Results 15,761-15,780 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: From the Seanad. (27 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On the relaxation of the hearsay principle, Deputy Costello expressed concern about the use of the formula "in the interests of justice" that the courts will use to decide in their discretion. That is the canonical formula used in the Criminal Evidence Act 1992. The common law developed the rule that evidence is not admissible if the person submitting it is not available to give the evidence...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 168 and 231 together. Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Service Executive under the Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998. The length of time it takes to complete the necessary assessment and the allocation of resources within the Health Service Executive is a matter for the management of HSE. However, I have asked the Adoption...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following an extensive public consultation process I recently announced that the Government has approved the drafting of a range of legislative proposals relating to adoption. These proposals include the establishment of an adoption authority to act as a central national authority for adoption, including the carrying out of the functions that are the responsibility of the Adoption Board. The...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government recently approved the drafting of legislative proposals relating to adoption. One of the proposals is that only persons under 50 would be eligible to apply for assessment for inter-country adoption. Adoption is a service for children, and the best interests of children are at the core of the proposals. As the proposals relate to age at the time of application for assessment,...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Department of Health and Children did not have children under its direct care while they were resident in institutions. Children were placed in these institutions by the then local health authorities and by health boards who were acting in loco parentis. Under the Health Act 1953 the Minister had responsibility for 14 homes of which ten are included in the Schedule to the Act. The...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of residential care for children in care rests with the executive. My Department has requested the primary, community...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of a time out facility at Foynes rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Services Executive, HSE, under the Adoption Acts 1952-1998, as amended by the Health Act 2004. The process of assessment of applicants for inter-country assessment is set out in a framework for inter-country assessment introduced in 1999 to streamline assessments and to provide a transparent system centred on the child's best...

Written Answers — Pre-School Services: Pre-School Services (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The report on the review of the child care — pre-school services — regulations 1996 and amendment regulations 1997 has been completed pending clarification of a small number of legal and technical issues, which is being progressed. Training issues for pre-school inspection staff which may arise as a result of the requirements of the revised regulations will be a matter for the Health...

Accident and Emergency Services: Motion. (26 Jan 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has outlined her action plan to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services which will significantly improve patients' experiences of accident and emergency services. The Government has devoted significant attention to, and investment in, accident and emergency and related services. Last October, Comhairle na nOspidéal published...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to explain this Bill to the House. In this debate, we must address important issues with clarity, purpose and fairness. People in long-term care, and their families, should have clarity about how care will be provided and paid for. It is also important that any charges made by the State are on a fully legal basis. We should have confidence in our public administration operating...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes, it is intended to circulate copies of the speech.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to deal with three areas — first, the provisions of the Bill; second, the scheme of repayments the Government will put in place; and third, the issues arising from the handling of this question within the Department of Health and Children. Just as the Tánaiste placed on the record of the Lower House yesterday a number of documents as an annex to her prepared remarks, I am also...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We have proven it.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Fine Gael Members were naturals in the role themselves.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Attorney General.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Members of Senator Browne's party were in control of the Department of Health in several Administrations when these charges were collected.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thought it began in 1954.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The amendment seeks to have laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas the figure above which capital projects must specifically be sanctioned by the Minister. It is more practicable and appropriate that this information should be included in the annual report and the financial statements of the executive. I do not regard this as something that should be a confidential matter. I see no...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Members for their kind comments and their recognition that this is important and fundamental legislation. I am encouraged by the tenor of the debate in this House. The criticisms tendered from the Opposition benches were offered in a constructive spirit. The earlier signature motion is necessary because certain preliminary matters must be put in place to ensure the Act will commence...