Results 10,621-10,640 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2013: Discussion with Department of the Taoiseach (16 Apr 2013)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive report. I thank all the staff of all the Departments for the contribution they are making to try to get us out of a very difficult economic situation. My question relates to the area of research and development. We as a country are small in terms of our population and the size of our economy. Mr. Callinan referred to the average spend of EU...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: I support in principle the amendment tabled by Senator Barrett but it is a measure that requires further examination. It is not one that is suitable for incorporation in the Bill but it is certainly a good idea that is well thought out and we should examine it. We attended the launch of the healthy living campaign today. The big theme of the launch was Departments working together as...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: One of the reasons it is in there is for situations where someone does not accept any medical service that is offered to them. This is to prevent a situation where someone expects a utopia that no Department or Minister can deliver. This arises in the education and health systems where people are not happy no matter what is offered to them.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: Senator Ó Clochartaigh is entitled-----

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: He is entitled to respond to the Minister of State.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: It is not a point of order.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: This was clarified yesterday.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: We are confining ourselves to section 3 at this stage. If Senator MacSharry wants to comment on section 7, he can come back on it.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: We are dealing with section 3 and there is no amendment in that section.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: The Senator should speak to section 3.

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

Colm Burke: I was at my dentist at 8 a.m. this morning.

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

Colm Burke: I thank Mr. Hourihan for his very comprehensive presentation. I want to touch on one or two points. Was there a dental officer in the Department of Health previously? How long is it since that individual has gone? With regard to being financially innovative given the current budgetary constraints, a colleague of Mr. Hourihan’s was in contact with me recently to outline the system...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Colm Burke: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I also welcome this Bill, concerning which I will touch on a few points, one relating to family law and the in camera rule. My concern is that this needs to be handled very carefully and the reason I say this comes from my own experience. As a legal practitioner, unfortunately I had to deal with two suicides, one coming 24 hours before an...

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

Colm Burke: Put it up for judicial review.

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

Colm Burke: There are thousands of extra medical cards. Is that in the programme for Government?

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

Colm Burke: The Senator interrupted me.

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

Colm Burke: If the Senator gives me a little space, I will deal with that issue.

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

Colm Burke: Last year alone, we gave it an additional 165,000 medical cards and GP visit cards.

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

Colm Burke: Senator Cullinane is correct that the increase in the number of medical cards is a reflection of the decline in people's incomes. In the past two years, the Government has acted in a caring manner by ensuring people have an entitlement to access the services they require. Some tweaking and tidying up is needed in health care and the Bill proposes only a small change. The figures for 2012...