Results 8,321-8,340 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: There were many improvements.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: Many improvements were made and the Minister railed against some of them with regard to cancer reorganisation. I hear some of the Minister's party speak laudably about the cancer treatment services available throughout the country, and they are right to laud them, but many members of the Minister's party opposed the changes when they were made.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: The Minister is selective.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I could give him figures also.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: People cannot get on the waiting list now because they cannot get an assessment done.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: The Minister should speak to the people waiting for an orthopaedic assessment in the north east.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: We table parliamentary questions but we do not receive answers. People are not even called for an assessment.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: It is hard to get on a waiting list if one is not even called to be assessed.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I will not take the figures the Minister selectively quoted. We can all select statistics from a particular day or month to suit the argument we are putting forward.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: The Minister quoted figures from January and February 2011 when there was a huge number of admissions to hospitals because people were afflicted with injuries due to the climate conditions and harsh weather. This could apply in any particular year and it can be cyclical. Last week the Minister was in Cavan. He saw the improvements that have been brought about at Cavan General Hospital on...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Jim Daly referred to the establishment of hospital trusts. I am amazed in regard to the specific trust concerning the Cavan-Monaghan hospital group that we are not linked with the Mater hospital. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, knows as a medical doctor and a politician that there is a huge affinity, working relationship and pattern of Cavan people accessing tertiary health services at...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: No.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: It is not a named Minister and unfortunately he or she did not refer to Deputy Reilly by his proper ministerial title either. I do not like that.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I did not say they were not. There are parliamentary procedures which are quite common to parliaments throughout the world.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: The Minister's White Paper falls a long way short of the programme for Government commitment which stated that a White Paper on financing universal health insurance would be published early in the Government's first term. We were told it would review cost-effective pricing and funding mechanisms for care and set out the care to be covered under UHI. We are now in the fourth year of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the resolution entitled civil society space; creating and maintaining, in law and in practice a safe and enabling environment, at the Human Rights Council of the UN; if this issue was discussed at the Human Rights Council Session in March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in relation to the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18444/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to discuss further with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive the need to establish a civic forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State or with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the Irish Language Act; the progress made in relation to this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18521/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the urgent need to provide much needed additional humanitarian aid for South Sudan was discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18445/14]