Results 281-300 of 501 for speaker:Maurice Hayes

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I hope it will not damage the Minister of State's metronome irreparably to discover that I support the motion and oppose the amendment. I had hoped that the motion would be taken on its merits but the amendment invites us to consider and either endorse or condemn a range of motorway issues. I have enormous regard for the work done by the NRA. It has done wonderful work — including the...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I am grateful to Senator Ormonde for sharing time. It means I will have to cut down on the pleasantries but the Minister can take them as delivered. I speak not as a consumer of the services dealt with in the Estimates or with a constituency interest but to offer some general comments on two areas. I will focus on the research capacity of higher education but, with regard to health, I would...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I will probably be stoned by both sides. I have no doubt of the sincerity of any Member in his or her desire to improve the health service. We should accept that sincerity exists on all sides as we all want the same thing. I support the aim of the motion to improve health services because people are very sincere, but one can be sincerely wrong too. It is a pity to refer to the "unnecessary...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: To do so adds to the grief of families. As the Senator informed us, an ambulance arrived within four minutes which compares very well with international standards. I wish people would not speak about downgrading hospitals as if to look after the elderly and those with chronic conditions were somehow less honourable and praiseworthy than to carry out spectacular surgery of one sort or another....

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: The Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, made an interesting reference to Limerick where a co-operative practice found that only 8% of people presenting had to subsequently attend an accident and emergency unit. Oddly, I found the converse to be the case in a survey of two or three hospitals in Northern Ireland where 92% of people attending accident and emergency units would not have had...

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I too welcome the Minister to the House. This is a timely proposal and we should be prepared to assist the tribunal in any way we can and pay tribute to it for the work it has done. These tribunals were great cathartic events in the life of the nation. They have done much to purify public life and, I hope, to restore credibility. However, the longer they are allowed to go on the less impact...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I agree with Senator Glynn on this issue. The inclusion of the term "physiotherapist-physical therapist" suggests that these professions are the same, which is not the case. The international terminology which identifies physiotherapists as physical therapists is one that we have to get to grips with to ensure that people's qualifications in these fields are recognised. We must also recognise...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I agree with what the Senator said.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: It is possible to be infirmed in the same way one can be sick.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: Senator Henry might be able to answer this because of her professional background. These used to be profession supplementaries in medicine and they now stand on their own. Now they will be part of a primary care team where people play different roles. It would be ridiculous if a good GP who wanted to tell someone to eat less fat had to first consult the nutritionist. The GP will develop his...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I hate to disagree with Senator Ryan. I do not believe a Minister should be too constrained in the appointment of a chairperson to a council. I accept that ideally he or she should have the ability to know what is going on, etc. In my experience, however, the best qualification for a chairperson is some horse sense, not necessarily degrees or academic qualifications. The role is essentially...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I support Senator Henry. The term "podiatry" is now more generally used internationally while the term "chiropody" is somewhat passé. In the University of Ulster the qualification is in podiatry. It is very important to use terms which have the modern valency but also enable the comparable recognition of qualifications obtained in other places. One can deal with the chiropody issue by the...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I apologise to the Minister of State for leaving but I thought I had an appointment with his Minister. I thought this amendment would go through on a nod. I do not understand why we are fighting the Battle of the Somme over the difference between chiropody and podiatry, because there is no difference. There is no need to include podiatry because these practitioners are already included. This...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (17 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: That is a helpful suggestion, as was the Leader's. I would ask that the Minister's officials make one additional telephone call to establish the position in Northern Ireland so that there is total fluidity around the country.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (10 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I will defer to my colleague, Senator Norris. I will speak after him.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (10 Nov 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I too welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House. It is always a pleasure to have him here. I also welcome the Bill. I am strongly in favour of its main thrust and have just a few points to make, most of which will echo what Senators have already heard. I am concerned about the qualifications and how they are described,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss certain issues relating to third level education, particularly the university sector, as soon as she gets her feet under the table? I was rather shocked to hear of comments made by the Minister's predecessor, who said that we will have to lower our sights if money is not available for the university...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I disagree with Senator Ryan on the question of non-lethal weapons or less lethal weapons. There is no such thing as a non-lethal weapon. The fist is a lethal weapon. It is important that policemen do not have to use lead bullets all the time. A policeman in a difficult situation must have an alternative that can be used. I applaud the fact that police forces all over the world are looking...

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I too welcome the Minister to the House and add my congratulations to her on taking over this portfolio. I have great confidence that she will bring the same energy and success to that as she has brought to other jobs in Government. I was cheered by her response to, and concern for, the very real problem of people caught in the poverty trap on the threshold of the medical card eligibility....

Seanad: Medical Cards: Motion (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: That might be like asking the Minister to climb the north face of the Eiger in the current political climate. Primary health care contains the core of the answer to the problems. Without going the whole hog of a totally free system, Senator McDowell made some other suggestions. I believe the new generation of doctors, particularly female doctors, would welcome a different form of contract or...