Results 141-160 of 228 for speaker:Déirdre de Búrca

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: His vision for the future delivery of cancer services involves a greater reliance on ambulatory and community based services, along with specialist centres. That is the type of model we should look to for the HSE generally. Over time, we can expect to be able to point to discrete areas of the health service with clear figureheads. The Leas-Chathaoirleach has indicated that I have used up my...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I was only getting started. I regret that I do not have sufficient time to make all the points I hoped to make. While I welcome the Labour Party motion, I also acknowledge the many positive developments that were highlighted by the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: Like Senator Hannigan, I welcome the announcement that agreement was reached last night in Croke Park on the international treaty banning the use of cluster munitions or cluster bombs. The central role played by Ireland in organising this conference and in pushing forward the issue must be acknowledged, as must the role the United Kingdom is playing. It appears that its Prime Minister, Mr....

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: The Leader of the House should consider, as a matter of urgency, asking the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to address the House on this issue. I believe he considers it to be such an important issue that he would be willing to do so despite his busy schedule.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I wish to raise the issue of the fatalities which occurred on our roads during the bank holiday weekend. I begin by expressing my sympathy to the families of those who died on our roads. It was disturbing to hear the chairman of the Road Safety Authority calling for two Departments to agree on the roll-out of speed cameras. According to the chairman, Gay Byrne, a stand-off between the...

Seanad: Charter of Fundamental Rights: Statements (4 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am glad of this opportunity to debate the charter of fundamental rights that is attached to the Lisbon treaty by means of a protocol. The treaty sets out to bring the EU and its institutions closer to citizens, as well as making itself more relevant to the citizenry of the Union. The charter helps to do just that. The treaty itself clarifies...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I agree with the points Senator Alex White raised. This morning's bookies odds on a "No" vote in the Lisbon treaty are worrying. The bookies have improved the odds of a "No" vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: Those of us who are concerned about the Lisbon treaty and who want it ratified need to look at those constituencies which are concerned about the possible implications of ratifying the treaty with a view to reassuring them. It appears the Taoiseach reassured the farming community to such an extent that the president of the IFA, who addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I would like to start by commenting on the vote last week of the Irish public in regard to the Lisbon treaty. This is the first opportunity the House has had to discuss the outcome of that vote. We are in a situation we did not predict. There was a resounding "No" vote to the Lisbon treaty and it is a difficult position for Ireland to be in. I wish the Taoiseach good luck tomorrow when he...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: ——was to align the electoral areas with the Dáil constituencies——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: ——and to reduce the number of three-seat constituencies. Every democrat in this House will be very happy that the number of three-seat constituencies has been significantly reduced.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: It is in the interests of the proportional representation system, of independent candidates and of smaller parties.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: Any of us who believe in the democratic system will welcome that change. I compliment the committee and welcome the recommendations.

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to the House. Like the rest of us he is probably trying to digest the verdict of the Irish people on the Lisbon treaty, which we became aware of last Friday. There is an opportunity to define what is the problem. Given this unpredicted result, I have great sympathy for the Taoiseach who has to attend the European summit tomorrow and see what...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Motion (18 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, to the House and wish him well in his new portfolio. I was impressed by his response to some of the earlier contributions and I may cover some of the same ground. That the Minister of State would use this debate as part of the consultation process is a good way to benefit from the various perspectives that Senators will articulate on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I participated in the Dublin Pride parade in Dublin on Saturday. It was a very enjoyable experience and very good humoured, but there were several references to the hope that the civil partnership Bill would be introduced as soon as possible. Members had a good debate in recent months on the Civil Partnership Bill and there seemed to be consensus around the House on the importance of...

Seanad: Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the opportunity to make a statement on older persons. This is a key issue for the Government because it is important that we start planning for aging in Ireland and ensure that we make it a positive experience. There is none of us here who will not experience the aging process and it is important that with advance knowledge of the extent to which our population will age, we put in...

Seanad: Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: Age Action Ireland asked that the Government would ensure proper measures are put in place in anticipation of these price rises and that the next budget might look at the issue of fuel allowance for older persons to match the increases in energy bills. Age Action Ireland proposed that energy providers could play their part in easing hardship for pensioners by deferring any increased charges...

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. On behalf of the Green Party, I am very happy to propose that this Bill be now read a Second Time. It is quite limited in its scope, which is deliberate. There is a much wider debate about the appropriateness of certain psychiatric practices and the model that underpins them. Those of us who have been involved in the mental health...

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Déirdre de Búrca: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, for his open response and the commitments he made to addressing some of the issues raised in the Bill. Many Ministers and Ministers of State come before us but I was very impressed by the extent to which he indicated his willingness to take these issues seriously and make progress in respect of them. I thank him for this and for setting out his...