Results 11,161-11,180 of 11,292 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Barrett on the matter of health insurance. I have previously referred to a particular health care provider that is prepared to reduce costs by 6% but still the VHI will not offer cover to people admitted to that care unit. I filed a complaint on the matter which is now under investigation by the Competition Authority. We are coming up to Christmas and although we are in...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: This morning the Irish Examiner published the overtime figures for registrars alone which amounted to €100 million in the past 12 months. This is a huge amount of money and raises questions about organisation in the health service. It is an appropriate issue to discuss, together with others surrounding the health budget. Over €13 billion is being paid out this year and it is the next...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: They did give cover for 50 beds in Galway for the Bons Secours Hospital.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: As this legislation covers the next 12 months, a comprehensive review will be required to ensure we do not repeat previous mistakes. The amendments proposed could be considered over the longer term but we should leave them aside for now. In regard to moneys owed to hospitals, the problems are not solely caused by medical consultants. My legal practice received a hospital bill for an...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving a comprehensive presentation on the reason for the Bill. It is important that we have in place regulations and legislation which are for the common good. It is also important there is no price increase in health insurance as people get older and may be unfortunate to have an illness. That is one of the things the Bill provides for as was also provided for in...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise an issue regarding yesterday's proceedings, although Members might not like me doing so. It reminded me very much of a chocolate manufacturer who decided to have a meeting of all the employees in the morning to have a vote on what chocolate they would manufacture during the day and after spending an hour and 20 minutes deciding what to do, he ended up with the same agenda...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: It was a huge waste of everybody's time and of taxpayers' money.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: We talk about being relevant. Let us at least try to get our house in order. One of the issues the Leader should consider-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I have no difficulty with somebody proposing an amendment to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: However, six amendments from one group was a little silly. It does not show the public that we are able to organise our affairs. I have no difficulty with taking proposals from the other side of the House. One of the things that works in Europe is that everybody has a say in what is done. Everybody has a say in the decision making process on how this country is run. The evidence for that...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: Last May I raised the issue of recruitment of junior doctors. Many of their contracts are of six months duration and are again up for review on 11 January. I understand the Health Service Executive is running into the same problem it experienced on 11 July in terms of a shortage of junior doctors. Little has been done in the past six months on the issue of young Irish doctors leaving the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: It is important to realise where we are coming from as regards this budget. We have ended up in a very difficult financial situation. Let us all be constructive about how we are going to manage this situation. The Government has presented its budget in the best way in order to ensure that we cater for those who are vulnerable. For instance, as regards the care of the elderly, an...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I refer to a report in today's edition of The Irish Times on the involvement of University College Cork in a €9 million project on wave energy. A centre in the university has been appointed to co-ordinate the programme in 28 research centres in 12 member states of the European Union. This emphasises a point I made yesterday about the importance of research and development. It would be...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: Like Senator Quinn, I wish to raise the issue of the House's role. One of my proposals was on EU legislation. Yesterday, I highlighted the fact that the Commission has published its programme for 2012 and that there are 129 proposals for debate on its schedule. There is no reason that the Seanad cannot debate some of these issues and influence the decisions being made at European level. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: The issue of access to funding for research and development should be debated in the House. Are we using all of the available opportunities to access this funding? A proposal for the sharing of information across member states is on the European Commission's agenda for 2012. There is also a proposal regarding researchers from countries outside the European Union. More than 80% of those...

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: For clarification, there is an amendment which the proposers to the motion have accepted. The amendment is of a very minor nature and I already explained it at the beginning.

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That'" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann: — recognises that the delivery of an effective health awareness and physical fitness programme in both primary and secondary schools is essential for the overall wellbeing of children; — notes that while there is a new physical education curriculum in place at primary school level...

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...