Results 2,981-3,000 of 3,895 for speaker:John Halligan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Medical Card Eligibility (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: I ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation whereby in assessing income for eligibility of a medical card, persons over 70s are assessed on gross income but under 70s are assessed on net income. Does he have any plans to rectify this and assess income based on net income for all applicants? I ask him to make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Medical Card Eligibility (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: In recent weeks I have come across three people aged over 70 who have been refused medical cards. They discovered the reason was that gross income is assessed in their cases. This is an issue of equality. One would imagine that those aged over 70 should be treated the same as those aged under 70 in the assessment of income and net income should be used for everyone. The HSE has launched...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Medical Card Eligibility (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: Could the Minister of State propose an amendment to the Bill going through the House this week to provide for equality of treatment thereby making the system fair? Like other Deputies, I have spoken to people in the health service who say making an application and assessment for people over or under 70 is confusing. An amendment to the Bill would clarify the situation.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: The potential exists for a very serious crisis in accident and emergency departments. I spoke last night to some consultants who work in Waterford Regional Hospital. They told me that the HSE and the Department of Health are sending a clear message to Indian doctors that they are sufficiently qualified to provide essential services in a time of crisis, but are not wanted in our hospitals in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: The stated objective of this country's health service is that "staffing levels ... should be driven primarily by the need to achieve optimal health and quality of life". HIQA has said that the standards at Ireland's maternity hospitals, for example, are 30% lower than the standards recommended across Europe. There are 4,000 people on the waiting list and there is a four year backlog at the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: I accept that. I would not argue that point with the Minister.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 3. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the current moratorium on recruitment within the Health Service Executive is negatively impacting on the provision of services across the spectrum and it is only a matter of time before the entire service is irreparably damaged; if the Health Information and Quality Authority has given its recommendations for minimum requirements...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Services (13 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: Last week, an appeal went out to the people of Waterford not to use the accident and emergency department in Waterford Regional Hospital because of overcrowding. I have been told that trolleys containing very sick people were double parked in the corridors of the accident and emergency department. Will the Minister offer an explanation as to why two Indian doctors posted to the accident and...

Access to Credit: Motion [Private Members] (12 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: I compliment Fianna Fáil on tabling an excellent Private Members' motion. As I do not have as much time to speak on it as I would like, I will concentrate on the SME sector in terms of sustaining economic recovery and supporting job creation. Almost 1,600 SMEs went to the wall over a period of two and half years, and it is estimated that another 800 to 900 are struggling....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (12 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has intervened with the Egyptian Government to demand the release of four Irish citizens who are being held in an Egyptian prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47710/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection Issues (12 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 299. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the criminal concerns the Garda had, as distinct from child protection concerns, in the case of the seven year old child taken from a Roma family in Tallaght; if it is criminal concerns that explains the removal of the child from the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47712/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Racial Profiling (12 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 300. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way racial profiling is used in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47713/13]

Cannabis Regulation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: Some criticism has been levelled at the Technical Group for facilitating Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan in bringing forward this motion. It is not a Bill but a Private Members' motion. There is democracy within the Technical Group which allows every individual to speak his or her mind on any issue in the Dáil. This is not the case in some parties. I refer to the abortion legislation...

Cannabis Regulation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: I do not know about that. We could do with more time to debate this issue and perhaps when the Bill is brought before the House, we will have. I refer to a letter I have received which reads as follows:Dear John, I am at the end of my tether. I am only fit to throw myself in the river. I honestly need your compassion and co-operation when you read this letter. Please let me explain my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme Issues (5 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 625. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 17 July 2013, in view of the fact that both the eel and salmon fisheries in Ireland were suspended without any form of compensation or diversification being offered which resulted in recent tragedies where affected fishermen were forced to take greater risks making a living...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme Issues (5 Nov 2013)

John Halligan: 626. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his view's that traditional commercial fishing is an important part of the heritage of rural life and is a tradition which stretches back generations over hundreds of years; his views that it is essential that we retain and pass on this heritage which is vital to the conservation of the traditions in rural fishing...

Restorative Justice (Reparation of Victims) Bill 2013: First Stage (24 Oct 2013)

John Halligan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to introduce a requirement for offenders to make reparation for injury suffered by victims or damage caused to property as a direct result of the commission by the offender of a criminal offence; to provide for recognition to be afforded to voluntary pre-trial reparation at sentencing; to provide for post-conviction reparation;...

Restorative Justice (Reparation of Victims) Bill 2013: First Stage (24 Oct 2013)

John Halligan: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Connemara Oil Field (24 Oct 2013)

John Halligan: 22. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the details of an oil find by Statoil in 1997 in the Connemara field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45049/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Collection (24 Oct 2013)

John Halligan: 73. To ask the Minister for Finance in relation to the local property tax, if he will confirm since its collection the percentage of those persons considered to be the responsible person who have registered for the tax; the percentage who have actually made arrangements to pay the tax; if he will confirm the figure that has been collected to date per county; of the figure collected, the...