Results 13,681-13,700 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We get off to a positive start on the grouping, at least. The words used in the amendment are "not greater than" which means the Minister is not locked into making eight appointments. He is not locked in to a maximum of six appointments either but has flexibility in other areas of importance which must be reflected in the make-up of the envisaged directorate. That is good to go and I will...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It looks as though we do not have a deal. There is no point in dragging this out unnecessarily. I have not heard an explanation of why the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, suggested earlier that the situation was other than what subsection 3 seeks to lock us into, namely, restriction to those in the service and those at particular grade levels. What she put on record in regard to...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 4:In page 6, to delete lines 31 to 36.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 5:In page 6, line 41, after “determine” to insert the following: “but the total annual remuneration for each director shall be no more than €100,000”.I have consistently argued, as I do in amendments Nos. 5 and 12, for a cap to apply at the highest pay levels of the public service. That is hugely important in these economically...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Minister used the phrase "commensurate with the responsibilities" of the job. As a Deputy, I know the extent of the reductions we have taken over recent years, in terms of both salary and expenses. I am still willing, even though I know it stretches me with a young family and college responsibilities, to give that leadership and to face further reductions. It is not about what we do...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We are in times of great economic strain and in those circumstances, an argument still stands for further reductions in pay at the highest levels, rather than continuing with the burdening of those who are very clearly already beyond affording the hits they are taking. I rest the case. I have made it and the Minister has responded as I expected. I am pressing the amendment.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I ask for a little elaboration on this. The amendment states that a person shall be considered as holding the grade of national director or other grade which is not less than that, where that person stands appointed to a post to such grade on a temporary or acting basis. Where is that appointee coming from? This is relevant in terms of some of the questions I posed earlier. This...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In my earlier comments I had the same gentleman in my mind, among others. I recognise that. The Minister will recall I talked about appointments from outside the jurisdiction in regard to other areas. Where does this fit in regard to subsection (3)? I sought its deletion. What is the net effect of the amendment? It is open to interpretation and I am asking for certainty. I understand...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I do not want to be so bold as to suggest that it almost confirms the points Deputy Kelleher and I argued heretofore. At this point in time we have had limited sight of the amendment. To my knowledge it was only published today and I have not had any opportunity to evaluate the language involved. That is becoming quite a task in itself in regard to legislation in these times. In a spirit...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I join Deputy Kelleher in his comments. We addressed this issue in regard to pharmacists. There was acceptance across the board that in the circumstances it was an inappropriate penalty to apply to those practising as opposed to owning a business. I ask the Minister to give us a further indication of the intention of these amendments in regard to the holding of positions by those who are...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 12:In page 9, line 24, after "determine" to insert the following:"but the total annual remuneration of the Director General shall be no more than €100,000".

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I welcome the Minister's commentary following on from Committee Stage. I note that in the addendum amendments to amendment No. 19 he has twice changed the word "delegation" in sub-section (4) to "designation". I think those are the only changes in the subsequent amendment. The Minister has taken on board the arguments. What can and cannot be done will present in time and I accept that...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 21:In page 19, line 45, after "Executive" to insert the following:"and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children".

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I have no problem with speaking first but Deputy Kelleher has precedence because of his party's numerical strength. It is only a temporary matter but we will let it be.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I would not expect many to lament the passing of the HSE board which is long overdue. I do not oppose this development, but section 12 gives the Minister of the day significant and increased powers to amend HSE service plans. In principle, that is not objectionable. However, I am deeply concerned that while the Bill makes the directorate of the HSE more accountable to the Minister, there...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: They certainly did not vote for the policies the Minister is now pursuing.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (12 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 13. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vacant local authority homes here on average at any one time; the current average turn around time for vacant local authority homes including the fastest and slowest figure; and the strategies that are being considered for improving these figures. [27059/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (13 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 22. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider removing the property test for cohabitants applying for a barring order, at the very least in cases when it conflicts with the best interest of the children of the family. [28238/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (13 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 44. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans include a provision in the Domestic Violence Act to allow for Garda to apply for emergency orders to an on-call judge, where, if requested, a Garda attending a domestic violence incident can authorise the calling of an on-call judge to apply for an emergency barring order. [28237/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (13 Jun 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 217. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children being treated for depression, anxiety and stress; the direction that is taken for treatment when those diagnosis are made; if he will provide the same information for patients between 18 and 25 years old; if he will outline the guidelines pertaining to the management of these patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter....