on the site of the old County Galway Vocational Education Committee building at Gort, County Galway? Will she indicate whether funding was sought for this project by the former health board? The health centre...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: In the past three weeks an old age pensioner suffering from Parkinson's disease was admitted to a hospital in the west. During his stay there he was infected with MRSA. It took some time for the hospital authorities to admit that the patient had been so infected. On his discharge, the patient, who holds a medical card, was told that the best items to cure the infection were not available to...

Seanad: Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: I thank Senator Phelan for sharing his time. I endorse all that has been said regarding the officials in the Department, the Minister and the Minister of State and the work that has been done at a time of crisis. It is important also to recognise the contribution of many Irish people who were in the vicinity of the tsunami, who travelled from surrounding areas and volunteered to help the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: The survey published yesterday by the Irish Primary Principals Network has frightening implications for primary education. Some 75% of the 850 principals and deputy principals surveyed indicated a sense of hopelessness. Many also admitted to suffering from stress and exhaustion. It is a serious issue for education at that level when so many principals admit to a feeling of hopelessness....

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: It is ironic that Senator Leyden is the Acting Chairman for part of this debate considering that over the years he acted as a junior Minister in the responsible Department. I do not intend to criticise the Senator personally but I have not seen his stamp, to pardon the pun, on that Department.

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: I could not allow the opportunity to pass.

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: I am sure the Acting Chairman will find an opportunity later.

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: The majority of people throughout the country have great confidence in An Post's delivery service and in the people who work at the counters. They look to them to provide a service within the limitations which are strangling them. Senator Mansergh declared his interest in that he acts in an advisory capacity to the committee dealing with commemorative stamps. Will he comment on the practice...

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: It is a welcome gesture for which I am grateful but it should be reconsidered in the current climate. Senator Kitt will be familiar with the closure of two rural post offices in my area, similar to those referred to by Senator Mansergh. With the retirement of the postmistress in Abbey post office and despite strong representations to An Post by the community to retain the post office, An Post...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: That is a long way off.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: I am compelled to challenge the validity of a number of statements made by the Minister of State and a number of his actions in the area of public expenditure. He stated he has generated resources to enable the Government to continue to target the needy. However, the Government has reduced the funding available to the Community Workers Co-operative, which has been dropped from the...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: The Minister of State must be hurting, that is the reality.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: I will stick to the facts. The money was provided, but never spent apart from approximately €250,000 of the allocation of €2.5 million. That was taken back. Deputy Parlon said it was not returned to the Department of Finance, but of course it was and reallocated elsewhere under other schemes. Perhaps the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has had a hand in spending some...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: The Minister of State misrepresented the facts on Galway Bay FM when challenged by the local member of the liaison committee. He walked away and left more questions unanswered by his statements than before, which says something.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Ulick Burke: We have heard there has been significant spending on education. However, with regard to the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, we were supposed to have a full service as a result of the legislation dealing with education for those with special needs, but we have had no improvement in the service. We are back to a situation where parents must get their children privately...