Results 11,181-11,200 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: I had the privilege of visiting the Johnson & Johnson plant in Ringaskiddy on Monday. This week is known as national corporate responsibility week, and 65 of the largest companies in Ireland are involved in helping students in certain schools to remain in education. It is a very important process for both the companies and the students. The programme has assisted more than 18,000 students...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: I would like to refer to a matter that I raised at this morning's meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. At last Thursday's meeting of the joint committee, two groups in attendance were asked specific questions about the fact that a number of junior doctors are staying in guesthouses as they wait for an examination date to be set. It was disclosed to the committee on...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: Can I reassure the other side that the Minister for Health is working extremely hard for the people in this country?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: He is trying to dismantle a chaotic health service-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: -----that was left disorganised over a number of years. While I may have disagreements with the Minister, I assure the other side that he is working hard to ensure that we have an efficient-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: -----and caring health service. If our presidential candidate is a bad candidate, I do not understand how he was elected in the 14 elections he contested. If that is the definition of a bad candidate, I do not understand where the Opposition is coming from. Absenteeism in the HSE and in the health service generally was raised previously. It is very easy to criticise people working in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: We need to examine this issue and it will be one of the issues on the agenda when the Minister comes to this Chamber on 27 October. An absenteeism rate of 1% in the health service costs €50 million per year. The average for 2010 was over 5%, so it cost over €250 million. The issue must be carefully watched and we must see how we can put in place better structures to deal with it.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: On a more positive note, I compliment RTE on producing a programme called "Secret Millionaire". It is not about people involved in the property market, but about a man from Galway who came to the inner city in Cork and looked at voluntary organisations.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Colm Burke: My question is about highlighting the role of voluntary organisations and the work they do. I was delighted to see one of the people I had given an award to when I was Lord Mayor of Cork, Bob Seward, was the recipient of €30,000 from the millionaire last night. The programme showed how people can make a contribution. It also highlighted the importance of continuing to give such support...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I recognise that people are growing bored at the issue of our health services but I raise it none the less because it is important. It is embarrassing for the country that the Pakistani Embassy had to contact the HSE to find out how we intend to deal with junior doctors whom we invited to take up jobs in our health service and who are twiddling their thumbs in guesthouses. The Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: Allow me to make my point. When I was interviewed on radio last week, the HSE issued a statement asserting I did not know what I was talking about and denying that junior doctors in a particular part of the country were waiting to sit exams. This morning I intend to issue an invitation to the press office in the HSE to meet these junior doctors and see that they are living in guesthouses in...

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the debate on this motion. When job losses such as those in Waterford are suffered in any area, it hits the area hard. With the loss of these jobs following the major job losses at Waterford Crystal the blow is that much harder and it is more difficult for people in the area to cope with the loss. It is important that we...

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: If it was released at 4 p.m., I just missed it. However, it is important for the area that we secure that type of upgrade in our access to international connectivity to bring it up to tier 1 and to make it more cost effective for companies located in Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. There would be a huge benefit not just for the Cork region but for the entire west coast. I presume it...

Seanad: Address by President of the Irish Human Rights Commission (28 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome Dr. Manning and thank him for his contribution. Moreover, I welcome all the organisations represented today. They have made a very valuable contribution during the years and long may this continue. In my previous role in the European Parliament I had the privilege of serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as its Subcommittee on Human Rights for two years. It was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise an issue first raised by my colleague from the Cork North-Central constituency, Deputy Dara Murphy, which concerns the Hibernian Express cable that is being laid between the UK and the US. There is an opportunity for a connection to be made into Cork which could service not only that county but Kerry, Limerick, Galway and all of the west coast. It is a great opportunity to...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I will be brief as all the issues I had hoped to raise were raised by the Acting Chairman, Senator Catherine Noone, and my colleagues, Senators Pat O'Neill and Imelda Henry. I am concerned about a technical aspect of the Bill, that is, the taking of a blood sample in the hospital. I understand that if a sample is taken in a Garda station, a sample is also given to the accused party. The...

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I again welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome this legislation. Previous speakers have already covered many of the issues I wanted to raise. Earlier today, I referred to the independence of the Judiciary. In my experience over the years, I have found that at all times judges have ensured a clear line is drawn as regards their independence and how they arrive at their...

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome Senator Crown's initiative in drafting this Bill. It was not drafted overnight and much effort was put into it. I thank him for doing that. I pay tribute to any Member of the House who makes the effort to bring forward a draft Bill. Unfortunately, however, I cannot agree with the proposal for a number of reasons. One reason is that section 6 of the Prosecution of Offences Act...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise an issue with regard to health. I remind Senators that we inherited a dysfunctional health service from the previous Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Colm Burke: We should not forget-----