Results 7,321-7,340 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When Fine Gael and Labour agree on this matter I will be back to discuss it.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Let us see them.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: While it is most likely that the carbon legislation will precede the forestry legislation, both Bills are scheduled for introduction next year.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is intended to introduce the health Bill early in the next session and to give it priority.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The heads of the Bill were approved by the Government in July 2006. While it is at drafting stage at present, I am not in a position to indicate exactly when it will be published. However, an on-line consultation process is under way in conjunction with the drafting of the Bill along the approved lines.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the legislation in question will be published early in the new year. Moreover, it will deal with the issue of the protection of victims and will deal with issues such as grooming of potential victims.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Deenihan is correct. Legislation has been promised to give effect to the recommendations of the Dalton report and it is scheduled for publication in 2007.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is appropriate to have a Noise Bill before the House today. However, entertainment is provided without legislation in this House.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is obvious the Deputy got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Investment in our health services has risen to more than €12.75 billion in 2006. Ireland's public spending on health has grown at one of the highest rates in the OECD in recent years. Irish spending on health has gone from 15% below the OECD average in 1997, when the Deputies opposite were in power, to 17% above the OECD average in 2003. This is notwithstanding the fact that Ireland has...

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The number of approved consultant posts has increased by 720 or 56% in the period since the Deputy was in office and today. It should be noted that this Government has provided the health service with record resources.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: This Government also introduced the National Treatment Purchase Fund which has been an outstanding success. People may criticise one area of the health service or another but the record shows that Ireland as a society has gone from a situation which in 1997, when Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left were in office, spent 15% below the OECD average on health, to the point where we now...

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: —— to improving our health system. We have introduced the medical card for people over the age of 70 years and we have also introduced——

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——GP visit cards and 200,000 extra GP visit cards are now available.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: All the recent accident and emergency figures show conclusively that there are improvements right across the service on a daily basis. The health service is rapidly becoming one of the most effective health services in the European Union.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand a complaint was recently made to the Ceann Comhairle that I gave out about people asking questions and then trying to shout me down. It happens constantly in this House. Deputy Stagg and others are practitioners of the business of asking a question and then shouting the respondent down.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret such tactics.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It demeans the Irish Parliament. I think the Opposition is making a collective disgrace of itself and if it does not want to hear the answers I will not go any further.

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy seems to be engaging in amateur theatricals. He has come into this House——

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The shouting has started again. That is the end of it.