Results 101-120 of 121 for long speaker:Chris Andrews

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Apr 2009)

Chris Andrews: ...early years education or not doing so at all. For every euro spent on early years education, a return of up to €7.10 can be expected. Investing in such education has proved effective in the long run in terms of promoting social skills, improving the life chances of children born in disadvantaged communities and reducing criminal activity. What could be a smarter investment? These...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Chris Andrews: We must get the balance right. While it might be tempting to cut spending on vital infrastructure for short-term gain, I hope the budget will take the long-term view and provide for investment in major infrastructure. Obviously, not all infrastructural projects can be delivered upon within the original timescale. We must prioritise and I believe we will do so. Caution is necessary in...

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Mar 2009)

Chris Andrews: ...should be brought back to the House for further approval. I find it amazing that she would imply that the Labour Party would approve of anything because they have opposed everything for as long as I have been a Member of the House. The Government's recapitalisation scheme will provide the stimulus to kickstart the economy once more and I commend the Bill.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Nov 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...that would change everything. In reality, public sector reform will take time. It will not happen overnight. It will be done in a constructive and meaningful manner that will see us right in the long term. I wish to comment briefly on the banks. They appear to be unable to operate in any state other than greed or fear. We need them to be able to operate in a balanced way. It is...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Nov 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...have families, the family usually does everything it can to lessen the difficulties of the older person. However, there often comes a point when there is no option but to say the family can no longer deal with the older person. I heard of the sad experience of a family, where the mother was experiencing some form of dementia. The family was concerned about her, but given the family...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...a small levy is not a significant inconvenience. I am satisfied this budget is pro-business and aims to encourage new commerce and research, which is vital to keeping the economy healthy in the long run. Measures include an increase in the research and development tax credit from 20% to 25% and the remission in capital gains tax for new companies in their first three years. The filing of...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (17 Jun 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the application for residency by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 has not been successful; the further reason it has taken so long in view of the fact that their spouse is an EU citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/08]

Lisbon Reform Treaty Report: Statements (4 Jun 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...the role of the Seanad and the Dáil in a way separate from the role of the Government. I find it difficult to understand how the likes of Deputy Finian McGrath and Senator Norris who have long been advocates of reform of the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas can advocate a "No" vote having seen this opportunity to enhance the role of the Houses. I am sure that after the referendum on...

Cancer Reports: Statements (24 Apr 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...service is the improvement of standards of patient care, an increase in survival rates and the provision of the most up-to-date treatments. We have started out on that road. Our journey will be long and difficult but, ultimately, it will be effective and results will be delivered. Early diagnosis is the key to delivering improved survival rates. When early diagnosis becomes the norm,...

Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...is the best social inclusion measure but to go beyond that we must ensure that people from disadvantaged areas build on the opportunity to take up education. Deputy Quinn mentioned that it is a long way from Ringsend and Pearse Street to college. In some ways it is further from Ringsend and Pearse Street than from Sligo or Roscommon because it is difficult to break down mindsets....

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...the HSE, met the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland last September to discuss infrastructural deficits. Therefore, we are well aware of the difficulties. There is no magic wand. There is a long way to go. The built infrastructure has serious deficits which are being addressed. We have come a long way in terms of the multidisciplinary teams that are required and we will continue to...

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...300 patients a day attend accident and emergency departments, of whom approximately one quarter require admission. Patients in the majority of the 32 accident and emergency departments do not wait long for admission but are admitted directly to beds. Obviously, a number of hospitals are causing some problems. That is more to do with a desire to be involved in politics instead of running...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Chris Andrews: ..., families, children and people with disabilities, all within the overall framework of the programme for Government, Towards 2016 and the national action plan for social inclusion, which sets out a long-term strategic vision and a road map for the future. A generous €336 million package is to be put in place to support older people. The contributory pension will increase by €14 per...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...centre, a military regional area that includes the capital, Pristina. That the Army was the first to take command of this area indicates the high regard in which Irish troops are held. They have long experience in peacekeeping missions, a fact recognised by other nations. I was proud of each Irish soldier in Kosovo, seeing how professional and efficient they are. They act as ambassadors...

Pharmacy Fees. (6 Nov 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...than the cost price of the medicines. Pharmacists have described this as a breach of their contract with the HSE. Drugs payment scheme customers will also be affected because the HSE said it no longer intends to pay pharmacies based on the cost price of medicine. The pharmacists have been more than willing to negotiate, they have come to the table with a very open mind and are willing to...

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people for the purpose of exploitation. In other words, it is modern day slavery. Many of us would have thought that slavery was long gone. Abraham Lincoln abolished it in America in 1865. Great Britain recently marked the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery this year. Unfortunately — judging from the debate...

Hospital Services. (10 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...St. Luke's site. However, this is simply not good enough. Residents, patients and doctors cannot hang in the balance without knowing their fate. They deserve assurance that this site with its long tradition of providing health care will remain in the hands of the HSE and will become a step-down facility that will continue to serve the community. If people like Kay Bradbury and the many...

Written Answers — Psychological Service: Psychological Service (10 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: Question 275: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if in view of the long delays in accessing educational psychologists in the south County Dublin area there are plans to increase the panel as a matter of urgency. [23065/07]

Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...Affairs, Deputy Michael Kitt, on his promotion. He has challenging times ahead but he has certainly set off in the right direction. I welcome this legislation, which has been in the pipeline for a long time. Much preparation and consultation has been carried out with the various stakeholders and I am delighted to see it includes many important proposals concerning the organisation of...

Proposed EU Military Operation: Motion (9 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: ...which, ultimately, overthrew the democratic government. Since that conflict I always feel a huge sense of disappointment when I see foreign troops on another country's soil. It rarely has long-term positive effects. My gut instinct is that however bad things become in a divided country, it is best to let the different sides determine their own future. However, to refuse to send...