Results 121-140 of 1,552 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Peter Burke

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child Protection (30 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this important issue. I know he has raised it on a number of occasions. I will revert to the Minister with responsibility for children with his concerns because these are very serious issues he is bringing to public attention in the Dáil, which is the highest forum in the country to do so. I will refer back to the Minister on it.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this very important matter for his community. It provides me with an opportunity to outline on behalf of the Minister for Education, who is unable to attend this evening, the current position on the major building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square. The project is included in the Department of Education's construction programme,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child Protection (30 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Under the Child Care Act 1991, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The Act is the key piece of...

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. Well done on that milestone. I thank all Members for their contributions as well as the regular interactions with all the farm organisations the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, have conducted. On behalf of the Government, I want to put their views on the record. As both the Minister and Minister of State...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputies for their statements. I will focus my remarks on energy and migration issues. Before doing so, I will briefly acknowledge the significant anniversary this year as Ireland marks 50 years of its membership of the European Union. Over the last 50 years, close co-operation with our European partners has been transformative and has accelerated Ireland's emergence as a modern,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I wish to respond on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I thank Deputy Hourigan for raising this issue. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced special Covid leave with pay for all Civil Service and public sector employees at the start of the pandemic to assist in preventing the onward spread of Covid in work premises. Currently, special Covid...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Hourigan for the very important points she has raised. I will pass them on to the Minister for Health. The Government recognises the significant role of public healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. They have gone beyond the call of duty, working at the front line, in clinically exposed environments treating Covid-positive patients in extremely difficult circumstances....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: As I mentioned in my opening statement, significant resources have been invested in UHL over recent years. The workforce at UHL has increased by 42%, or 1,161 whole-time equivalents, since the end of 2019. It is accepted that a key part of the solution for Limerick is additional beds. Work on a new inpatient block at UHL has commenced, with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, breaking...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (1 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who has been concerned for some time about the congestion experienced in the emergency department at UHL, which has led to long patient experience times and patients waiting on trolleys for admission. According to the HSE’s TrolleyGAR, there were 470 patients counted on trolleys at 8...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: With regard to Deputy Howlin's contribution, the Taoiseach was very concerned about the Inflation Reduction Act. The Deputy quite rightly referred to state aid and the beneficiaries of that, which is a massive concern for the Government. President von der Leyen said the Commission will issue a package of measures on four key issues - regulatory environment, finance, skills and trade - in...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. I will now address further issues that were on the agenda of December's European Council meeting. At the meeting, leaders agreed to grant EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a real opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward and I support their path and the efforts they now need to undertake to deliver their...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Members for their questions. In relation to Deputy Mattie McGrath, I understand that the Taoiseach committed to a debate on these issues in the next two weeks during today's Order of Business, if I am not mistaken. Obviously as a member of the EU we are to the forefront in meeting our international obligations to ensure that those coming, who are very traumatised and in very...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputies for their questions and their kind comments. First, on the temporary protection directive, 72,000 Ukrainian citizens have been welcomed into Ireland. The response has been challenging. We have seen potentially an 1,100% plus increase in Ukrainian citizens who are availing of international protection or a request for same coming into the State and we are trying to...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Howlin for his kind wishes. In the first instance, in regard to the response, "Yes" is the answer to the Deputy's question in terms of the key infrastructure. President Zelenskyy, on the phone call that recently took place with the Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the level of investment they need in their SME sector to rebuild the country, of which...

Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: Dung can be very useful.

Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputies for their views, some of which were very contrasting. I value them greatly. The Bill is a response to an EU infringement case and is a key environmental management tool to which we are trying to respond. This is focused on large-scale abstractions. The ESB and Irish Water would be required to register for all the major abstractions they carry out. Therefore, it is...

Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I will address amendments Nos. 45 to 48, inclusive. These amendments to the Bill are intended to amend the Foreshore Act 1933 in order to ensure there is no doubt over the definition of the foreshore and that the Act can operate as it always has. This includes requiring a foreshore licence for the lawful undertaking of geophysical and geotechnical surveying. Many licences have been applied...

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank everyone for their warm comments. A number of female councillors from all parties and none were involved at the very core of this process. Groups like Women for Election, See Her Elected and the Women's Council of Ireland have all been involved in trying to frame this legislation and assist me going through the process. Laura Mannion from the Department was central in working with...

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I again put on record of the House my appreciation for all the Members of all various different parties and Independents who contributed to framing these proposals for maternity leave for our councillors. Since my appointment, this has been a significant gap and I am happy now that we have taken this journey to ensure that we have this very important reform. I know from dealing with so many...