Results 50,901-50,920 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: I have sympathy with the Senators but to be fair, from day one we were clear that we did not envisage outdoor areas being covered by the smoking ban. With respect to the debate that has taken place over the past 12 months on an enclosed smoking ban and the virtues or otherwise of ventilation, it would have been difficult to put forward the argument that in the open air smoke is as bad for one...

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Finlay tribunal, which reported in 1997, noted that between November 1991 and December 1993, donors in the Munster region who tested positive for hepatitis C were not immediately informed of their test results. One of these donors, known to the tribunal as Donor L, gave evidence that he had made blood donations regularly between 1986 and July 1993. He expressed considerable distress and...

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: I thought the Deputy had said that earlier.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: She also said she did not want a tribunal of inquiry as such.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: I certainly did not hope that.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: I thought the Deputy said it. I will check the record.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Originally, the groups agreed on a non-statutory inquiry undertaken by a senior counsel.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Then the IBTS issued a public statement to the effect that there should be a judicial inquiry, albeit non-statutory.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: We then indicated that we would await the Commissions of Investigation Bill to provide an appropriate mechanism for such an investigation. In the interim there was another major——

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: They are informed.

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: That is a matter——

Hepatitis C Incidence. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: It is envisaged that the legislation will provide for compellability of witnesses and hearings in public if necessary. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has confirmed that the Commissions of Investigation Bill is one of its top priorities for enactment in the coming months. As soon as the legislative framework is in place, I will seek Government approval to proceed with the...

Written Answers — Health Board Services. : Health Board Services. (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Health boards are not legally obliged to provide chiropody services to medical card holders. The formal position is that arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody services, are a matter for the individual health boards, having regard to their priorities within the funding allocated. Accordingly, chiropody services provided by health boards vary throughout the country...

Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Under the 1970 Health Act, a health board may make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people suffering from the following conditions and who are not medical card holders for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme: mental handicap, mental illness for persons under 16 years only, phenylketonuria,...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons living in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of services to residents of County Galway is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position regarding this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the matters raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Health Board Services: Health Board Services (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: No allowances are payable to opticians under the optometric schemes operated by the health boards. Replacement lenses are routinely available every two years. However, where medical circumstances dictate, replacement lenses are available, as required.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible to supply the information sought by the Deputy in the time allowed. My Department will arrange for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: It is not possible in the time allowed to compile all of the information requested by the Deputy. The information is being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.