Results 12,861-12,880 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I join with Senator Whelan's call for a debate on the state of our health service. Many of us, in particular myself, have been critical of what I describe as a headless chicken approach. The Minister for Health pontificates on a regular basis about the strategic approach he is taking and promised free GP care would be rolled out by the last quarter of 2012 at the latest. We have heard much...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I wish to be associated with the comments made by Senator Conway. I wish Senator McAleese well. I wish to comment in the context of Senator Zappone's comments regarding Ms Orla Tinsley and the new drug that has been made available for sufferers of cystic fibrosis. I would welcome a debate in respect of the processes which are used to select the patients to whom certain drugs are made...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I asked the Leader last week who said he would respond. I acknowledge it is a difficult issue but it is important for the integrity of the people involved that we get a response. Why will the Deputy Leader not write to the Minister in the same way she is writing to him about the issue raised by Senator Landy?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: Why will the Deputy Leader not write to the Minister in the same way she is writing to him about the earlier issue? It is difficult but it is important to have an answer for the 76 unsuccessful applicants.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I asked the Leader last week who said he would respond. I acknowledge it is a difficult issue but it is important for the integrity of the people involved that we get a response. Why will the Deputy Leader not write to the Minister in the same way she is writing to him about the issue raised by Senator Landy?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: Why will the Deputy Leader not write to the Minister in the same way she is writing to him about the earlier issue? It is difficult but it is important to have an answer for the 76 unsuccessful applicants.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I will follow on from the request for a debate, and the concerns expressed by the Opposition Leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien, regarding the Department of Health's selection process for capital projects. I am unsettled by the suggestion that St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny and Wexford General Hospital were bumped up because of Departments trading favours and the hospitals' proximity to...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: If it is the case, the people of the north west can rightly be concerned. The Opposition Leader has directly asked the Deputy Leader and the Labour Party whether they are happy with the processes and procedures that are followed in this headless chicken approach to selecting projects for progression. Even if it does not come today, it is important that the House has an answer. Last week, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: Some 76 applicants were unsuccessful. I am sure that they are anxious to know how an activist in Labour's presidential campaign and a former press officer managed to sneak in without even having applied.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: On the surface, it would appear to be corrupt.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: There is absolutely no way in the wide earthly world that I would have any intention of withdrawing that remark because blatant corruption is what it appears to be, and I am glad to have had the opportunity to underline my point.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I join with others in offering sympathies to the Henry family and, obviously, the family of Detective Garda Donohoe - there will be much debate about that in coming days. I would ask that, while I appreciate that my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, has said that, given the seriousness of the crime perpetrated last week and the callous murder of Detective Garda Donohoe, this is not a day...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: We agree with the Order of Business. Can the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to attend the House for a debate on mental health? She has issued a statement on the matter. It is the seventh anniversary of the publication of A Vision for Change yet there is no current public plan to review the implementation of A Vision for Change. ...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I ask the Leader for a debate, as soon as possible, on the report being launched today on suicide, which highlights the fact that the incidence among young people here and in Northern Ireland is directly related to austerity measures and the recession. The two nations with the biggest increase in the incidence of suicide are Greece and Ireland, where the increase has been very substantial....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I am simply using the complaint to the European Commission to raise awareness and highlight the fact that we must have proportionate support for Ireland West Airport Knock in the interests of that region performing to its potential and making a positive contribution to the national effort.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I thank the Minister for taking the time out of his busy schedule to respond. The mistake being made in the context of the north-west region is that Ireland West Airport Knock is seen as a regional airport. If we could grasp the opportunity it presents in that region it could pay dividends for the State. I am not seeking a huge amount.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I ask the Minister to take a strategic approach and make proportionate supports available to Ireland West Airport Knock and to view it as the international airport that it is, rather than a regional airport. This can be a contributor. I do not see it as an either-or issue. I am simply saying we must do something to acknowledge the strategic importance of Ireland West Airport Knock and what...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I thank the Minister for taking the time to come into the House to deal with this issue. My Adjournment matter relates to Shannon Airport and the measures announced by the Government in the budget, as well as indications given throughout last year. My concern is that the State is unfairly promoting a policy to ensure the survival and growth of one airport potentially at the direct expense...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: The Sunday Business Post has reported that the troika will say, "Sorry, all future employees need to be paid 80% of the salary". If the State cannot afford to pay its employees, if it cannot afford to pay the people in these Houses, then so be it. The level of public sector pay across the board needs to be reduced, to come down. However, do not say to our brightest and most intelligent and...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Marc MacSharry: I agree very much with the sentiments expressed by previous speakers. A debate on sentencing is most important. When certain sentences are handed down, we can see that the Judiciary do not have the appropriate guidance or sufficient options to arrive at the outcomes that are clearly required in certain situations. We can see evidence of that this week. I support that call. I join with my...