Results 341-360 of 504 for speaker:Mary White

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt. This is an important item of legislation because it is a significant statement by the State about the provision of free health care and access to it. The context of this legislation is the certainty that political decisions on access to health care are always going to be emotive and intense. The lessons the Government...

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Maybe the Longford loudhailer will hold his peace for a minute.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: A balance has been struck in this legislation but mistakes were made along the way. It is worthwhile expressing an apology to the countless number of senior citizens who were confused and upset by the initial announcements. Accounting must never take over completely in our legislation. Compassion must be factored into our business in the Dáil. The balance in this legislation regarding...

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: The threshold over which people will not have automatic entitlement is sufficiently high. Members must understand that 90% of people over 70 will be entitled to a medical card. That is a reasonable figure.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Our party has not rowed back on anything. We never supported the full entitlement. For those who could pay, we agreed that those over 70 should pay it. That was our party position in 2001.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Go raibh maith agat. I am trying to do my best, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: The provisions for those 70 or over, but whose spouses are under 70, are also sensible and fair, as are the provisions for those who are over the threshold because of low net income or surgical or medical expenses. That is factored into the legislation. I would not be standing here if this was not a reasonable item of legislation. These provisions are equitable and important. The amendment...

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Deputy Bannon should examine the record. This legislation is guided by the principle of targeting resources at those most in need, against a backdrop of an increasing number of people——

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Mary White: The Deputy in question, Deputy Reilly, did not rebut this during a Private Members' Bill. Members should check the record. This debate on access to health care is so vital and the various options that are possible, such as universal health insurance, must be continually considered. I believe in compassion, a word not often bandied about in politics, but I want to use it now. In tough...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 162: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the annual herd number since 1997; the annual number of cattle tested for tuberculosis; and the number of reactors there were. [44590/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number per annum, since 1997, of all reactors that were false positives. [44591/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 164: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the rules which govern the disposal of reactors; and if penalties for non-compliance have been imposed during the past ten years. [44592/08]

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Services: Veterinary Inspection Services (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 165: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are or have been, since 1997, problems with the funding and remuneration of vets who conduct tuberculosis tests; and if there have been refusals by vets to conduct tests. [44593/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details of controls since 1997 for cattle pre-movement tests; and the tests required before sale or movement between herds. [44594/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a listing of prosecutions and penalties imposed on herd owners for their failure to carry out testing schedules. [44595/08]

Written Answers — Cattle Identification Scheme: Cattle Identification Scheme (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 168: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if cattle are microchipped rather than tagged; if there is a list of known tag switching; and if so, if he will provide a list of prosecutions made by his Department for this action. [44596/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 169: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of bovine tuberculosis eradication per annum since 1997 under the general headings of administration, supplies and equipment and services, veterinary bills, reactor compensations and badger culling. [44597/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 170: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a comparative list of the number of reactor cattle in the Republic and in Northern Ireland since 1997; and if will provide these numbers as a quantity and percentage of total herds. [44598/08]

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 Dec 2008)

Mary White: Question 171: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a forum was established as recommended by his Department in the document Outlines of a New Approach to Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Eradication Programmes from 1996; and if so, the details of the subsequent reports of findings from this forum. [44599/08]

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Mary White: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this Government debate on economic issues, particularly focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises. In such a debate we need to focus on and recognise the positives still there in our economy and the large array of supports and schemes available for small and medium-sized enterprises. We have a dynamic and well-educated labour force. We have...