Results 12,881-12,900 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jan 2005)

Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister to the House and the proposed legislation, purely in the context of recent criminal activities and also that of 11 September and the Madrid bombings of 11 March 2004. I could continue with a litany of different types of international terrorism. The lay person accepts that international terrorism is a problem. It is a serious issue that has to be challenged, with a...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: It is. I am building up to it. It is ironic that the Minister, Deputy McDowell, is on record as saying this is an excellent forum for putting legislation through. I wish to be clear about this amendment. There will be anomaly regarding the 30-day rule that will apply to elderly patients. I stressed this point on Second Stage, but the response I got did not address it. I will give a specific...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The Minister of State acknowledged that there is a need for extensive consultation in this regard. This is discrimination against the elderly, who are being treated differently from other members of society. I ask that the amendment be accepted.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I appreciate that. However, I want a commitment from the Minister of State to a follow-up review of this issue. It is not good that a significant proportion of our population is being discriminated against and treated differently from the rest of the population.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I appreciate Senator Glynn's intervention. He is the old dog for the hard road and a seasoned campaigner.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The facts are that on the one hand, the State gives a pensioner money and on the other hand, if an elderly pensioner breaks his or her leg, the State takes the money from him or her after 30 days. For example, a social welfare recipient is given money by the State. However, if that person has to stay in hospital to receive treatment for a period of 30 days, the State does not take back the...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I appreciate that it has been put on the record of the House that no patient in a community hospital will be charged after 30 days if he or she is receiving acute medical treatment, be it for a minor stroke or a broken leg, and that such a person will not be treated differently.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I appreciate that the Minister has put this on the record because, in doing so, he has avoided a major grey area. I appreciate his statement.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: This is new legislation.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I must reply to Senator Glynn. This is new legislation. I am worried about the legal mechanism that will be created with the passage of the Bill. I am concerned that a patient who suffers from an acute illness will be charged after 30 days. If having a worry is baseless-——

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Is having a worry baseless?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: My concern is with the period of 30 days. I am glad the Minister has put on the record of the House that any patient receiving acute treatment in any community or district hospital will not be charged after 30 days. I am delighted this will be the case under this new legislation.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I concur with my colleague, Senator Browne. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their patience and perseverance during the Bill's passage through the House. I assume that it is not an easy job being a departmental official when legislation is going through the Houses very quickly. The Minister of State's staff must be commended on all their work, including the work that will...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I move amendment No. 12b: In page 5, after line 33, to insert the following new section: "3.—The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of this legislation on patients in Community Units who are admitted for acute medical illness or rehabilitation, e. g. minor stroke or fractured femur where...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Senator Browne might not remember Scalextric.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: The Minister of State may be commended among his electoral base in Kildare for being the man to put legislation through in a fast and effective way, but yesterday and today are sad days for democracy. One cannot put such sensitive legislation, which will affect the daily lives of a vulnerable group of people, through both Houses with such speed. The irony of today is that the Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: Like my colleagues on this side of the House I have major concerns about the fast-tracking of this important Bill. By not giving it enough time issues will be missed and there can be grey areas that need to be addressed. On the political debate surrounding what Senator Feighan called mea culpa, or the question of who is to blame, it is easy for the other side of the House to go back to 1976...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: That is agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I wish to be associated with the remarks of Senator Mansergh regarding voluntarism in the context of the coast and cliff rescue and emergency services. As an island nation we rely heavily on voluntarism. Senator Lydon and I raised the issue of roaming charges last week. I am delighted that after our strong representations O2 has decided to refund roaming fees charged over the past six months....

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Joe McHugh: I congratulate Senator Lydon and, without being too smug, I congratulate myself as well.