Results 11,141-11,160 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill (2011): Report and Final Stages (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank Senators Leyden and Gilroy for highlighting this matter, as well as the Minister of State for responding in a positive way and dealing with it immediately. I also thank the staff for dealing with this matter in the appropriate way.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill (2011): Report and Final Stages (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for introducing this important legislation. There are over 90,000 registered nurses, of whom 67,000 are actively working. It is important to highlight the issue of maternity care. While there is much focus on the level of litigation in this area, it must be borne in mind that the number of deliveries in hospitals has increased from 55,000 a...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Leyden on this matter. As a member of the legal profession, I do not agree with the amendment. A big issue can arise if one has a home delivery but it does not work out, unfortunately, and one is admitted to hospital. The hospital will have insurance cover, but the midwife might not have cover. If litigation ensues in such circumstances, there will be a big legal...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: The current title is put into the Bill in order that if there are any amendments in the future any amending legislation - I am open to correction - will incorporate the amendment. The current title is the appropriate wording that should be included. These are technical amendments and should be approved.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: In order to obtain clarification on this issue, it would be helpful to adjourn for five minutes.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: While I support the principle of Senator Barrett's amendment, I suggest it should be reviewed at some stage in the future, not necessarily in this House. I think there should be consideration of the age of retirement of judges. I understand that judges are sitting beyond the age of 65 although I am open to correction in that matter.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I ask why should a different set of rules apply when important decisions are being taken on a daily basis in the courts. I suggest there should be an overall review of the age of retirement although not necessarily in this legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: On the matter raised by Senator Norris, I understand the committee which will scrutinise the appointment to the Court of Auditors does not include any Irish MEPs. However, MEPs who are not official members may attend the meeting and raise questions. I also understand eight nominations will come before the committee in question today, of which six will be approved and two referred for...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I join with my colleagues in wishing to raise the Fr. Reynolds matter. I pay tribute to the solicitors who acted for him. People are open in their criticism of the legal profession, but this was a case where the legal profession stood by their client in spite of the fact that it was up against a major player in the Irish media. The solicitor took on the media and came through with the...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving of her time this morning. I read an article by Gordon Brown in one of the newspapers recently not only about trade between Ireland and countries outside Europe but also about Europe's role. The figures he produced showed that less than 7.5% of all exports from Europe went to the countries that accounted for 70% of the global growth rate this year. Only 2% of...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: From the Irish point of view, there is a need for joined-up thinking at European level, whereby Europe would be more proactive in ensuring we gain a bigger slice of the world market. Some years ago it accounted for 40% of the world market but now it dominates only 20%. Has there been any discussion at European level about gaining access to these markets?

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for giving us time to deal with the matter. There were very constructive contributions from everybody and the Minister of State has a good grasp of the issue. The amendments-----

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I second the motion and thank my colleague for taking the initiative at a Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to research and draft the proposals contained therein. I was a member of Cork City Council for 12 years. I represented an area around UCC where huge changes have occurred in alcohol consumption patterns over that period. Whereas pubs were previously a common social outlet for young...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I support the call for a debate on jobs. There is a need to discuss the various issues. Senator Cullinane raised the issue of jobs. It was interesting to read in the newspapers this morning about the difficulties in the other part of this island with job creation. Perhaps he might outline some of the ideas being used in Northern Ireland, where his party is part of the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: In the island of Ireland-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: -----many of the issues are the same. Perhaps the Senators will let us know some of the ideas they are using in Northern Ireland. The newspapers this morning seem to indicate that there are difficulties in that part of the island as well. It is important that we are constructive and if there are ideas we can adopt from that part of the island, we are open to accepting them. It is also...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: We have no difficulty with Senator Cullinane and his party giving us a detailed written submission on their proposals. I am sure the Minister for Finance will take on board all proposals furnished-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: -----but we will arrive decisions which are in the best interests of this country. I refer to the role of the VHI in the private health care sector. The company has taken a decision not to cover patients who wish to avail of services at a brand new hospital in Cork. The hospital cost €75 million to build. It is fully equipped with MRI scanners, four new operating theatres and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise the issue of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. There is a vote in the European Parliament next week about this funding. Nearly 6,000 Irish construction workers are entitled to benefit from this, and we have a time limit of seven months in which to make sure all the paperwork is in order and draw down the funding. The total fund will be €55 million and it is for...

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: My involvement in the voluntary sector is based on my legal background and my chairmanship of a community association which employed more than 30 people under a community employment scheme, which worked effectively. Many of the people involved in that scheme had gotten into the rut of being unemployed and found participation in it extremely helpful in terms of assisting them to get back into...