Results 14,501-14,520 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The details of the case described by the Deputy are very distressing. Greater discretion is being exercised by the HSE and the number of discretionary medical cards in circulation has increased from approximately 52,000 in the middle of 2014 to over 106,000 at the end of May 2016. The programme for Government commits to maintaining that humane approach to discretionary medical cards. The...
- Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Government's intention is to provide the best possible health service. There have been very significant increases for the health services over the years and €500 million was given to the health services just two weeks ago so that we can deal with the situations outlined by the Deputy and prevent the consequences to which he referred. A good health service works at a preventative...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already confirmed that he is dealing with the Low Pay Commission at present and intends to come before the House in the near future in respect of the matter. On the criminal legal aid board matter, that will be dealt with later in the year. Work has begun on the policy issues. It is a commitment in the programme for Government but work has...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Yesterday the Cabinet discussed the citizens' assembly and the Taoiseach has made it clear that there will be an opportunity to discuss the terms of reference and the approach to be taken. There will be a debate in the Dáil on that. It is expected that the assembly will be up and running by November or, if possible, earlier than that, by which time the various initiatives required to...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, will contact Deputy Murphy with details regarding the policy issues raised by the Deputy.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 is a very important Act and its implementation is a priority. Discussions have been held with the Department of Health, which is responsible for the body that will deal with many of the issues that arise under that legislation. The Department has agreed to implement that aspect of the legislation, which is the key part...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that is an extremely important public health Bill, which I hope will have the full support of everybody in this House. It is on Committee Stage in the Seanad. When it completes that process, it will come to the Dáil.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister for Health to communicate directly with the Deputy on that issue.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that the new Bill will be largely modelled on the previous Bill and it is not intended that there will be further pre-legislative scrutiny. Its detail will be discussed by the committee.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: If the heads of the Bill are published in July, it can go for pre-legislative scrutiny shortly after that. That would be the next step.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: If the heads are published in July and if the pre-legislative scrutiny is completed, then drafting of the Bill can commence. Depending on the progress of the pre-legislative scrutiny and the issues that arise, the drafting will be done. I do not know whether it would be possible for it to be dealt with in the next session but it is important that the work starts. The heads will be...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that the review is currently being undertaken.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: On the Deputy's first question, the heads of the Bill were cleared by the Cabinet on Tuesday. Very detailed work is being done on the criminal justice (victims of crime) Bill. I am hopeful it can be published before the end of this term.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to reply to that under our new procedures.
- Priority Questions: Garda Remuneration (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to ensuring that members of An Garda Síochána enjoy a high standard of working conditions and that they are properly resourced and equipped to carry out their duties. Even during the difficult economic period, every effort was made to protect the Garda budget. In line with the recent economic improvement, the 2016 Garda...
- Priority Questions: Garda Remuneration (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the House that there is no shortage of people applying to become members of An Garda Síochána. Very high numbers continue to apply to enter training and I welcome that. Clearly, we want to see everybody within the Lansdowne Road pay agreement. Gardaí were subject to the same pay reductions as all other public servants over the course of the financial crisis...
- Priority Questions: Garda Remuneration (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I very much hope that the situation relating to increments described by the Deputy does not arise. Clearly, the discussions and negotiations in which we are involved are aimed at ensuring this situation does not occur on 1 July 2016. Detailed discussions and negotiations are ongoing and various options are being put on the table. I believe both bodies have entered into the discussions in a...
- Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, I published the report of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters relative to the Cavan-Monaghan Division of An Garda Síochána) on 11 May. As I have previously stated, it deserves the most careful consideration so that we can do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the issues which gave rise to the commission in the first place. On...
- Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: These are very significant powers in respect of investigation. I must consider every investigation very carefully in terms of whether it is the right thing to do. I had to consider the commission of investigation and the context and I had to get the advice of the Attorney General as to whether she considered it appropriate given the various issues involved. The information relating to the...
- Priority Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (22 Jun 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I do not know the details of the interaction between Transparency International Ireland and the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner has said she wants to make every effort to ensure that whistleblowers are dealt with appropriately in the Garda Síochána and that the culture of whistleblowing changes so that it is a safe place if members of the force wish to report issues of...