Results 21-40 of 789 for speaker:Duncan Smith in 'Dáil debates'

Rare Diseases: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: Last week, I met with the Alliance of Rare Diseases Companies Ireland, which made one thing very clear: the current reimbursement system is not fit for purpose. We need a system that is clear, predictable and time-bound, with fixed assessment criteria and, most important, one that facilitates immediate or early access to rare disease therapies. As the Minister mentioned in his own...

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: On a point of order, in relation to Deputy O'Donoghue's contribution, whatever about the slings and arrows and banter back and forth, there was a number of references to straitjackets there. This House has done a lot of work in relation to mental health.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: We have debates on mental health. I would ask that the Deputy withdraw that remark.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: The Deputy should withdraw-----

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is not befitting of this House.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is not befitting of this House.

Supporting People with Disabilities and Carers: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Sinn Féin for introducing this important motion. Every time we debate disabilities and carers in the Dáil, a structural issue arises. We have an issue like we had in UHL today, for example. The matter is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. If we are talking about taxation reform, the Minister for Finance is responsible, and so on, but responsibility for...

Child and Youth Mental Health: Statements (29 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is seven months since the Mental Health Commission published its final report on child and adolescent mental health services. Earlier this week, we heard that the Government does not want to regulate CAMHS now, choosing instead to wait until the summer session of the Dáil to introduce its own Bill for that purpose. We do not yet have sight of that Bill. Those of us involved in...

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Deputies Cullinane and Ward for bringing forward the Bill and acknowledge the work of Deputy Ward in the field of young persons' mental health over recent years. The Mental Health Commission's report into CAMHS highlighted a multitude of concerning issues on which we have seen too little action from this Government. To list some of the issues highlighted, we have seen children being...

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: I informed the Whip's office that I would not be taking my full 20 minutes.

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: The Labour Party and I welcome this Bill. It provides the mechanism to allow us to can make regulations that will enable pharmacists to sell and supply approved medicines without the need for prescriptions. This is a positive step in addressing the increased pressure that is placed on GPs and GP services. During a Private Members' debate this morning, I spoke about the lack of GP services...

Healthcare Provision in Rural Communities: Motion [Private Members] (21 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: 11 o’clock I also want to extend my sympathies and those of the Labour Party to Deputy Collins on his loss. I thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing forward this motion on GP numbers and rural healthcare. I will send the Minister of State a note on this, but there is a situation with a community nursing home in Nenagh that has been in development for seven years. My...

Paediatric Orthopaedic and Urology Services: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Deputy Cullinane and Sinn Féin for tabling this motion. I welcome the children and parents in the Public Gallery who are watching the debate. Waiting lists remain a national disgrace. That has been the case for a long time. While the Government has made efforts to address them, the fact that they are so long should illustrate how those efforts have failed. Last week, the...

Road Traffic Bill 2024: Second Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: We know that road deaths have increased, and have increased significantly, so I not only welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill but welcome the Bill itself. The legislation will mark a good step forward in what needs to be an ongoing effort to ensure the safety and well-being of every individual on our roads, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and all road users. However, I feel...

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Duncan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to make a statement on the issue of service provision for international protection applicants and recipients, and, indeed, on the topic of immigration, and, more broadly, our international protection system. Certain Deputies have recently given the impression that they believe that this topic is off limits, that having the debate is somehow being stifled by some...

Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Jan 2024)

Duncan Smith: The Bill before us can be viewed as technical and complex, and when taken with the AHR Bill, it is many of those things. However, at the heart of this debate and this Bill is one simple question - should the children born to LGBTQ+ couples have one legal parent or two? It is that simple. We cannot accept the nine-month delay, given the reasons that have been outlined, the life cycle of...

Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Jan 2024)

Duncan Smith: No, I will stick to the order.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Quality (25 Jan 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank the Minister. I am familiar with all of those websites. The problem is that for residents, particularly in south Swords and in estates like Ridgewood, Boroimhe and River Valley - huge estates with large populations - there has been a huge increase in both the smell of aviation fuel and particulate matter being visible on sills, curtains and walls in these estates. The monitoring...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Quality (25 Jan 2024)

Duncan Smith: I appreciate that. All of this is taking place in a couple of contexts. The DAA has changed its complaints mechanism, which has actually made it more difficult for residents and local communities to make any number of complaints, not just in this area. Also, we know the air quality in our city and all over the county is struggling. We have a huge problem and we have articulated that. The...