Results 13,361-13,380 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Marc MacSharry: Yes. I am asking for a debate on this issue. I have very serious concerns about the proximity of HIQA to senior management in the HSE. Following a difficult process under the Freedom of Information Act, I managed to get my hands on a report which proved that Mr. John Billings of HIQA - I am quoting words from minutes he wrote in respect of which I had to solicit the help of the Ombudsman,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Marc MacSharry: -----to facilitate Galway being chosen as the location of a cancer centre of excellence and ensure no other hospital could secure such a centre. I have grave concerns about the integrity of that organisation which has been borne out today by my colleague, Senator John Crown. If debates on these issues could be arranged, I would greatly appreciate it.

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

Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State. It is good to have her here again. Fianna Fáil will support this Bill and welcomes the fact it has been introduced so quickly in order to enable the recruitment of additional doctors from overseas. The Minister of State has discussed each section in detail and I do not propose to reiterate what she said, other than to welcome the broad thrust of the Bill...

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

Marc MacSharry: I certainly do not plan to delay a Bill which has all-party agreement. While the Office of Tobacco Control did not figure too much in the Minister of State's speech, it is worth noting the good work it did from when it was first established. We must commend the many health professionals and various others who served the office, advising Ministers and the Department of Health on...

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

Marc MacSharry: It is the minimum wage.

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

Marc MacSharry: Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: With Senator Ivana Bacik, I welcome the announcement on the first 5,000 places on the internship programme, although it is regrettable the number is so small. A difficulty I have with it, one that is borne out by the Union of Students in Ireland, concerns the reason one must be three months unemployed before one can take up a place. Surely the object of this activity is to ensure people are...

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: It uses language such as "where appropriate"-----

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: -----and "where appropriate" is determined by the banks.

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I wish to share time with Senator Byrne.

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: As the Leader of the Opposition has said, we are supporting the motion on the basis that this is a very important issue. I deeply regret Senator Hayden's comments at the beginning, because as a member of the previous Seanad, I pioneered this issue in the entire Oireachtas with the establishment of the Prevention of Family Home Repossessions Group and its website www.saveyourhome.ie. Some...

Seanad: Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme: Statements (Resumed) (16 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: This is my first opportunity to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House. I congratulate her on her appointment. If she has anything to do with reforming this issue, as Senator White and others have said, the future is certainly bright. I am glad to have the opportunity to make certain points and I am conscious that others have greater expertise than I in the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the passage of the Bill. I congratulate Senator Bacik who pioneered the legislation and hope the Bill has a speedy transition through the other House. Some issues with regard to a legal opinion have been raised and I am sure the Minister will consider that with his officials between now and then. I hope the legislation moves quickly and that it does not sit...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (15 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I welcome this opportunity. It is the ninth year in which I have made similar points. I congratulate the Senators who introduced the motion. It is impossible for me not to agree entirely with the previous speaker because I, too, saw the motion was to be adjusted and understood this was the ninth year in which we have made many of the same points. As Senator Ó Murchú stated, the...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. As a constituency colleague it would be remiss of me not to congratulate him wholeheartedly and say that the people from all parties in our region are very proud that we have a Minister of State responsible for the very important portfolio of dealing with small business. I wish him and his good offices every success on all our...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I know the Acting Chairman will indulge me. When he sat where I am now, he often had to break the rules. I will need just a brief moment or two.

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: My colleague, Senator Paul Bradford, mentioned the airport issue and I know it is a topic close to the Minister of State's heart. I appreciate funding is finite but following the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport's short-sighted announcement yesterday on funding, especially relating to Galway and Sligo airports, I called in the press for the establishment of a task force. I am sure...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: Such action would guarantee their viability and I call on the Minister of State to pursue that goal. I wish him every success in his good offices and I am sure we will look forward to other exchanges in the future.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister, Deputy Reilly, to the House and wish him well in his office. This has been my first opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment since he has taken office. I wish him every success and while Members are present for legislative purposes today, I hope he will be in a position to attend debates in the House in the short term on some of the serious...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2011)

Marc MacSharry: Rather than having a broad, sweeping debate on health issues, which it could be, given the wide variety of important issues involved, perhaps we could break it down into sectors. I am seeking a specific debate on the HSE budget, which is an issue I have raised many times before. I am uncomfortable with the fact that the HSE, which is effectively a third party organisation, has control of...