Results 1-20 of 10,586 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: Having come from a Parliament where a person is given only one minute speaking time, I am conscious that many Members in this House would have already this morning used up their entire allocation of speaking time for the year. I support Senator Landy's comments in regard to repetition. Perhaps in calling for Ministers to come to this House to explain themselves, we should by way of reform...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I congratulate Senator Ivana Bacik on identifying with and progressing this issue and ensuring the Bill was brought before the House. I also thank the Minister for supporting the legislation and introducing it at such an early date. I remember raising the issue of female genital mutilation with Members of the Oireachtas in 1992 or 1993. I did so because an Irish doctor working in London had...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: Like my colleagues, I welcomed the Minister of State to the House and wish her well in her role. I welcome the Bill. It is important that we put in place conventions that have been passed at international level. I note that in January 2010 an interdepartmental committee was established, which is headed by an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is also...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to follow up on a matter raised yesterday by Senator Whelan on the shortfall in the number of junior doctors. He mentioned his area of Portlaoise and the midlands in general. My information is that there will be a shortfall of 450 junior doctors on 1 July. In other words, 450 places will not be filled. I understand this has come about as a result of centralising the applications...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: While an amendment has not been tabled in respect of the issue I wish to raise, will the Minister for Health consider the matter? This morning, I received a comprehensive 31-page legal opinion regarding extra-territorial jurisdiction courtesy of Amnesty International. The opinion is that of Ms Maria McDonald, BL. I am unsure as to whether the Minister has seen it, but careful consideration...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I congratulate Senator Bacik for bringing forward this matter and for being to the forefront in ensuring it has reached this stage, which is long overdue. As I said earlier in the debate, this issue was raised with me 19 years ago. It has moved on in most other European countries and I am delighted Senator Bacik has brought it forward and pressed on with it. I thank the Minister for having...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: It might not be good news, though.

Seanad: Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme: Statements (16 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for providing that clarification in her speech. I welcome the move by the Minister to restart the processing and acceptance of applications under the fair deal scheme. This move brings clarity to the situation and will be a relief for thousands of older people and their families throughout the country. I hope the 2,900 applications,...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving us the time here today to debate this jobs initiative. It is very important that we provide hope. Listening to other speakers, there seems to be a negative view out there, so I should open by talking about events last weekend, when one of our international golfers, Rory McIlroy, won a major international event. I know of one bus company in Killarney that...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise again an issue I raised a number of weeks ago on why we are facing a problem with junior doctors. In fairness to the Minister, he has dealt with it in the best way he can in a very short time but the issue which caused the problem was the centralisation of job applications and the lack of consultation between HSE management and local management on what vacancies will arise....

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank Senator Mullen for tabling the motion. It is important we debate the issue and that legislation be introduced. Many people employed in the public and private sectors are aware of illegal activities but are afraid to come forward. In the present economic circumstances, people are afraid for their jobs, afraid of damaging promotion...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator O'Donovan to a large degree. However, my problem with amending the period to three years is that while much work has been done to improve the current procedures on bankruptcy, once a person is declared bankrupt it still takes time to go through the entire procedure of collecting and distributing whatever money is involved. I would be inclined to move to the five year...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I also welcome the visit by the President of the European Parliament. I had the privilege of sitting beside him for two years in the European Parliament where, as people may not be aware, we sit in alphabetical order. As a former Prime Minister of Poland, he is very well qualified to hold the role of President. The issue I wish to raise comes under the remit of the Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is extremely important that clarity is provided. As someone who served on the board of the Port of Cork for ten years and who dealt with a number of issues regarding foreshore licences, we found at times there were delays because of the procedures that were in place. It is important that applications are dealt with in a speedy fashion. I am...

Seanad: Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I refer to the issue of timescale, which the Minister mentioned. However, I keep raising this issue in the context of different applications to Departments. The Garda must bring District Court proceedings within a specific time period. There is a need to set down a timeframe for many applications to various Departments where consent is required. Will the Minister examine this?

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for setting time aside to deal with this matter. I also thank Senator Leyden for introducing the Bill. I agree with what the Minister said. If I was asked to write a speech for her it would match what she said word for word. As someone who has been in legal practice for over 25 years I am well aware of the difficulties that can arise when...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: That is what happens when one is in legal practice for 25 years. These concerns need to be examined. The Bill, as drafted, is not the solution but it highlights the need for people to make wills. As Senator David Cullinane emphasised, with more young families it is important guardianship and other legal effects are planned for in the event of a premature death. I agree with the Minister's...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I am aware the Minister of State has just come from a meeting where this issue was being discussed. I apologise, but I understood the Adjournment would be a little later. This issue concerns property that was built with planning permission under the planning Acts which must comply with Part V. In order to comply with Part V, the agreement is that the developer must provide a separate piece...

Seanad: Planning Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, in the case to which I referred, a lack of demand for housing is not the issue and the development is located within a mile of a large urban centre. It is not desirable to have such a development sitting idle, as is the case in other locations throughout the State. I take on board what the Minister of State said, but my concern is that...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (7 Jul 2011)

Colm Burke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."