Results 9,161-9,180 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: Does Senator Máire Devine not want to hear the truth?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: The two parties decided to exclude Senators from the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. If we are so interested in planning the future of health care, why did Sinn Féin co-operate with Fianna Fáil in making sure no Senators would be members of the committee?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: An impression is being created that there are 100,000 people working in the health service who are all sitting around all day doing nothing. Let us be a little realistic. Staff across the board in the health service are working very hard, including nurses, doctors, consultants and management. There are defects in the system which we need to rectify, but, please, stop giving the impression...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: -----are doing nothing-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: It is a bit unfair-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: -----to the healthcare workers who are working in this system. If the Senator does not want to hear the truth, that is fine, but this is the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: There were 3.2 million attendances in outpatient clinics last year. Go and check the figures and go and see what has been done-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: -----and go to the frontline with the people working.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I am interested and intrigued by the contribution of Senator Conway Walsh on Sinn Féin's position. Sinn Féin's position on our jobs policy was that we were getting it all wrong. We have created 188,000 jobs over the past five and a half years. Unemployment has decreased from 15% to 7.1%. As a result, we now have more money coming in to provide a better health service. An extra...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: Sinn Féin proposed that we reduce consultants' salaries to less than €100,000 a year. Its members seem to have forgotten that.

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I will be brief because what I wanted to say has been said already. I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I thank him for the work he has done to date, however, I think the proposals by LAMA and the AILG must be taken on board. Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the issues that arise for councillors who are self-employed and trying to take time off work while managing a business. It is...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and giving us an explanation. It is important that the project be prioritised. My colleague referred to the fact that it was first mooted in 1993. Quite good times were experienced for 14 years under Fianna Fáil but it was interesting that very little progress was made.In fact, when progress was made the location turned out to be...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: How can the Senator say that when we have not even received the final-----

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (7 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with the matter of the Garda station in Glanmire. The building used was an RIC barracks which was burned down during the Civil War and refurbished. It is totally out of date. It has no showers, changing rooms, interview rooms or wheelchair access. In May 2010, an advertisement was placed in the newspapers looking for a suitable...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (7 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: The problem I have is that this matter was advertised in 2010. It is now 2017 and I am concerned that seven years have been lost. As I outlined, there is a growing population and a totally inapt Garda station. Could any commitment be given to prioritise the works in view the seven-year delay? I am glad to hear the position on the legal proceedings. I am surprised a process such as this...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: In view of the "Prime Time" programme broadcast last night, it is important to recognise that a great number of staff in the HSE - the vast majority - are working extremely hard and committed and dedicated to their jobs. My colleague referred to the average spend per head of population on health. We have the second highest spend in the OECD, but the question is whether we are spending the...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for bringing forward this legislation. It covers a number of areas which are important, particularly in relation to ex gratiacompensation payments under a number of schemes, such as to people who went through symphysiotomies. Over 600 people who will benefit from ex gratiapayments will not have these included in calculations under the fair deal...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Primary Care Services: Discussion (2 Feb 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. I agree with what was said in regard to support for GPs. It is fundamental that we develop this area in respect of which the cutback in funding has been substantial over the last few years. One of the concerns for me in regard to health care is the many different groups in the area in need of funding. The Irish Nurses and...