Results 10,221-10,240 of 12,035 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Colm Burke: We need specific figures and I am entitled to them.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Colm Burke: Today, 1 December, is World AIDS Day. It is important that we highlight the issue of AIDS. The average number of people to contract AIDS annually in this country is 350. To date in 2015, however, there seems to have been an increase. One factor is that there are better tests available and more people are aware of the syndrome. The population, especially young people, needs to be aware of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Work Programme 2016: European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I am delighted to see the Commissioner and Mr. Keary before the committee. I was involved in training the Commissioner when he was in UCC, and Mr. Keary worked as one of my research assistants when I was at the European Parliament. I am delighted to see both of them doing so well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Work Programme 2016: European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: In fairness, I trained him them well. The programme includes an initiative on a new start for working parents. It relates to parents who are self-employed. Our system does not appear to assist people who are self-employed, including in the case of maternity benefit. This needs to be examined throughout Europe. For example, if a woman has a baby before 1 April, she is entitled to claim...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his statement. I remind my opponent that the health budget in 1997 was €3 billion. By 2007, it was €15 billion but there was not a five fold increase in the services available. There was very little change in that ten-year time period. Since we have come into office and over the past few months in particular, the waiting...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: My understanding is the Minister has prior commitments and, unfortunately, cannot stay longer than the time allocated. I do not think we can extend the time at this stage. I am sorry and I would like to accommodate my colleagues but the Minister has a prior commitment.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: In fairness, the Minister needs an opportunity to reply. I would have no problem with the speakers having something like three minutes. That would allow time the Minister to reply. In fairness, the Minister needs five minutes to reply.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I propose that we extend the debate to 6 p.m. but the Minister should be allowed five minutes to reply.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations and for the work they are doing. I wish to raise the issue of enduring power of attorney, which I have raised previously. I do not think we have done enough in setting out its advantages. As a practising solicitor, I find I am being asked to complete enduring power of attorney forms when there is a question mark as to whether the person is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I apologise for not being here for the presentation, but I read the documentation furnished to us. On the issue of reviewing incidents in which something goes wrong in a hospital, I mentioned earlier today a case in which it was decided within the hospital that there should be a review and two people were to do the review, but it was then decided that there should be an external review, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I will conclude on this point. I refer to delays in the holding of inquests. I know it is outside the control of the HSE. In fairness, the vast majority of coroners are extremely efficient and good. In some parts of the country, there are substantial delays in the holding of inquests by coroners. It is not because of a lack of information from the HSE. There is no statutory requirement...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: The Life Centre in Cork was set up by the Christian Brothers a number of years ago and deals with young people who have dropped out of school. Some of these children are as young as ten years of age. At present, there are 45 children in the facility and more than 60 people work on a voluntary basis. These volunteers are either retired teachers, those who are studying for their higher...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for that response. This is the first time I have seen the figure of €129,000. The Minister of State is correct in saying that 925 hours are allocated by the ETB but the problem with 925 hours is that it only equates to 1.5 teachers for the year for 45 students who have dropped out of school. These children have not fitted into the existing education...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his remarks. I ask him to relay to the Department of Education and Skills the suggestion that it gives the centre some funding on a pilot project basis. The Life Centre and others centres in the country were set up on a pilot basis to determine the best way to deal with children who have dropped out of the mainstream system.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: Senators have mentioned locating fast food outlets near schools. The issue I wish to raise is locating vending machines in hospitals. Somebody recently sent me a photograph of a vending machine containing chocolate, crisps and so forth located within ten yards of a children's unit in a hospital. If we are serious about health issues, then let us at least resolve this one as it affects...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: What about transparency in Sinn Féin?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I would welcome a debate on the health issue. I agree there are difficulties that need to be resolved but there are many positive things happening. For example, in 2014 there were more than 3.2 million outpatient appointments where day care procedures were carried out or involving outpatient attendances with medical personnel. The free GP care scheme for those under the age of six has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Assistance Dogs in Ireland: Discussion (19 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and all the work they are doing. It might be helpful if we could get some idea of the total number of dogs, ranging from assistance dogs to dogs for the blind. What kind of numbers are we talking about? If we wanted to meet all of the targets, what numbers would we need to train every year from now on in respect of dogs for the blind and...