Results 11,221-11,240 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for the efforts he is making to deal with this difficult problem. A number of months ago, I was asked to speak at the historical society of UCC. The society was having a debate on comparisons between the recession of the 1980s and the current recession. I spoke from my perspective as someone who comes from a legal practice. I...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (13 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome this Bill. I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. I thank them for bringing this Bill forward. When the law is changed, it is important that the equivalent change in the taxation area is also made. I have to take account of what Senator Zappone has said. The Minister should take it on board. I will give an example of how far we have come. In 1980, which was...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with my colleagues on the visit yesterday by the President of the European Parliament. It was interesting. My colleague raised the issue of reform. The President referred to the number of submissions received on draft legislation being passed at European level. I understand that 337 submissions were made by different states, none of which were made by either House in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise the matter of a report on the use of legal highs published by the EU yesterday. Those in the 15 to 24 age group in our population are highest users of legal highs, with 16% of that age group having admitted in surveys to using them. This issue was dealt with last year, but it has not gone way. This problem will remain with us. Once one drug is made illegal, a new...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for returning so quickly to the House to deal with this Bill. The issue I wish to raise is the photographs we have seen. One of them included the number of the quit line. Research has shown that where countries include the quit line number on every packet of cigarettes, the number of calls to the quit line number increased dramatically in the first 12 months...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: This Bill is welcome. We have a problem in this country. The current smoking rate is approximately 29%. Although we were not talking about smoking this morning, I mentioned an EU study that was published yesterday which reported that 16% of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 have used substances that are available on the market to give them illegal highs and that 32% of young...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, for coming to the House so quickly. I also thank her officials in the Department of Health and the officials in the Office of the Attorney General. When advice of this nature is provided, it is extremely important that it be acted on in an expeditious manner. That has certainly happened in this case. I compliment everyone involved. I wish...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I have a question on section 50A(1)(b), as inserted by section 8 of this Bill, which refers to "the relevant criteria specified in rules made under section 11 relating to the registration of medical practitioners in the Supervised Division". I presume that is section 11 of the 2007 Act. I presume the Medical Council sets the rules but is it answerable to the Minister? In 2009, Dr. Mick...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: With regard to section 9, I am concerned that it appears-----

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: It ties in with the section 8.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: If someone drops out of a designated post, my understanding is that section 9 will prevent him or her from returning. Sections 52(4) and 52(5) of the Act specifically provide for allowing a person to return. Perhaps I am interpreting this incorrectly but I seek clarification.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I am satisfied with the Minister of State's answer to the question I asked previously. I wanted to know whether a person could stay in a specialist area but transfer to a different hospital if he or she was no longer able to continue working in the first hospital. I am still concerned about the impact of section 9 on the ability of a person who has sat an exam for a particular specialist...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill, as it addresses the issue of medical staffing, a critical issue in the health service. I regret the fact, however, that the Bill is being expedited through the House. This is not the optimum state of affairs. However, considering the time issue involved it is, unfortunately, necessary. Despite this, I hope we will scrutinise the...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for bringing forward the Bill at such an early opportunity. One often believes that the position with regard to regulation is adequate and that there is already legislation in place to allow Ministers to regulate in respect of particular matters. There was a case a number of years ago where regulation was in place but where there was a lack of...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (7 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I refer to the issue of timescale, which the Minister mentioned. However, I keep raising this issue in the context of different applications to Departments. The Garda must bring District Court proceedings within a specific time period. There is a need to set down a timeframe for many applications to various Departments where consent is required. Will the Minister examine this?

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for setting time aside to deal with this matter. I also thank Senator Leyden for introducing the Bill. I agree with what the Minister said. If I was asked to write a speech for her it would match what she said word for word. As someone who has been in legal practice for over 25 years I am well aware of the difficulties that can arise when...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: That is what happens when one is in legal practice for 25 years. These concerns need to be examined. The Bill, as drafted, is not the solution but it highlights the need for people to make wills. As Senator David Cullinane emphasised, with more young families it is important guardianship and other legal effects are planned for in the event of a premature death. I agree with the Minister's...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I am aware the Minister of State has just come from a meeting where this issue was being discussed. I apologise, but I understood the Adjournment would be a little later. This issue concerns property that was built with planning permission under the planning Acts which must comply with Part V. In order to comply with Part V, the agreement is that the developer must provide a separate piece...