Results 3,501-3,520 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I will interrupt Dr. Henry for a second. In actual fact, it is people awaiting diagnosis whom I am most concerned about. People who have not been diagnosed do not know where to go next or where they should go. It should not be that way. It should be possible, after four, five, ten or whatever number of hours waiting, to find out what the patient is suffering from.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. Gloster.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Mr. Gloster made reference to the top-heaviness of administration in the HSE. How will that be affected by the recent pause on recruitment? Will it be added to or will it be dealt with in a strategic manner?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Who set that number?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: It would be alarming if it were found that the top-heaviness was growing during the pause on recruitment as opposed to going in the opposite direction. From a management point of view, it should be going in the opposite direction and the opportunity should be taken to give assurance that the administration will not become more top-heavy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Which is the most important to address?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: An issue I have raised before is security in emergency departments and admissions and the appalling abuse dished out to staff by would-be patients, frustrated patients or people of whom it is difficult to discover why they are there in the first place. The abuse experienced by medical staff, including nurses, doctors and attendants, is appalling and has to be witnessed to be fully...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: It will make a big difference.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. Gloster.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Winter Preparedness in the Hospital System: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I intend-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Following the publication of the report and the investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment within the Defence Forces, have there been any other incidents reported?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Again, I congratulate the Tánaiste on his progressive approach to the issues raised by a number of Deputies. Has there been a strict identification of the cause or causes of recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence Forces? Have women been reassured by the actions to date that the Defence Forces can be a place to follow a career in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Tánaiste for the comprehensive nature of his reply. By way of supplementary question, if he is satisfied with the progress to date regarding the changes deemed to be necessary within the Defence Forces, to what extent does he think the proposed changes are accepted within the Defence Forces? Given the necessity to deal with such issues in the shortest possible time, and in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Are the issues around pay and working conditions being fully addressed in an aggressive way in order to ensure that the Defence Forces and its membership can rest assured that the changes proposed are inevitable, that they are being made, and that they are being taken seriously, and that refers to all and every aspect of the report?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent of his recent discussions with his EU colleagues in regard to defence and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50870/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the degree to which we can expect any improvement, encouragement, or financial contribution from our European colleagues regarding defence and security, given the extensive shoreline for which this country has responsibility and that we are living in a time of many challenges from many sources.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Tánaiste. Can I ask the extent to which discussions have taken place with our EU colleagues with a view to speeding up the degree of support which may be available in the event of a rapid attack from some quarter, given as the Tánaiste has said, the situation in Ukraine and how quickly it happened and with no warning? It might be necessary to have some further...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: It could happen.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: The variety of potential threats, such as drug running - and our congratulations go to the Defence Forces on their tremendous success in recent times in this area - also underlines the necessity to prepare for an ongoing attack on incursion in that area, and that at all times it is now necessary to make preparations well in advance and to try to ensure our defence systems have the technology,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Security and Defence Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I think it would be fair to say that we have engaged through our individual partnership for peace, the renewal of that individually tailor-made programme with NATO in the context of Partners for Peace, with which we have been involved since 1999. The areas we have prioritised with PESCO are subsea cables and infrastructure, critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. The big attack we had in...