Results 481-500 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister has the power of direction and the board will have to legislate. I wonder how this will work out in practice.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: We do not wish for that.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment. As Senator Browne said, this matter is one of the cornerstones of the legislation. While the amendment's list of issues which will be allowed to be discussed is not full and comprehensive, many important issues, such as accountability, are mentioned therein. The amendment clarifies that the executive will be accountable to the committee and mentions the structures that...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment. The appointment of advisers and money spent on writing or publicising reports are issues that have exercised the media. This in itself is not a sufficient reason for us to get too worked up about them but we should note that the public is naturally concerned about them because the money being spent is taxpayers' money. I have no difficulty with Ministers commissioning...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is a different issue.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second this important amendment and thank Senator Browne for moving it. It addresses a serious part of this legislation dealing with the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information. While one can understand and appreciate that the board should be able to discuss its business in a confidential manner and conduct it knowing that it does so with the cloak of confidentiality, there is...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: It does not say that.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 5: In page 25, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: "(4) The Freedom of Information Act 1997 shall apply to the Board with effect from the establishment day.". We have come very neatly to this section on freedom of information. The Minister of State has already referred to freedom of information in the context of the previous amendment. Amendments Nos. 5 and...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: From day one?

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State for his response to amendments Nos. 5 and 8. I will withdraw amendment No. 5 based on his clarification of that issue. However, the Minister of State's response to amendment No. 8 is hilarious. I accept it is his personal view that what is proposed would damage the process and that every written document cannot be floating in the public domain. However, the...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I will not press amendment No. 5 but I will press amendment No. 8.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 8: In page 28, to delete lines 1 to 10.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: This amendment concerns one of the deficiencies caused by the fact that we are rushing this legislation through the House. It is happening without the establishment of the health information and quality authority. So much information remains unknown and so much data is lacking, particularly for the board of the health service executive with regard to drawing up the corporate plan and planning...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Will the Leader of the House arrange for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to this House in the new year to discuss the very important issue of press freedom? He has on a number of occasions, including in this House, given his views on the press, but there is a very important and current issue of freedom of the press and sources, on which I do not intend to comment,...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 1: In page 12, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 7.—Subject to the provisions of this Act and the resources available to the Executive, the primary function of the Executive is to take such steps as are open to it to ensure that each person in the State is facilitated in availing of an individual entitlement to such health services and personal social...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: We have probably exhausted the debate on this matter and we know where we stand in respect of it. The Minister of State indicated that issuing a mission statement will be the responsibility of the board. He will be aware, however, that if something is not set down in legislation, there is no guarantee it will happen. He stated that people's rights have been codified in existing health...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I wish to share time with Senators Coghlan and Cummins, by agreement.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: This is an important and relevant debate and I thank all responsible for providing the opportunity to hold it before the recess. In acknowledging the work of all in this process, we must consider the wider context of how far we have all come. In this regard, I single out the work of the Taoiseach and do not think anyone would want to take from his stand in regard to moving the peace process...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister of State will have an opportunity to reply at the end of the debate.