Results 401-420 of 2,099 for speaker:Ivor Callely

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Ivor Callely: For those of us who understand the pharmacy issue, some arrangements are in place, which are the bedrock and foundation of the cost of medication in Ireland. People should get a handle on that. Dispensing costs are a different issue. The two positions being put forward are contrary. The IPU's position does not equate to the position being put forward by the Department of Health and...

Seanad: Stardust Tragedy: Motion (8 Jul 2009)

Ivor Callely: I formally second the motion before the House and welcome the Stardust committee, survivors and friends who are present in the Visitors Gallery. It is correct that we should amend the record of Seanad Éireann by way of the motion before the House. The motion is a clear acknowledgement of a difficult and at times trying struggle by the Stardust committee which continued its fight against...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2009)

Ivor Callely: I wish to raise two important problems in the area of banking. I ask the Leader to indicate how the banks are required to demonstrate compliance with the code of conduct on mortgage arrears and business lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. I am aware that difficulties are being experienced by people in both areas. The code of conduct facilitates access to credit, promotes...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2009)

Ivor Callely: -----either their banks or their investors. Most people in this room and in the general public would be able to name such people immediately, although I would not do that in the House as it would not be the right thing to do. However, I ask the Leader to let us know what progress has been made on the investigations that we are led to believe are under way. We will of course allow for due...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Ivor Callely: I support the sentiments expressed by the last speaker about the strike action being taken by electrical contractors. While there is a time and place for everything, the action is sending out the wrong signal at this challenging time. My understanding is that the public is totally opposed to the strike. People are surprised electricians have chosen to take this action. The unions need to...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: Like my colleague Senator Hanafin, I welcome the IMF report, the encouraging aspects of it and that the views and comments of the Minister for Finance are in line with the IMF. The actions being taken by the Government in the marketplace seem to be correct, even though we are in uncharted waters. Many people are experiencing financial difficulties in this terrain. I have referred to the...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I appreciate the Minister of State tabling this amendment. There was much debate on the mental capacity of the applicant and the role of another person. It is nice to see that, through the tabling of this amendment, the Minister of State has taken on board the issues raised during the debate. I congratulate her and the Department in that regard.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I look forward with interest to what the Minister of State has to say on this. I presume there will be some mechanism. The Minister of State touched on this issue when we spoke on Committee Stage but perhaps she would clarify for the record. If there are changes in circumstances, there will have to be some accommodation. I would welcome clarification on how that will be done.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: We had an interesting exchange concerning this matter on Second Stage. It is a relatively significant aspect of the legislation. Private nursing home operators would be very satisfied indeed if they were to receive exactly the same payment as public hospitals or nursing homes for the same bed given the same level of dependency. If that were the case, there would not be an issue in this...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: It would be true for some, but not all of them. I invite the Senator to visit a few of them with me and he would certainly see that they would not have met the inspection regime private providers had to meet. It was probably wise that we inserted such provisions in legislation at that time, because we would not have been able to close all the beds on inspection and provide the required...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I can certainly tell Senator Twomey that I am familiar with a number of these institutions. I have visited them and I assure the Senator that a number would not have met the inspection regime that was in place. Perhaps the Minister of State would like to answer that point, although it may be better not to do so on the floor of the House. I may be incorrect in what I am saying but I have my...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I support the call for a debate on the economy. I have raised the two issues of concern facing the country, namely, matters relating to the economy and to finance and banking. I asked the Leader to discuss this matter with the other leaders and agree a schedule in order that we could have a regular debate to ensure we at up to date on these issues. Senator MacSharry put forward proposals on...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: It goes back a long way.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: If Senator Buttimer wants to look at the record, this goes back-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: -----over many Administrations.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I challenge Senator Buttimer any day on the record of all previous Administrations.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I ask the Leader to arrange a briefing on what are deemed to be savage pharmacy reimbursement cuts which are causing considerable unrest. When this issue was raised a few months ago, the Minister was found wanting in her proposals at that time. From what I am hearing, I could not support the current proposal. I ask the Leader to indicate the progress with regard to finance being made...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: They are creating serious difficulties for a large number of SMEs by withdrawing facilities they had provided heretofore, yet the information I am being given is contrary to what is happening on the ground. I am putting a marker down on this and ask the Leader to discuss the issue with the other leaders in the House and come back in the coming days with proposals to monitor this matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I ask the Leader to indicate the success or otherwise of the cycle to work scheme introduced in the last budget. Will he put to the Department of Finance the view that the abolition of VAT on bicycles might encourage people, other than those who use them to go to work, to increase their use of bicycles? Another issue about which I am concerned is bus services. My understanding is that Bus...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister for Transport on organising National Bike Week, which I hope will be a tremendous success. I encourage everybody to cycle a little more this week. That follows the previous speaker's comments about the absence of the Green Party Members. This measure was done by a Fianna Fáil Minister.