Results 18,661-18,680 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is extraordinary. We live in very difficult economic times, but we must have a serious debate on this issue in this House. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister with responsibility for disability strategy should come into House today to respond to what has been outlined by those individuals who will gather at the gates today, who are experiencing first hand...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----in their ability to manage their own personal situations. As far as I and Fine Gael are concerned, the 2004 disability strategy is in tatters. Two vital pieces of legislation, the Disability Act and the Education for People with Special Educational Needs Act have been shelved or have been cut so far back as to render them ineffective. There is an enormous human cost to these cutbacks....

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister of State for his response. The Minister, Deputy Harney, recently addressed the Seanad on her vision for the health service. As I told her then, I agree with her vision but have difficulties with the practicalities of its delivery. It is clear from today's discussion that we support the principle of designated centres but the timing and state of development of these...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I regret that the Minister of State did not accept the amendment. Our amendment would have ensured there was further opportunity to analyse the state of the cancer services by 2014. It would have been a very good safeguard. I welcome today's announcement on Galway. However, it comes on the back of hearing of the absolutely appalling experiences that Mrs. Coburn and her sister had there....

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 12 June 2009 the HSE insisted that cost cutting measures would not impact on cancer treatment services, yet the general manager of UCHG warned it that enforced cutbacks would prevent the hospital from functioning as one of the eight cancer care centres of excellence. Again, there is a contradiction. The HSE makes a point about quality of care, yet the person charged with the...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, before section 6, to insert the following new section: "6.—From the commencement of this Act any review of services, including those of any land and buildings, at Saint Luke's Hospital, must be laid before the Dáil and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children by the Minister for approval.". We had a long discussion on Second Stage. The key...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I note the historic legislation on equality passed in the Dáil last night, the Civil Partnership Bill. I welcome the all-party agreement evident during the course of the debate and the fine work done on the Bill. I congratulate the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and all involved for the manner with which they dealt with the legislation. Will the Leader outline how the legislation...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister to the House. This legislation, which changes the governance of St. Luke's Hospital, has evoked a strong reaction from the thousands of individuals and their families who have used the services in St. Luke's. That is clearly because of the quality of service those families and individuals have received in St. Luke's. It has led to incredible fund-raising of €26...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: She should talk to the Cabinet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Some 700 nursing staff have been removed this year from the psychiatric services.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is not true. The Leader is speaking nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader would say black is white and white is black.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Leader would say black is white and white is black.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: What about the subordinated bondholders?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has cut services this year.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Minister for her replies to the various queries raised on this section earlier. Will the Minister clarify a matter on the administrative side? The Minister appears to be suggesting that the system is already set up to capture a significant amount of data and that there will be no difficulty incorporating these new expenses and costs into this data system. Will the Minister...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: On Second Stage I mentioned the proposals IMO representatives had made regarding cost savings and the range of activities they considered could be engaged in to address prescribing and usage behaviour. They were of the view that these proposals offered a better alternative to opting for a prescription charge. Did the Minister make progress with them on the proposals made? Does she believe...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Does the Minister have any reservations about the charge in the context of the deterrent effect of such charges on people who are most vulnerable from a financial and illness point of view? Is she concerned that we may end up spending more on the health budget because people will not look after themselves in the way they should and that they will end up in crisis? I acknowledge patients...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: Looking for revenue from those on the GMS is hitting the worst off. That is the point. Some people will pay the €10, and it might well be the elderly who will be hit most frequently. The elderly often have a very complex range of medication. I do not know if the Minister has the figures but it is not unusual for elderly people to be on a great deal of complex medication into older age...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will make a final point. The health data for life expectancy and illnesses show clearly that those who are least well off financially, those dependent on social welfare and those with medical cards, make up the most vulnerable group which this legislation is targeting. The Minister states the evidence is mixed. I refer to the international evidence on the impact of a prescription levy;...