Results 401-420 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Respite Care Services (4 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I intend no disrespect but that is more or less the same answer I received from the Muiríosa Foundation one month ago and from the Department of Health when I made contact last week in respect of this matter. It does not get to the underlying problem whatsoever. Everyone involved including the families affected know full well about the nature of the cutbacks and the strain on resources. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I, too, add my commendation to the Minister for Education and Skills and express support for him in this creative and bold move. I hope it will receive the broad-based support Senator Quinn mentioned from the stakeholders within the education sector to radically reform the junior certificate. I noted the Senator's comments but am not sure if a course that teaches Kerry people how to make...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

John Whelan: I congratulate Senator Hayden on her election as the new Whip of the Labour Party Seanad group. I wish her well in her endeavours. I share Senator Darragh O?Brien?s concern about pre-budget speculation and consternation. I thought we had ceased the leaking of pre-budget proposals so as not to upset unnecessarily families already put to the pin of their collar. I agree with Fr. Seán Healy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Health Services (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I am very grateful to the Minister of State.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Health Services (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to the House to deputise for the Minister for Health on this important issue. My question pertains to sufferers of narcolepsy that is a direct result of a vaccine against swine flu that was not only provided by the State but sponsored by it through GPs and schools in 2009 and 2010. Unfortunately for many parents this has turned into their worst...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Health Services (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive answer and do not doubt his bona fides in the matter. However, we would not have raised this matter on the Adjournment today if the measures set out by the Minister of State were in place. Based on information I received from parents of children affected in the narcolepsy support group, that is the range of responses they seek but the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: That was a very fair ruling by the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I support the sentiments of the Labour Party group leader in this House in respect of her expression of support and solidarity with our colleague, Deputy Róisín Shortall, because she still remains a valued colleague. She is a not a loss to the Department of Health, she is a loss to this country, the health service and the protection...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I received an invitation in the post this morning to the launch of a book entitled Standing By the Republic. This is exactly what Deputy Shortall did last week in the Dáil when she set out her vision for how health services should be provided in this country with conviction.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: Front-line health services, like primary and respite care, home helps and community nursing homes, are the responsibility of the State. The State has a duty of care to its citizens. It is not appropriate that these services are farmed out or privatised. It does not work.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I am looking for a debate and thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his assistance in that regard. When the Minister for Health was here yesterday - I took note of the time; it was 4.15 p.m. - he said there had been no cuts to home helps or carers. If the Minister is of that view, the Government is totally detached from the reality on the ground because we are inundated with calls from people...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (26 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I propose to share time with Senator John Kelly. I appreciate the courtesy of Senator Jim D'Arcy, who allowed me to speak first as I have to attend another meeting at 5 p.m. I welcome the Minister of State again after a previous discussion on this matter on the Adjournment, responding to Senator Pat O'Neill and me in July. I welcome the thoroughness of the policy as set out by the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I wish to raise an educational matter. While it may not be of the lofty heights of, as referred to by Senator Barrett, the proposed amalgamation of the esteemed institutions of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, it is, nonetheless, every bit as important to the people of Laois and has broad-ranging implications for people across the country. Many Members of this House...

Seanad: Irish Water and Related Reforms: Statements (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I would like to share time with my colleague, Senator Landy.

Seanad: Irish Water and Related Reforms: Statements (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He knows this issue is near to my heart. I do not doubt his personal endeavour and his commitment to this subject. It is natural and understandable that everyone is perplexed and obsessed with the vexed issue of water metering and water charges. I think we are forgetting a more fundamental and important issue. The installation of water meters...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: To get back to matters more at home, I draw to the attention of the House that the interim closing date for the registration of septic tanks is one week away on 28 September. To be fair to the Minister and the Department of the Environment, Culture and Local Government, it is a relatively modest ¤5. Colleagues will be aware that due to the deluges we had and the poor weather during the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: There is plenty of evidence because I saw it happening in my local area.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: It is imperative that people stop paying lip service to the environment and to being good neighbours. There is a need for clean, safe sustainable water. It is reckless in the extreme to encourage people not to maintain and monitor their septic tanks or to ensure they are operating properly.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I urge country people to register with what is a modest charge of ¤5. It makes good sense. It makes one a good neighbour and it protects the local water resource, not to mention that not to do so would leave the State, the Government and the taxpayer exposed to millions of euro in fines from the EU because of not complying with EU directives.

Seanad: Charities Act 2009: Motion (19 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I do not want to over-egg the pudding or delay proceedings any longer than is needed. I appreciate the Minister of State had a long day in the other House. I am heartened at the nature of the discourse and debate and grateful for the positive and constructive contributions put forward by all sides of the House. Lest there be confusion as to the reason we are here, I thank Ivan Cooper from...

Seanad: Charities Act 2009: Motion (19 Sep 2012)

John Whelan: I move: That Seanad Éireann: - welcomes the passage in 2009 of the Charities Act 2009 which provides for the regulation and supervision of the charitable sector; - recognises that the charitable sector occupies a place of central importance in our society and economy; - recalls that the objectives of the Charities Act include the enhancement of public trust and confidence in charities...