Results 9,821-9,840 of 11,271 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: In fact, it would make it more confusing in terms of the definition of "householders". Someone might provide clarification because it is not defined in any section of the Bill. Should we now set out a definition of "householders" if we want to proceed with the amendment? On the contribution individuals are making to local government, there is a lack of knowledge of the contribution...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for being here. It is important for people to be constructive in this debate. In addition, those contributing should not be interrupted, as that is unhelpful. I welcome this section but do not agree with the amendment. Can someone give me a legal definition of "householder"? Does it have to be an owner, a tenant or just an occupier?...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I join colleagues in wishing everyone a happy Christmas, including the staff, the Cathaoirleach and all Members. Regarding 2015, I hope we will not have to go through the process of an election until 2016. One of the issues that has come home to me in the debate on the water charges is the lack of information out there on the cost of running services in Ireland as evidenced in emails to me...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Prevention and Treatment of Lyme Disease: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: My apologies for not being present for the presentations, but I had to attend in the Seanad for votes. However, the delegates have given good responses to the questions put to them thus far. I would like to follow on from an issue highlighted by Deputy Billy Kelleher. There appears to be a huge difference of opinion on the diagnoses people are receiving from laboratories in Germany and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Given the total amount of cosmetic surgery done in Ireland, have we any idea of the number travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery? Are we coming across problems where persons have gone abroad for cosmetic surgery, come back into the system here and it has had to pick up on mistakes made?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Is it happening, where patients are coming back into the service here after mistakes being made elsewhere?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Is Ms Eadie happy that the legislation on insurance that is going through will make some changes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Will the penalties for somebody not having insurance be adequate? Has this been considered? There is no point in bringing forward legislation if somebody can ignore it and continue to provide a service without adequate insurance. What does the standard insurance provided to GP practices cover? Does it cover cosmetic surgery and scanning? The public needs to know. The standard GP has a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Under new legislation, they will have to have insurance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery: Discussion (18 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the delegations for their presentations. In August 2013, when drafting legislation requiring that it be compulsory that all medical practitioners have insurance, I met the secretary of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons. Some of the stories the secretary told me were quite frightening, including how the association regularly has to pick up the pieces when people come to its...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Law Reform Commission Recommendations (17 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister. It is, in fairness, a very comprehensive reply, but I think it is important when the Law Reform Commission produces a report that we take on board the recommendations. This is going back to December 2011 which is three years ago at this stage. Part of that was the legislative process. Everyone is well aware of the need for long-term planning. We are going to go from...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Law Reform Commission Recommendations (17 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House. My question concerns the Law Reform Commission report of December 2011, which set out recommendations on the legal aspects of professional home care. This followed a report in 2010 in the media that people providing professional home care were monitored. In a similar manner to what happened in Áras Attracta, we saw people who were paid to provide...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (17 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I will follow Senator Crown's comments, although not on the same issue. I know of a case where a specific procedure can only be done in a hospital and GPs are not allowed do it. This is specifically when people have very high iron levels in blood and blood must be taken once every three months. My understanding is that insurance companies would pay out approximately €300 every time...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (17 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: While I agree with my colleagues on the principle, it is a case of over-regulation through legislation at this stage. There is the argument that people who smoke make a contribution through a level of taxation on cigarettes. There are a huge number of programmes in place which are doing everything possible to encourage people to move away from smoking. I do not think that the insertion of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Áras Attracta: HSE (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: It is important at the end of this meeting that we acknowledge the huge commitment made by nursing staff and people in the health care sector. It is important also that we identify the problems that are there and ensure they are weeded out but we must acknowledge the vast majority of people in the health care sector are extremely dedicated, committed and provide a very good service across...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Áras Attracta: HSE (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: I apologise for not being here for the opening statement, which I have read, however. I had to launch a document on mental health, which is the reason I stepped out of the committee. I had given a commitment. On nursing homes, there is a perception currently that HIQA only inspects by giving notice. In fairness, HIQA also carries out inspections without giving notice at a large number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Review of National Ambulance Service: Health Service Executive (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Will a commitment be given that those at senior managerial level will meet with those on the ground? That is the complaint I have received and not doing so will case problems further down the road.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Review of National Ambulance Service: Health Service Executive (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: It is not with grade 6 staff. That is the whole problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Review of National Ambulance Service: Health Service Executive (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: On the question of communication in regard to grade 6 staff, their complaint in the southern region is that there is no one in charge. The person in charge, based in Dublin, is not communicating with them. This is why I am asking why there cannot be a meeting between all the grade 6 personnel within the ambulance service? Rather than hearing a report from HIQA, it could be heard directly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Review of National Ambulance Service: Health Service Executive (16 Dec 2014)

Colm Burke: Yes, but the managers were not met.