Results 841-860 of 1,253 for speaker:John Crown

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

John Crown: I thank the Minister for his continued professional and political attention to the scourge and evils of smoking. I believe he is a committed campaigner toward the goal of making Ireland a tobacco-free society. Like those of us who have been privileged to be members of our profession and other caring health professions, we do tend to get a different perspective on the reality of the evil...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

John Crown: I cannot believe that anybody at a European level would come out with this ruling. I know our Fianna Fáil colleagues have said they will support it. I believe we should make a symbolic rejection of this Bill, not for the positive public health matters, which are encouraging - and we will attempt to amend it to within an inch of its life if it gets to Committee Stage - but to send a...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

John Crown: In that case, I will conclude. Is the Minister personally satisfied with the integrity of the decision making process in the EU on this issue? I can tell him something stinks to the high heavens about this.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

John Crown: On a point of order, I believe the Senator is addicted to nicotine.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

John Crown: It is an addiction.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)

John Crown: HIQA would like to end that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I request the Leader to consider having a debate on medical and biomedical research, which is a very important sector of the economy. I spoke a little about some aspects of it yesterday. Not only does it increase the standards of science and medicine, and the standards of research, but it also improves clinical outcomes for patients and has positive and beneficial effects for the economy....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: State Dental Schemes: Discussion (28 Mar 2013)

John Crown: How does Ireland compare with the number of dentists per head of population internationally? In every medical specialty we are so ludicrously low we are off the scale. What are the UK and continental averages for dentist per head of population?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: State Dental Schemes: Discussion (28 Mar 2013)

John Crown: One will find we are the worst among OECD countries because we are for everything else in medicine. It is all down to successive Governments.

Seanad: Philantrophy and Fund-raising: Motion (27 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I welcome the motion because it is appropriate that attention be brought to bear on this sector. I also welcome the fact that the Government will pay some attention to the not-for-profit and charitable sectors, which are somewhat distinct. I speak with a little authority on this issue and wish to give the House an opportunity to understand how a small idea can grow into something which not...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

John Crown: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I speak from the perspective of having worked in the health service. The issue of drugs is deadly simple. The Government should pass a law to make it mandatory to use generic drugs unless there is a specific doctor-ordered exception to the rule, which will arise in virtually no cases. There is a bit of an argument brewing at the moment, which I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I am recording a "No" vote.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

John Crown: Anything which makes the talent pool even shallower for appointing Ministers is to be regretted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Service Executive Service Plan 2013: Discussion with HSE (7 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I welcome the guests. I also welcome Dr. Carroll and congratulate her on her new role as national clinical director of strategy and programmes. It is timely to have the delegation here. Last year a matter about the health service was brought to my attention. I apologise to Deputy Maloney if I sound like one of the politicians who is always criticising but I am.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Service Executive Service Plan 2013: Discussion with HSE (7 Mar 2013)

John Crown: As it used to be said in military circles, the HSE is a target-rich environment. The situation with respect to rehabilitation services, in particular, is appalling. The figures I have indicate that we have approximately 60% of the number of rehabilitation consultants per head of population as the United Kingdom. If it was not for Ireland, the United Kingdom would be at the bottom of every...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I thank my colleagues who have been so generous in their praise for the Bill. I thank them for sharing the credit for this legislation with Mr. Shane Conneely, Ms Aoife Casey and the rest of the team. When the Taoiseach came here some months ago for the first time and the issue of the future of the Seanad arose, I remember thinking he had the demeanour of a vegetarian butcher coming up to...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

John Crown: Not one of our arguments was addressed.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

John Crown: He went as far as to say, "I do not propose to conduct a forensic analysis." He would have been unable to do so. There was no analysis of the contents of the legislation. Not one of the charges I made was countered.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

John Crown: I am not here because I am trying to save the Seanad. I am here because I want to reform the entire process of Parliament - this is one wedge in that process - and because I want the people to have a choice when they vote in the referendum. I am pro-choice on this issue. I was very surprised to hear that many were not pro-choice on this issue. It is hard for me to escape the conclusion...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

John Crown: It very hard for me to escape the conclusion that in opposing this legislation so single-mindedly, with such tunnel vision and without allowing any discussion of alternatives, the Taoiseach is thinking of this as a pre-election promise he can actually keep. I have been asked to wait until some other Bill comes through and gently rapped on the knuckles for not collaborating with certain...