Results 4,941-4,960 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Níl.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Acting Chairman has already declared the result.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: These amendments broadly concern the issue of viability. In making reference to a medical practitioner's reasonable opinion, the Bill places a statutory duty on each practitioner forming an opinion to have regard to the need to preserve unborn human life as far as practicable. This imposes a clear duty on doctors to make every effort to preserve the life of the foetus where possible. We...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: There is often a tendency - I concede that it is not confined to one or other perspective in this debate - to quote from experts and expertise which tend to support or validate the argument one is putting forward. That is perfectly allowable and is a legitimate form of debate. There is no difficulty about it. We are all inclined to reach for studies that tend to support the case we wish to...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I have nothing further to add. If I am not mistaken, I spoke on this amendment already.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The amendment proposes widening the list of medical practitioners permitted to carry out the medical procedure at issue in the legislation. However, other than in an emergency, a termination of pregnancy should only be carried out by an obstetrician or gynaecologist. This strict provision is to ensure that the procedures are carried out by highly-skilled and qualified relevant medical...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Senator for the comprehensive treatment she has given to this important matter. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are serious health, social and human rights issues that affect people across society from all walks of life and all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds and across all age groups. The majority of victims are women but a significant number of men are...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I will relay the Senator's additional comments and I thank her again for raising this important issue. There was a good debate in the House on the broader question some time ago. The Senator raised a specific issue relating to Dundalk. I have given a response as best I can but if she wishes to obtain additional details, I will assist her in that regard.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Water Supply (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and his thoughtful remarks and analysis, as always. I am dealing with this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The availability of a long-term, reliable, high-quality and economic supply of drinking water is a key requirement for the future development of the Leinster and the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Water Supply (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I will certainly relay the Senator's additional remarks. I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will take due note, as the Senator has asked, of the additional points, including his reference to the necessity to expedite these projects as quickly as possible.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Water Supply (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Yes.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Water Meters Installation (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Senator for raising this matter with which I am dealing on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the European Union, the IMF and the European Central Bank, with which the Senator will be familiar, provide for the introduction of domestic water charges. The...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: As currently drafted, the Bill places a clear obligation on medical practitioners to ascertain - by the very wording of the section, and Senator Gilroy made this point - whether it is possible to deliver the unborn or, indeed, take other measures that would enable the foetus to be brought to the point of viability before the pregnancy was ended in order to save the mother's life. I remind...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: How many times does that have to be repeated in order for people to understand what we are actually talking about? That is why we are bringing in this legislation. That is the basis upon which it is being introduced to the House. Senator Bradford asked about the question of constitutionality, but ultimately that is not for me to decide. We touched on this the last day. I thank the Senator...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Senator referred to an opinion formed on reasonable grounds and in good faith, which has regard to the right to life of the unborn. I would respectfully say, however, that he is probably wrong in thinking that is stronger than a provision that requires the doctor to have regard to the need to preserve unborn life as far as practicable. I actually think that is stronger than the...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I have nothing to add to that.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Later?

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I am only required to address the amendments in the group. Senator Mullen's and Senator Bradford's amendments refer to the certifying personal and not the doctor carrying out the procedure. Therefore, there is no difference. I cannot see the necessity for the amendment stating "being an opinion which respects the equal right to life of the unborn, and which has regard to the duty to deliver...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: On Senator Ó Murchú's last point, there could be no objection at all to there being careful consideration of the legislation, what it is intended to do or objections raised by Senators to its wording and terms. There is no issue about that and is what Members are here to do. Moreover, it is no less legitimate for a Senator to table amendments that have the effect of altering...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Perhaps not here, although to some extent, perhaps in one case here. However, in this group of amendments that is largely not the case. However, I believe I am entitled to draw a distinction between the two approaches. As for these amendments, I will respond to amendment No. 16 first, which refers to the wording in the Bill on reasonable opinion and proposes to delete the phrase "as far as...