Results 21,981-22,000 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I do not think any individual patient's case was more examined by myself and my Department than the Deputy's.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: The Deputy knows why it has not proceeded but it would not be proper to state the reason in the House. A hygiene audit is under way in the hospitals because this is a serious issue. It is a question of basic hygiene which should not require legislation but rather the enforcement of high standards. The HSE is currently devising those standards and they will be enforced.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I will not read the full title as the Deputy has done. I know he is particularly interested in this matter. It is not possible to say at this stage. It states that the interim indication provisions have been included in the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2005.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: As I said earlier, the Bill will be introduced later this year.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I am not familiar with the legislation. I will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, and will revert to the Deputy.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: Not that I am aware of. However, we will check.

Good Samaritan Bill 2005: First Stage. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: No.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I acknowledge that the Government has been in office for eight years. That is true and the Government was returned to office at the last election. However, if we reflect on those eight years, while we can see challenges and difficulties, equally we can see major progress in Ireland. For example, last year, this economy created 72,000 jobs. When the two Government parties came to office in...

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: One in every seven houses in the country was built in the last number of years. However, I must accept there are challenges, including in respect of the provision of infrastructure, in health care and in education.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: Yes, there are challenges in other areas. It is our job as a Government to deal with those challenges, which we will do. Specifically regarding road safety——

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I will not be distracted by heckling, but specifically in respect of road safety, although the numbers of fatalities on our roads are too high, they are much better than they were some years ago. The decision of the Government to increase the membership of the Garda Síochána by 2,000 is——

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: No, it is happening and as part of this, a new dedicated traffic corps will be established. That is essential if we are to enforce safety standards on our roads.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I will not be distracted by Deputy Jim O'Keeffe.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I accept Deputy Kenny's statements pertaining to road safety and the Government has a major role to play in this area. However, all of us as citizens also have an important role to play in this regard and we should not lose sight of that.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I hope Deputy Kenny acknowledges the last comment was a light-hearted one from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: When Deputy Kenny talks about roads, traffic and so on, he does not mention the huge drop in the cost of motor insurance in recent years. When he criticises the Government on matters which are being addressed, perhaps he could acknowledge the progress made in motor insurance costs which are down by over 30%. The number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads has been substantially reduced...

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Taoiseach and the entire Government take the findings of the Morris report very seriously and the Minister is already on record as saying he intends to bring forward amendments to the legislation on foot of the recommendations in the Morris report to ensure greater accountability and oversight in regard to the operation of the Garda...

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: That is the reason the Minister wants an Ombudsman commission for the Garda Síochána. We may argue about how it should happen but the Minister is open to suggestions in that regard.

Leaders' Questions. (15 Jun 2005)

Mary Harney: I answer on behalf of the Government and not on behalf of a particular party in it. I answer for the entire Government when I say it is taking on board the recommendations in the Morris tribunal report. There will be a debate in the House on Friday of this week and the Minister will clearly outline his proposals in regard to the Garda Síochána. As the Deputy knows, the Minister intends to...