Results 10,881-10,900 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Vetting (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree with my colleague, Senator Gilroy. Courts have given interpretations to the words "conduct" and "practice". They have two different interpretations. The Minister's amendment is being put forward because we have interpretations. The reason this amendment is being tabled is to ensure there is no misinterpretation in court proceedings at a future date or in any kind of hearing in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Vetting (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: The proposal is that the words "such opinion being corroborated by independent written medical advice," be inserted. I am a little concerned as the proposal does not make any provision, for example, if a person refuses to turn up to get independent medical advice. The legislation would not provide for any requirement for the person to turn up and the Minister could therefore be caught in a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Vetting (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I support what Senator Gilroy said. The amendment is well intentioned As explained earlier by Senator Gilroy and the Minister, we are setting up a transitionary structure and to go through the process of advertising every position that will have to be filled would take too long and would slow down the whole process. When an entity is being restructured, the Minister has to have a fair...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Tá.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: My apologies.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Tá.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: My apologies.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I support what Senator Gilroy said. The amendment is well intentioned As explained earlier by Senator Gilroy and the Minister, we are setting up a transitionary structure and to go through the process of advertising every position that will have to be filled would take too long and would slow down the whole process. When an entity is being restructured, the Minister has to have a fair...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: The proposal is that the words "such opinion being corroborated by independent written medical advice," be inserted. I am a little concerned as the proposal does not make any provision, for example, if a person refuses to turn up to get independent medical advice. The legislation would not provide for any requirement for the person to turn up and the Minister could therefore be caught in a...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree with my colleague, Senator Gilroy. Courts have given interpretations to the words "conduct" and "practice". They have two different interpretations. The Minister's amendment is being put forward because we have interpretations. The reason this amendment is being tabled is to ensure there is no misinterpretation in court proceedings at a future date or in any kind of hearing in...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: My concern is where the HSE employs a company, which may be tax resident in Ireland. Does the amendment confuse the matter where the worker, while employed by the company, may not be resident for tax purposes in Ireland? It could cause complications.

Seanad: National Dementia Strategy: Motion (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. While listening to this debate it occurred to me that approximately one third of all debates in the House are directly related to health care. This emphasises the importance of the issue and I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this extremely important motion. It is an area on which we need to focus and bring about the necessary...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House to deal with this important reforming Bill. I thank my colleagues for the very constructive manner in which they have dealt with this debate and for their amendment. I have a problem with the amendment in that the inclusion of dates and deadlines can sometimes delay action because those concerned may feel they do not need to move until the date specified.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Discretion should be left with the Minister. With regard to the issue of reform, we are dealing with the largest employer in the country. Over 100,000 people are employed. Making the required changes will take time and will not occur overnight. Many of the changes need to be expedited. The Minister needs discretion in dealing with this reform. The Bill, as drafted, gives him that...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Following the comments of Senator Thomas Byrne on the children's hospital, yesterday I raised the point that we must consider this in respect of the coming 20 years and long-term planning. It is important the decision is reached on that basis rather than on current requirements. There has been too much delay going back over ten or 15 years and the wrong decision was made because we did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: It is important that once the decision is taken, every step is put in place immediately to expedite the planning process and the development and completion of the project. It is important that the Minister comes to the House at the earliest date once a decision is taken to set out how his Department proposes to deal with expediting the construction and development of the project because it...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Norris. I do not think it is an abuse of position for a photograph to be taken of Oireachtas Members in support of this referendum. All Oireachtas Members should be showing leadership on this very important issue. It affects a very small number of people but we are trying to effect an important change to the Constitution and it is important the maximum number of people...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Home care is an extremely important issue, one where there is need for long-term planning. That has been lacking in health care throughout the past 15 years. Let us take nursing homes, for example. Under the former Taoiseach's jurisdiction there was a massive failure and as a result ¤485 million had to be refunded to people. It is a pity that sum is not available now because it would pay...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: Home care is an extremely important issue, one where there is need for long-term planning. That has been lacking in health care throughout the past 15 years. Let us take nursing homes, for example. Under the former Taoiseach's jurisdiction there was a massive failure and as a result ¤485 million had to be refunded to people. It is a pity that sum is not available now because it would pay...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Issues: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (18 Oct 2012)

Colm Burke: I concur with Senator van Turnhout that people are seeking information. As someone who has engaged in door-to-door canvassing on the referendum, I note that people welcome calls to their doors but also want further information. In addition to public meetings, all of the political parties must become involved in campaigning on the referendum. While I accept the issue of children falling...