Results 381-400 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: In the exercise, the Attorney General is to try to get simple case files handed over to the independent review group. The section on which the Deputy is focusing states: "The Minister may, where he or she considers it necessary in the public interest to do so for the performance of his or her functions (whether under this Act or otherwise)." This section ensures that whatever the HSE is...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: A number of matters were raised with regard to the four amendments under discussion. Deputy O'Sullivan began by saying that none of this should be necessary, and there is a grain of truth in that. It should not be necessary to extract information from an agency of the State under any circumstances. However, in the case of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it was clearly required that we...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I agree it can be an expensive exercise but it will be a single document so it might be just over €20 and I will certainly try to assist him in that regard if there are any difficulties. These documents are available under freedom of information as long as they do not belong in a certain category of documents which are not available under freedom of information for whatever reason.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: They may be part of the deliberative process and that is why so many documents are not put in the public domain on a daily basis. While one might genuflect at the altar of transparency too easily, one can do that at the cost of having frank and proper deliberation of important issues of Government and the development of public policy in a way that can be restricted by freedom of information...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I do not intend to repeat what I said in my initial comments on these amendments, but will make a general comment about the HSE. An impression that cannot be contradicted by mere fact has been created that the HSE is some monster living in a cellar somewhere that stalks the land and -----

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The fact that members of my party seem to think the same thing just goes to show how difficult it is to contradict it. Surveys suggest that in excess of 90% of people who have received service from the HSE have been satisfied with that service. However, the figure representing those who feel the HSE is doing a good job is probably less than 10%. The notion has seeped into the public mind...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes, we find it hard to sell our story. It does not suit the narrative that is sometimes fed by comments made in the House. Deputy Shatter is concerned about the volume of work involved for the review group. I share his concern since the new figures were issued. I have indicated to members of the group and in the media that I will provide the group with whatever additional resources it...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes, but one issues guidelines in respect of the furnishing of information under either what the HSE notify me about or what I decide. Section 40B(b)(i) refers to "any such occurrence or development that, in the opinion of the Executive, the Minister is likely to [require]". Consequently, this pertains to a proactive decision taken by the executive. Section 40B(b)(ii) deals with a decision...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second and Remaining Stages (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I made some remarks before the debate was adjourned and I intend to offer further clarification in this regard. I refer to section 40B. Deputy Shatter raised the issue of what "without delay" means. It must be read in the context of the section which places an obligation on the HSE to monitor and keep under review occurrences and developments concerning matters relating to its objects and...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: Section 40B states that the executive shall monitor and keep under review occurrences and developments concerning matters relating to its object and functions, as Deputy O'Sullivan said. It is a much broader remit than the specific attempt by the Bill to enable the independent review group to receive information via the Minister from the executive. It also provides that, without delay, it...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second and Remaining Stages (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am glad to be able to respond to the comments made by Members last night and this afternoon. This is important legislation and I genuinely am glad the three Members who spoke welcomed it, albeit obviously and naturally with various caveats. The purpose of the Bill is clear and focused. Given the short available timeframe within which it was drafted, it was drafted with great care and...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." In bringing the Health (Amendment) Bill before this House, I do so on the basis that all Members share the common view that the work of the independent review group on child deaths is of the utmost importance and urgency. The publication of the Bill last Friday fulfilled the Government's commitment to act decisively to progress the work of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Child Care Act 1991 provides that it shall be a function of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. I advised the House in the course of the recent debate on the Implementation of the Ryan Commission recommendations that it is not my intention to separate the child welfare and protection service from the...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I established the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths on the 8th of March 2010. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed to the Group when an initial examination of documentation has been completed by the two appointed members. The Group has commenced work and it is the intention that it...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 79 together. One of the principal commitments in the Ryan Implementation Plan is the need to ensure that all children in care have an allocated social worker and a care plan. To this end, the Government has committed to filling 270 HSE social worker posts by the end of 2011 and to the frontloading of this initiative in 2010 with the filling of 200...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendment on Children: Constitutional Amendment on Children (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs presented a copy of the third and final report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children to Cabinet in early March. The Cabinet decided that in view of the complex nature of the issues involved, all Ministers and Government Departments should consider the report and examine the implications of the proposed wording for their...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Health (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was published on 18 June 2010 and circulated to Oireachtas members. The Bill will commence second stage passage in the Dáil today. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the legislative base for the provision of information by the Health Service Executive to the Minister for Health and Children so as to enhance the Minister's ability to fulfil his or her...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (22 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 168 together. I have been informed by HIQA that the reports the Deputy refers to are currently out with providers for factual accuracy checking. Once this process is complete the reports will be sent to the Board and to the Minister for Health and Children and the final reports will be published online by the Authority.