Results 11,061-11,080 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Local Authority Housing (6 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise on the Adjournment the issue of elderly people who want to downsize their living accommodation as their house is too large, now their families have grown up and left. We had a programme in place that allowed local authorities to purchase those houses and provide alternative accommodation to them. I have come across a few cases recently where people were advised that this...

Seanad: Local Authority Housing (6 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. An opportunity is lost by not having a comprehensive policy in place. The housing market has been at a standstill for the past four years and there are many elderly people who wish to make the move and want the security. I ask the Department to examine the issue and put in place a comprehensive policy. The Minister of State will recall the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: To follow up on what Senator O'Donovan said about the west Cork case, it is important to acknowledge that it was the Attorney General and the Minister for Justice and Equality who released the papers to the solicitors for the person whom the French authorities were attempting to extradite. It was an important decision and, in fairness to everybody, it was important that this information was...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: In dealing with this issue it is important that people approach it in a balanced way. I worked in Brussels for two years and one of the things I learned was that people from the various member states had respect for parliamentarians or officials from other countries. It is unfortunate, therefore, that this matter has again arisen in respect of Germany. It is not a welcome development. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Colm Burke: We need to approach the matter in an extremely delicate way. I wish to comment on the need to be positive. Today some people from Northern Ireland are visiting the Oireachtas to discuss matters relating to health. That is a welcome development. This is a matter on which a great deal of progress has been made. Yesterday was International Rare Disease Day. The authorities both here and in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: It is important that we have a constructive debate on this matter. During the referendum on the Lisbon treaty a leaflet was distributed to every household on the north side of Cork city claiming that a "Yes" vote would lead to legalised abortion and prostitution, the imposition of conscription and a European insistence on no more than one child per family. The media have an important role...

Seanad: Local Authority Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for returning to the House. He is here almost on a weekly basis at this stage. This matter relates to accountability and the giving of information to the public, particularly as it applies to local authorities. I have raised the issue directly with the Minister and on the Order of Business. We can consider the websites of those people working...

Seanad: Local Authority Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. While I acknowledge that some progress has been made in the past 12 months and local authorities have websites in place, they still appear to be reluctant to identify officials and their responsibilities. Progress is required in this area. As I have noted on a number of occasions, I contacted the Revenue Commissioners when I...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I remind the House that a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children will visit the centralised processing centre on Friday. As part of the delegation, I am hopeful that some of the issues that were raised in this House will be raised at that meeting and that we will get a resolution. I agree with my colleagues that it is a problem that has been going on for far...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I presume Senator Mooney will support it.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I am always mesmerised by the enthusiasm of the other side for a referendum, in particular when one takes into account the position of south Kerry in the previous two referenda when Fianna Fáil could not be found. Party members did not knock on one door to explain to people what was involved in the referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: Senator Daly referred to a democratic deficit but there was very much a democratic deficit-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: -----because he did not explain to people what the referendum was about. South Kerry got one of the highest "No" votes in those two referenda; more than in any other part of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: When he talks about a democratic deficit then he should talk about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I was pleased to be in south Kerry to explain to people what was involved in the referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: An allegation was made that the Government consulted with the Attorney General during negotiations. Of course the Attorney General was involved in consultations on any matter involving a treaty at all times. It is part of the role of the Attorney General to give legal advice in any negotiations. To suggest that the role of the Attorney General was misused is a little rich.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: It is only appropriate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: Allegations were made in the House today about the Minister. They do not stand up and it is wrong that allegations are made. We are waiting for a response from the Attorney General on the referendum. That response will be available within the next two weeks and we will deal with the matter at that stage.

Seanad: Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: The Minister might be able to clarify a concern I would like to raise about section 6. This section provides that the consent of the HSE must be acquired when someone requests to move to another location. I am concerned that the absence of a right of appeal in these circumstances means judicial review is the only avenue that is open to a person who does not receive the consent of the HSE....

Seanad: Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Feb 2012)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for dealing with this, which is an important development. I always wondered why this issue was never challenged in the courts over the past ten or 15 years. This is welcome and it opens up an opportunity for young, trained people to begin a career where they can make a contribution. It is important to give recognition to the contribution medical practitioners make in...