Results 11,601-11,620 of 11,632 for speaker:Colm Burke

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...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, in the case to which I referred, a lack of demand for housing is not the issue and the development is located within a mile of a large urban centre. It is not desirable to have such a development sitting idle, as is the case in other locations throughout the State. I take on board what the Minister of State said, but my concern is that...

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is extremely important that clarity is provided. As someone who served on the board of the Port of Cork for ten years and who dealt with a number of issues regarding foreshore licences, we found at times there were delays because of the procedures that were in place. It is important that applications are dealt with in a speedy fashion. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I also welcome the visit by the President of the European Parliament. I had the privilege of sitting beside him for two years in the European Parliament where, as people may not be aware, we sit in alphabetical order. As a former Prime Minister of Poland, he is very well qualified to hold the role of President. The issue I wish to raise comes under the remit of the Minister for Justice and...