Results 61-80 of 1,966 for speaker:Mary Henry

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: Senator Norris will have an opportunity to speak shortly. The Minister of State, without interruption.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I thank Senator Norris for sharing his time with me. I, too, am grateful to Senator Cox for raising this issue. Last week, I raised the issue of the Environmental Protection Agency report on private water schemes. The pollution is worse now due to sewage than when I was first elected to the House 15 years ago. This is unbelievable. The outbreak of cryptosporidium in Galway is scandalous....

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: As everyone has said, it is difficult enough to get people involved in public and political life at the moment. It is very odd that local authorities have been included in the legislation. The Minister will appoint the people. We do not want it to be said that one simply needs to be a friend of the Minister to be appointed. Nobody wants to see this sort of thing happen. The chief...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I share the concerns expressed by Senators Browne and Ryan. I expect section 42(3) will result in more court cases and tribunals because the chief inspector may opt to state he expects a matter to be the subject of proceedings rather than having simple matters settled by giving an account before a committee.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: Whatever about the rights and wrongs of the situation affecting the maternity services in Cork, at least women there receive treatment. In Galway University Hospital and in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda there are delays, in some cases of up to 20 weeks, for pregnant women to have their first visit. That is two to three months later than the recommended time for good treatment....

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I presume this amendment is proposed as a result of the problems that were encountered in the Leas Cross investigation. Anything that would prevent the delays and discomfitures that were experienced in that case is worth considering.

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I share the Senator's concerns. A person of lesser moral fibre and toughness than Professor Des O'Neill might have buckled under the pressure of that issue. I cannot understand why people cannot be afforded absolute privilege. It is very serious for individuals to be sued and it could be a terrible brake on making sure we had proper reports and that people felt confident enough to stand...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I also welcome the Bill. We were all dismayed by the report written by Professor Des O'Neill on the conditions in certain private nursing home. It became clear that we needed far more robust standards for the inspection of institutions which provide cared for people, including children, who are elderly, ill or vulnerable. This is a welcome...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (23 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I thank the Senator for that information but the Minister is at the top of the tree. If the authority is not doing its job, it is the Minister who is supposed to keep an eye on the authority. The health care providers in private nursing homes will be covered by this legislation. The explanatory memorandum states: The Authority will operate accreditation programmes and other schemes aimed at...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: The recent Environmental Protection Agency report on private water schemes indicates that e.coli pollution from sewage is getting worse, despite the incredible amounts of money being spent. The episode of pollution of public water in the Galway area with cryptosporidium is the worst ever reported in the country. We have to take this issue seriously. Will the Acting Leader invite the...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I move amendment No. 72: In page 44, subsection (3)(n), line 20, to delete "mail." and substitute the following: "mail, courier or other means of delivery or transportation.". I understand that people sometimes seal their mailboxes to avoid getting things that can only be delivered by mail. Therefore, it is important to provide for other methods of delivery. Who would have thought that...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I move amendment No. 76: In page 45, subsection (1)(b), line 41, after "separate" to insert "suitable". I am sure the Minister will find it hard to believe, but I remember pathological specimens that failed because they had been placed in totally unsuitable containers. Evidence that would have been valuable, not necessarily in court cases, was lost. People sometimes have to be reminded to...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: The Minister would be astonished if she knew what people get up to.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I move amendment No. 81: In page 48, subsection (3), line 16, after "director," to insert the following: "shadow director as defined in section 27 of the Companies Act 1990,". I did not know there was such a person as a "shadow director" until I was told about his or her existence. We need to ensure that such people are included in the Bill. I will not delay the House if the Minister agrees...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I can remember it very well. I was one of those who took part, as a junior, in the last examinations for Poths Hall, after which a Chinese gentleman threatened to kill one of the examiners. It was a very colourful outfit and while I am sorry it is no more, the standing of medicine and pharmacy in Ireland is better because of it.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I am glad the Minister has agreed to this because it is important that the profession has confidence in the council. The general public must have confidence but the profession must also have confidence in it.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: I move amendment No. 94: In page 56, paragraph 12(2), line 9, after "surplus" to insert the following: "including any surplus following the disposal of its assets". This is to ensure that when the society is wound up, if it has any funds from the sale of assets, they would not go into the great maw of the Department of Health and Children.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: On the situation regarding connected relatives, this goes even further than the ethics in public office connections. I do not think brother and sister are included or the spouse of a child of the person.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Henry: Are brother and sister included in the ethics in public office legislation?