Results 101-120 of 10,606 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: In the island of Ireland-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: -----many of the issues are the same. Perhaps the Senators will let us know some of the ideas they are using in Northern Ireland. The newspapers this morning seem to indicate that there are difficulties in that part of the island as well. It is important that we are constructive and if there are ideas we can adopt from that part of the island, we are open to accepting them. It is also...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I second the motion and thank my colleague for taking the initiative at a Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to research and draft the proposals contained therein. I was a member of Cork City Council for 12 years. I represented an area around UCC where huge changes have occurred in alcohol consumption patterns over that period. Whereas pubs were previously a common social outlet for young...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for giving us time to deal with the matter. There were very constructive contributions from everybody and the Minister of State has a good grasp of the issue. The amendments-----

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for giving of her time this morning. I read an article by Gordon Brown in one of the newspapers recently not only about trade between Ireland and countries outside Europe but also about Europe's role. The figures he produced showed that less than 7.5% of all exports from Europe went to the countries that accounted for 70% of the global growth rate this year. Only 2% of...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: From the Irish point of view, there is a need for joined-up thinking at European level, whereby Europe would be more proactive in ensuring we gain a bigger slice of the world market. Some years ago it accounted for 40% of the world market but now it dominates only 20%. Has there been any discussion at European level about gaining access to these markets?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I join with my colleagues in wishing to raise the Fr. Reynolds matter. I pay tribute to the solicitors who acted for him. People are open in their criticism of the legal profession, but this was a case where the legal profession stood by their client in spite of the fact that it was up against a major player in the Irish media. The solicitor took on the media and came through with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: On the matter raised by Senator Norris, I understand the committee which will scrutinise the appointment to the Court of Auditors does not include any Irish MEPs. However, MEPs who are not official members may attend the meeting and raise questions. I also understand eight nominations will come before the committee in question today, of which six will be approved and two referred for...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: The current title is put into the Bill in order that if there are any amendments in the future any amending legislation - I am open to correction - will incorporate the amendment. The current title is the appropriate wording that should be included. These are technical amendments and should be approved.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: In order to obtain clarification on this issue, it would be helpful to adjourn for five minutes.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: While I support the principle of Senator Barrett's amendment, I suggest it should be reviewed at some stage in the future, not necessarily in this House. I think there should be consideration of the age of retirement of judges. I understand that judges are sitting beyond the age of 65 although I am open to correction in that matter.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I ask why should a different set of rules apply when important decisions are being taken on a daily basis in the courts. I suggest there should be an overall review of the age of retirement although not necessarily in this legislation.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Leyden on this matter. As a member of the legal profession, I do not agree with the amendment. A big issue can arise if one has a home delivery but it does not work out, unfortunately, and one is admitted to hospital. The hospital will have insurance cover, but the midwife might not have cover. If litigation ensues in such circumstances, there will be a big legal...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill (2011): Report and Final Stages (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank Senators Leyden and Gilroy for highlighting this matter, as well as the Minister of State for responding in a positive way and dealing with it immediately. I also thank the staff for dealing with this matter in the appropriate way.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill (2011): Report and Final Stages (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for introducing this important legislation. There are over 90,000 registered nurses, of whom 67,000 are actively working. It is important to highlight the issue of maternity care. While there is much focus on the level of litigation in this area, it must be borne in mind that the number of deliveries in hospitals has increased from 55,000 a...

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That'" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann: — recognises that the delivery of an effective health awareness and physical fitness programme in both primary and secondary schools is essential for the overall wellbeing of children; — notes that while there is a new physical education curriculum in place at primary school level...

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: For clarification, there is an amendment which the proposers to the motion have accepted. The amendment is of a very minor nature and I already explained it at the beginning.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: The issue of access to funding for research and development should be debated in the House. Are we using all of the available opportunities to access this funding? A proposal for the sharing of information across member states is on the European Commission's agenda for 2012. There is also a proposal regarding researchers from countries outside the European Union. More than 80% of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Colm Burke: Like Senator Quinn, I wish to raise the issue of the House's role. One of my proposals was on EU legislation. Yesterday, I highlighted the fact that the Commission has published its programme for 2012 and that there are 129 proposals for debate on its schedule. There is no reason that the Seanad cannot debate some of these issues and influence the decisions being made at European level. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Colm Burke: I refer to a report in today's edition of The Irish Times on the involvement of University College Cork in a €9 million project on wave energy. A centre in the university has been appointed to co-ordinate the programme in 28 research centres in 12 member states of the European Union. This emphasises a point I made yesterday about the importance of research and development. It would be...