Results 1,421-1,440 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Family Reunification Policy (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Senator for her proposal. I will read the prepared statement from the Minister's office and then reflect on some of the issues raised by the Senator. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and creating a further opportunity for us to discuss Ireland's ongoing response to people and their families in need of international protection. The House will recall that in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Family Reunification Policy (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I again thank the Senator. I will not read the other part of the response because it follows on from what has been said. I will raise the Senator's concerns with the Tánaiste. Nobody in this Chamber cannot but be moved by the pictures he or she has seen on television of men, women and children, including the very old, fleeing their homes across the world. It is an awful predicament...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Post Office Closures (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten. The response may not be what the Senator wants to hear. I will read the written response and I have taken a lot of notes. I will come back to the Senator. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, has responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Post Office Closures (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I note what the Cathaoirleach has said. Due to other business, sometimes Minister are not available. When I take a Commencement Matter, I always go back to the Minister and explain the situation.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Post Office Closures (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I know that. I do not take any offence.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Post Office Closures (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I do not know about that. I do not feel coming in here is a punishment. The Senator has raised an issue that is close to my heart. In my area a post office closed recently at short notice, due to a post master retiring. Unfortunately, local people, in a similar matter to those to whom the Senator referred, had to change post office. That can be very upsetting for older people, in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy (24 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee with an independent chair has been established to advise me on the development of the new National Drugs Strategy. The Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs. I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Coveney. I thank Senator Grace O'Sullivan for raising the matter. Earlier this month my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Damien English, outlined to the Dáil the background and context to the decision that was made in this case and I welcome the opportunity to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: My apologies.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I have taken note of the issues raised by Senator O'Sullivan, in particular with regard to the public consultation process. The Senator said that the application was only advertised in one newspaper which meant that many local people missed it, despite the fact that it is so important.I will bring the issues, which the Senator has raised, back to the Minister, including those around...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (23 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney. I will reply to some of the issues the Deputy has raised after I read this reply from the Minister. At the outset, I acknowledge the very difficult and distressing situation that certain home owners in Donegal and Mayo are facing as a result of damage to the structural integrity of their homes. The Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (23 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Like everyone else, I have seen the TV programmes depicting people's homes crumbling around them. Other people, including those who built the blocks, those who built the homes and the county councils that took part in the process of planning these homes, are responsible here. It is not only the Government that is responsible. I understand the Senator's frustration. As I have said in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (18 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As of 16 May 2017 seven licences have been issued for the cultivation of hemp.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (18 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. Counselling and rehabilitation services provide care to those presenting with a gambling addiction through one...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (18 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and has legitimate medical use in anaesthesia and analgesia. Fentanyls are extremely potent and even the smallest amount of the substance can cause overdose and death. Fentanyl may also be absorbed through the skin. The effects of the drug may be indistinguishable from Heroin, meaning that Heroin users may be at risk of unwittingly consuming this substance. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces Funding (18 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. In the 2017 budget, an additional €3m has been provided for a number of measures aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction issues. The increased funding will support the development of a pilot supervised injection facility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (16 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages support for vulnerable older people, including those in declining health and/or those living in isolated rural communities, by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms. The aim of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Data (16 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate (brand names include Ritalin, Concerta and Equasym) or atomoxetine (Strattera) are authorised in the treatment of conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as part of a comprehensive treatment programme which typically includes psychological, educational and social measures. As previously highlighted to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (16 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (16 May 2017)

Catherine Byrne: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the ADAPT Community Drugs Team was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.