Results 881-900 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: Some 15 minutes for this fellow.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: The implementation of the Health (Country of Origin Of Beef) Regulations 2006 (SI 307 of 2006) is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). My Department is in touch with officials of the FSAI on an ongoing basis and regular meetings are held to discuss a wide range of issues — including the enforcement of food legislation where this is necessary.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: This proposal relates to the codification of Commission Directive 95/6/EC on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children and its eleven subsequent amendments. As the codification involves no change to current provisions, Ireland voted in favour of it at the meeting in question.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: The implementation of the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 307 of 2006) is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). I am advised that the number of inspectors and level of inspection required to implement these regulations is sufficient.

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: From 1st January 2007 there are no longer three separate rates for subvention. Persons who apply may receive any amount up to a maximum of €300 per week. The payment of subvention is subject to means-testing. The HSE has recently finalised National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. Under the guidelines, the assessment of means will now be...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I reiterate the Government's approach to enhancing the rights of same-sex couples and cohabitants in general. The Government wants to deliver a framework in which non-married couples, including gay couples, can live in a supportive and a secure legal environment. The Labour Party's Civil Unions Bill 2006 only partly addresses this issue. However, I pay tribute to the Labour Party,...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: The manner in which the Bill is drafted makes it unlikely to withstand a constitutional challenge.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: The advice made available to the Government is that a law which equates non-marital relationships to marriage for all purposes could not survive a constitutional challenge.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: The Bill does not represent a suitable means of legislating for the registration and recognition of civil unions.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: There is not much separating what the Labour Party is trying to do and what I would like to see. I commend it on the efforts it has made.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I will, but for good reasons. My record shows that I am as supportive of what Deputy Howlin is trying to do as any of the Deputies sitting behind him.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I will. I am not an expert in any area, certainly not in the legal area. It would be foolish of me not to accept the Attorney General's advice.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: It would be prudent to await the Supreme Court's determination on an appeal pending in a case relating to the recognition by the State of a same-sex marriage contracted in a foreign jurisdiction. This legislation is premature in view of the appeal to the Supreme Court. Section 5 of the Bill which provides for legal recognition in the State of foreign same-sex marriages and civil...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I was the only backbencher from my party who spoke in support of what she was introducing.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I know how uncomfortable many members of my party were when the measure was being considered. I am very supportive of what the Labour Party is trying to do. Given that Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred to the comments made yesterday by the President of Poland, it would not be correct if I did not comment on them. It was not fitting, in the modern world in which we live, for a president to...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: While the view of those of us on this side of the House is that the Second Reading of this Bill should be postponed for six months, we are very supportive of the spirit of the Bill. The Tánaiste suggested during Private Members' Business last night that such a postponement would allow a more comprehensive approach to the question of civil partnerships to be adopted. Those who doubt the...

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I thank all the Senators for contributing to the debate. The Minister outlined the type of reform that is taking place and how she and the Government see our health service developing in the coming years and the investment we have made. Change does not happen overnight or without creating certain difficulties. I remember attending a conference where a speaker said that there were two...

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: I will provide the Senator with that information. The 1,100 home care packages that were provided kept people out of hospitals and nursing homes. In some cases the provision of a small amount of additional help allowed people to live at home. In other cases, people were enabled to leave hospital earlier than would have been the case, secure in the knowledge that the necessary level of care...

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Seán Power: That is the total number. As I stated, 1,100 places were provided in 2005, a further 3,100 places were provided last year and an additional 2,000 places will be provided this year. Reference was made to the subvention scheme. A number of changes have been made in this regard. The relevant legislation was discussed in the House last week. Some people have been critical about the fact the...