Results 181-200 of 45,809 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Patient Statistics: Patient Statistics (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Data on attendances at accident and emergency departments are collected each month nationally but it is not possible to determine what proportion of attendances at accident and emergency departments are due to assault. Information on hospital in-patient activity is collected in the hospital in-patient inquiry, HIPE, system. This system records the number of hospital discharges in publicly...

Written Answers — Health Board Waiting Lists: Health Board Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. The aim of my Department is to develop the treatment capacity of orthodontics — both nationally and in the South Eastern Health Board, SEHB, in a sustainable way over the longer term. Given the potential level of demand for orthodontic services, the provision of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: I have had inquiries made of the South Western Area Health Board, SWAHB, and understand that a decision was made in January 2004 to return medical care processing services to one central location, Poplar House, headquarters of community care Kildare-west Wicklow. I understand from the SWAHB that the decision was taken due to difficulties experienced over the past few years in regard to the...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny is, in the first instance, a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, asked the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of services to residents of County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of County Westmeath rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (17 Feb 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of services at Saint James's Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: Are the Deputy's questions in reference to the section dealing with sponsorship?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: We envisage a lead-in time for guidelines to issue. The Act is clear in terms of what a person can or cannot do. This is not an enabling measure, therefore, regulations will not be required. We will work with people in terms of compliance. Sponsorship is currently forbidden under existing Acts. The latest example related to a snooker tournament some years ago when sponsorship was banned under...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: I do not believe I will need any lead-in time. This will be law once it is passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: To be fair to all concerned, there may not be an easy alternative mode. There has been a major push in recent years since we increased the age limit to 18. We wanted to bring across a strong culture of compliance in order to try to stop minors from smoking or to reduce what are termed "initiation rates". The most recent national lifestyles survey shows that we had arrested the rate at which...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: I do not interfere with those who have to enforce the law. However, I will explore the issues the Senator has raised. I will convey his views to the health boards and discuss them with the group concerned in order to ascertain the general pattern of enforcement behaviour throughout the country. The situation to which the Senator referred may be particular to his health board as opposed to others.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: Smuggling is a heinous crime in itself and runs counter to what we are trying to do to achieve a smoke-free society. I have had consultations with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Minister and the Garda have had some significant successes, especially in recent times with major hauls of smuggled tobacco used for illegal trading. The stronger we can clamp down on this,...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: That is correct.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: I do not propose to accept these amendments. Amended section 47(3) creates an offence for the occupier, manager and other person in charge of a specified place where there is a contravention of a provision of this section in that specified place. This is a standard legal provision in terms of public health legislation; a similar provision applies in the case of food safety legislation. The...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: Someone must accept responsibility for policy enforcement.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: We are taking a reasonable position on this bearing in mind that the section also provides for a reasonable defence clause. It is a matter of building compliance with owners and employers throughout the country so that they ensure authorised officers work with them in terms of the no smoking agenda, as they already do in the area of food safety. It will not be a case of trying to nab people...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (9 Mar 2004)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that this is a standard legal provision.