Results 14,321-14,340 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to the debate. I am very impressed with the great level of interest shown in the private sector from the Deputies opposite because I am usually attacked here. In fact, there is a contradiction between the emphasis on commercialisation and private interests. To clarify an issue raised by Deputy Twomey, there is no question of a nurse being able...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: It will do that. That is a matter for the regulatory body. As I said on Committee Stage, I regret the rushed nature of the debate and I accept it is rushed. I accept also that the volume of legislation coming from my Department has been a challenge to the Department, the Parliamentary Counsel, Opposition spokespersons and others. Three large Bills are going through the House and will be...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I wish to indicate that I will accept two amendments from Deputy McManus. I already accepted some of her amendments on Committee Stage. I assure the House that this is not a political bias, as most people will understand. It is just that they are good amendments and have been cleared legally.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: It is not a gender thing either. I hope I am big, brave and honest enough to accept good amendments from wherever they come. I accepted quite a few in the Seanad or said I would have them checked. The amendments introduced in the Seanad concerning conflicts of interest have caused a lot of interest from all kinds of people. Deputies and Senators have spoken on them, which is the wonderful...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I accept the Deputy is from Mallow where I know a primary care facility is to be put in place.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: He is from east Cork and there is an issue there.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: The legislation never sought, and does not prohibit, pharmacies and general practitioners from being in the same premises. I made that clear on Committee Stage and there is no doubt about it. To ensure there is no confusion or ambiguity, the legislation says normal landlord-tenancy relationships are not affected by this legislation.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I may have been referring to later ones. I am accepting amendments Nos. 9 and 34.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: No.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Amendments Nos. 28a and 29a are additional and have nothing to do with amendment No. 6a or amendment No. 4a.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I do concur. Apparently the numbering was done in the Bills Office.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I am not responsible for that.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Today is 4 April and I am certain of that.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes. I presume the Ceann Comhairle will confirm this.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes and amendment No. 6a aims to deal with what Deputy McManus raised, the issue of whether people elected are automatically appointed.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: Hopefully this is one of the last pieces of legislation I am likely to address substantively here in the House before the election, in any case. As I said on Committee Stage, nine of the members are elected and, at the moment, 38% of the members of the society are women including two former presidents, the current vice-president and two former registrars. In health care professional grades...

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: I strongly favour gender balance as I think it leads to more objective decision making but I think it is happening organically. This amendment is too prescriptive. I believe the issue in the future will be having a male presence of 40% in such societies. If one looks at pharmacy students, medical students, therapy students and nursing students today one will hardly see a man in the room.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: These are good days but I like a balance and do not want men to be absent. Decision making is better when there are men and women involved.

Pharmacy Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Mary Harney: If that criterion was applied in this House Deputy Ó Caoláin might not be here and that would not be a good thing. I would be pleased to accept the amendment if the Minister appointed the entire board but nine members will be elected. I also understand that eight of the elected members are female.