Results 121-140 of 7,211 for speaker:Peter Burke

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: On sections 38 and 39 agencies, can the director general confirm that all agencies being funded by the HSE have an up-to-date tax clearance certificate, that he has evidence that the registration of such organisations that are registered as charities are in tack with Revenue and that Companies Registration Office documentation is reviewed in terms of auditor registrations, etc? Are there...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: I find that incredible. The HSE should take up the matter with the Revenue Commissioners because we have seen in terms of the payments and details, which I will not go into, that Revenue rules were not applied. It is absolutely incredible that that is the position considering all the revelations we have had to date.

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: I have questions concerning a letter issued by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, which is among the items in the pack circulated to members. The letter was sent on 12 November 2014 to all sections 38 and 39 agencies. It advises them that there has been no current service agreement in place since December 2013. This means it was sent 11 months after the service level agreements...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: It is very clear from this letter that the HSE was aware that these organisations were operating without strong governance. This is clearly pointed out in the second paragraph of the letter. Is it acceptable to issue a letter 11 months after the detailed service level agreement had finished? The letter clearly states that on 31 December 2013 all service level agreements would cease. We...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: Even though it is quite clear that the agreement had expired and an expiry date was stated.

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: In terms of the contract change note that was issued to Console advising it of increased funding of €147,000 from the National Office of Suicide Prevention, it is a one-page letter without any detail. I know agreements were in place. What protocols did HSE put in place on foot of a request for more funding? Value for money is one of the key things that is listed on the...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: Would that be indicative in different agencies to follow that?

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: My big concern is that we seem to be reacting very slowly to issues of the past. It is clear that the stable door has been bolted but the horse is gone to a certain extent when one sees the annual compliance statements. Will the witnesses confirm that section 39 agencies now have those compliance statements? Is that practice in place to self-certify to the HSE as a body?

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: At the moment, €750 million is being spent without organisations self-certifying or having a clear governance procedure that puts the onus back on them.

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: In terms of the management of these service agreements, it is stated that bodies in receipt of less than €500,000 have only one meeting with the HSE in terms of performance review. Is that acceptable?

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: The buck stops with Mr. O'Brien as director general of the HSE. He must ensure that we have good governance. It is clearly evident from anyone's analysis here that it does not look to be the case. Efforts are being made, but they are being made at a very slow pace and internal audits are taking a long time. The HSE has taken a long time even to try to get the process of an annual...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: After years of funding agencies where there was a complete absence of clinical oversight that was so badly needed, and we still have not got it for section 39s.

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: Yes, detailed oversight-----

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: -----in terms of money that has been spent. There should be more urgency attached to Mr. O'Brien's briefing when he says that the HSE is trying to get oversight in place for section 39s. One meeting a year is all that is required in a performance review for a body in receipt of €500,000. That is totally unacceptable.

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: I thank the director general for his time. I hope he will communicate those concerns to the Revenue Commissioners because that is an outstanding revelation to make in terms of the website, their registration being intact and having a tax clearance certificate. It is amazing and incredible for the premier body that looks after our affairs. In terms of auditors who are registered with the...

Public Accounts Committee: HSE Financial Statement 2015 (15 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: That needs to be looked at in the future.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (19 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: 440. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [22350/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments Closures (19 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: 559. To ask the Minister for Health to confirm that there will be no service cut or closure at Mullingar Midlands Hospital accident and emergency department after reports in the media claiming otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21934/16]

Topical Issue Debate: Fish Farming (20 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important topical issue. On 26 April 2016, a press release appeared on the Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, website announcing that it intended to cease its operation in fish farms. This was issued at a time of significant political uncertainty and paralysis and in the backdrop of a caretaker Government. At that time, I consulted the then...

Topical Issue Debate: Fish Farming (20 Jul 2016)

Peter Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his reply but we must go further on this. The Twenty-six Counties of Ireland benefit from the stocks in these farms, so it is a vital resource in Ireland. If we appoint an independent company to commission a report into the sector but do not heed its advice, what is the point in having that process? The company was clear that there is no alternative in the...