Results 81-100 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Does this mean that all the powers that were previously vested in the Minister for Health and Children have gone? Is there no regulatory power over the VHI anymore?

Seanad: Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 31: In page 6, before section 6, to insert the following new section: "6.—The Board shall report on a six monthly basis to the Competition Authority on its market share in the health insurance market.". Given that the Minister will no longer have a role and that various competition issues arise with the development of these new subsidiaries given the dominance of VHI, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Where is the legislation for the Seanad and what has happened to the Government's legislative programme? This week, for example, there is only one Bill before the House. What has happened to the range of legislation that was due to come before the Seanad? Why is there such a hold-up?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is a serious question. Is the Government so distracted that it is just not getting to the real business of the Dáil and Seanad, which is passing legislation? The Leader might consider this and ensure that more legislation comes before the House. One of the Ministers has been quite distracted this week by a fleeting report on an RTE programme about a Minister taking cocaine. There was...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is the reaction we are getting to a somewhat fleeting comment on a programme.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: This was the reaction to a somewhat irrelevant comment on a programme. I wish to raise the issue of the children's rights referendum. Senator Ross spoke here last week about the need to prepare for the European treaty and to have adequate discussion. There was a proposal that the children's rights referendum be held on the same day. I would like to find out if this is the case. Today...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is why one does not shoot the messenger.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Minister to the House and I hope that she will leave us with an understanding of the degree to which the health service, under this Government's leadership over the past ten and a half years, has failed the citizens of this country. When it comes to cancer, for example, people expect the health service should be capable of accurate, speedy diagnosis. They expect that treatment...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why does one side of the health service not know what the other side is doing? On 7 November last, for example, The Irish Times reported that the BreastCheck service double reads mammograms for safety. One day earlier the HSE had stated double reading is not a requirement at symptomatic breast disease centres. This kind of information fuels confusion and fear, and it is not a one-off...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want the Minister to return to address that aspect. Instead of clear incremental progress, we see one tragedy after another. I must put to the Minister what many people say, that the HSE in its present form is a failed entity. It would seem that the burdensome administrative difficulties prevent it from carrying out its intended function. This view comes from all of the partners in the...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Another example is where all involved want to be paid as they were in charge but nobody wants to show leadership or responsibility. The Minister states she wants her legacy to be one of good access for everybody, whether he or she is a public or private patient, but I wonder whether her legacy will be one of supporting a range of private facilities while the public health service remains...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The radiographic equipment at the centre was also old and at the time it was designated a centre of excellence, audits and follow-up audits were not done. There was a problem. Funding for the centres of excellence was not ring-fenced, and that is a question for the Minister. Many members of the public are of the view that "centre of excellence" is a title put by the Minister and the HSE on...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will conclude now. The surveys did not represent the people who die every week in our hospitals from MRSA, nor did they seek out and represent the people who must travel hundreds of miles for services. I put it to the Minister that the transport issues are major ones. More than 50% of people diagnosed with cancer are over 65. The transport issues must be addressed. The Minister has a...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: ——later when the implementation plan for her current cancer strategy will be published. When will she come back to this House to announce the implementation plan for the cancer strategy?

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The time has been allocated.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, if the Senator wishes to extend the time, Fine Gael is perfectly agreeable.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: More Fine Gael speakers are available if she prefers. The time has been limited by the Government.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: On a point of order, the time has been limited by the Government and the Senator is being disingenuous. Fine Gael Members have filled the time available. If Senator O'Malley wishes to allocate another two hours to us to continue to debate the health service, we will happily take it. The Senator's comments were disingenuous.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: The five minutes will be shared with my colleagues. I thank the Minister for staying to take our questions. When will the implementation strategy be announced? Is it the Minister's intention to close local hospitals before centres of excellence are fully operational? What work is being done with or for these hospitals in terms of their future role, perhaps as ancillary services or...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Frances Fitzgerald: Could the Cathaoirleach not show a little leniency? There are only two other questions to be covered.