Results 1,621-1,640 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Business of Seanad (6 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I understand. I just want to emphasise that.

Seanad: Appointment of Receivers: Motion (6 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. In talking about receivers or liquidators it is important to state they must at all times act within the law. If they act outside it, action can be taken. I know that the Garda in co-operating with receivers will ensure they will at all times act not only within the law but also within the terms of a court order. That is important.It is not a case of...

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State who has made a comprehensive statement on this matter. I remind Senator Kathryn Reilly that 20,000 jobs will be lost in Northern Ireland, the equivalent to 60,000 jobs being lost in the Twenty-six Counties, and that it has had poor economic growth rates for several years. This is an issue that should not be ignored. In 2014 we had a 4.8% economic growth...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Child Care: Discussion (7 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the delegates for their detailed contributions and the work they are doing. It is unfortunate that in the period 2000 to 2010, when huge funds were available, there was very little development in this area. A lot more should have been done during that ten year period. What was able to be done in the past three to four years was limited because of the lack of funding. It was stated...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking this matter. My concern relates to Knocknaheeny and what is now known as the north-west regeneration project in Cork city. I represented that area of the city for 12 years on Cork City Council. When I left the city council in 2007, the project was being planned but since then, progress has been extremely slow. I am particularly...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I have two concerns. First, I have no details on the amount of money allocated for 2014 and what was subsequently drawn down. That is the reason I raise this issue. The project is progressing extremely slowly. As I stated, there are 1,150 local authority houses in this area. For 2015, a total of 23 will be completed. I am not saying all 1,150 houses will be affected by the changes but...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: Can I ask about-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: -----the amount allocated in 2014 also?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I wish to support Senator Whelan with regard to the report relating to Portlaoise hospital. It is important that this matter be debated. In that context, a number of key issues must be considered. In the first instance, there are 19 maternity units throughout the country. Why is it not possible to publish perinatal morality rates relating to each of these units, particularly when, as I...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption in Ireland: Statements (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister and thank him for a comprehensive overview of this issue, including the relevant facts and figures. Senator Ó Murchú noted that alcohol-related issues cost the health service €3.7 billion annually. The direct cost of alcohol is €2.4 billion. The Minister noted that 83 people die each month as a direct result of health problems caused by...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption in Ireland: Statements (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: At 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: It is not correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: It is important to respond to what has been said about the health services. I would welcome a debate on the matter. All the information on the health services needs to be out there. I ask the House to understand what this Government inherited. I have gone through the Portlaoise report. In fairness, some patients were not given adequate care. Certainly, the treatment provided to them was...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I am.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I remind the Senator that according to the 2003 Hanly report on maternity services, there were 93 obstetrics and gynaecology consultants in HSE hospitals at that time. The report recommended that there should be 190 people in such roles by 2012, but the reality is that there was no real change in the period from 2003 to 2011. The number of births increased from 61,500 in 2003 to 75,500 in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank Mr. Quinn for his report and presentation. I will go through a few matters because some members have touched on some of the issues that I wanted to raise. Regarding the numbers in Portlaoise hospital, my understanding is that the number of deliveries in the hospital increased from approximately 1,000 a year to 2,300 over a short time period. Mr. Quinn referred in his report to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: The key time was between 2003 and 2009 when there was a huge increase in the number of deliveries. Was the response during that period appropriate? I know that we have now responded, but that period predates any of our major financial problems nationally. Surely there was someone in charge at managerial level. How come there was no response at that stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: That suggests to me that when the health service identifies an increased demand, it is too slow in responding, regardless of the service in question. I know of a person who worked in the health service in the United Kingdom. A sudden increase in demand was identified and within six months a new clinic had been opened. The person in question came back to Ireland to work and also saw an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: Was the issue of managerial skills evident in that matter? We are all identifying a lack of skills, for instance nursing or medical skills, but has poor judgment been identified in the placing of 1,500 people into jobs on the administration side without an interview?