Results 81-100 of 309 for speaker:Keith Swanick

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Apr 2017)

Keith Swanick: I wish to inform the House that the other day I wrote to the management, shareholders and directors of MidLink M7/M8 Limited to complain in the strongest terms about the treatment of the Carrick-on-Suir water rescue service. As we all know, a Herculean effort is being made in Erris to bring home the bodies of Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith. Last weekend almost 1,000 people were involved...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to take this matter. I am hopeful she will be able to allay the fears of the communities of Elphin and Strokestown who are hearing reports of the potential closure of one or both of their health centres once the new primary care centre opens in Boyle, County Roscommon. The opening of the new centre is warmly welcomed. Providing dental...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome that the HSE has advised no decision has been made to close the health centres in Elphin and Strokestown. While the Minister of State has said some services may be relocated, she acknowledged that where a GP remains in a health centre, it will remain open. It is a very important point. Once a health centre is staffed by a GP, the health centre...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Closures (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I will be very brief. I thank my colleague, Senator Gallagher, for allowing me to share his time on this very important issue. The closure of the Sacred Heart unit in Dungarvan is absolutely devastating to the community and will send shivers down the spines of other community hospitals which are experiencing the same issues with recruitment. Most hospitals are only a couple of staff away...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Closures (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I acknowledge the temporary measure of this arrangement. However, as the Minister of State will accept from my experience working in medicine, when hospital beds are closed temporarily, they tend not to open again. I also acknowledge the measure was introduced for patient safety arrangements. Can the Minister of State put a timeline on this? How long will it take for these beds to...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I welcome Mr. Darren Aylward and his colleagues from Scoil Aireagail in Ballyhale. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 16, Declaration of Independence Day Bill, be taken before No. 1. It seeks to have 21 January 1919 declared as independence day.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: Yes.

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: First Stage (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled Bill entitled an Act to recognise the meeting of the First Dáil and the Declaration of Independence made on 21 January 1919 and to provide for a “Declaration of Independence Day” to be held on 21 January annually and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017: First Stage (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 May 2017)

Keith Swanick: The Fianna Fáil Party did not propose any amendments to this Bill. We believe that the measures that have helped to avoid drug-induced death should be taken, yet we see this as a pilot programme that will lead to regular reviews. We have many questions regarding the function of such facilities that we hope will be teased out through protocol. An amendment we had considered submitting...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works Properties (21 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: I warmly welcome the Minister of State to the House on his first official engagement here. Before I speak on the specific topic, I want to publicly put on the record of the House my praise for the Minister of State for the bravery he has displayed in recent weeks in highlighting his battle with literacy and the challenges it poses in his life. His actions have spoken louder than any words...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works Properties (21 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State for his response and his enthusiasm on the subject. I hope very much that this will be carried through to Cabinet and that the proposal will succeed.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: Everyone is aware that, according to the WHO, half of all users of tobacco will die from it. The tobacco industry is no friend to anyone and most definitely not to the people who are, unfortunately, addicted to the product. The Senators will recall that I have been campaigning for some time on the incredible situation whereby the State held investments in some of these tobacco companies...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, on his appointment and welcome him to the House. I thank Senator Freeman for introducing this important legislation, which Fianna Fáil is happy to support. This Bill, which proposes to end the practice of admitting children to adult psychiatric units, legislates for what is already the stated policy of the HSE and the Department of...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Children's Mental Health Services: Discussion (29 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: I thank Lauren, Paula, Louise, Sinéad and Martina for their contributions. I fully agree with them that they are warriors. This is a fantastic initiative and I fully endorse this public consultation process. My comments are made not only as a Senator and a general practitioner, GP, but, most importantly, as the dad of two young children. The overwhelming message I get from today's...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Children's Mental Health Services: Discussion (29 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: It was mentioned that the services in this area are disjointed. What is the view of the witnesses in regard to the primary care element investing more in the community? Would that prevent the type of crisis intervention mentioned?

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Children's Mental Health Services: Discussion (29 Jun 2017)

Keith Swanick: I totally agree with Ms Walsh's assessment of resources. When I see a child who is depressed, if he or she is not actively suicidal and I refer them to CAMHS, I would have no problem with him or her waiting four weeks or whatever to be assessed. However, there needs to be a crisis helpline for health professionals whereby, if the child is actively suicidal, there are ring-fenced...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Jul 2017)

Keith Swanick: I also welcome Councillor Coyle to the Chamber. I thank the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this very important issue. As he is aware, my patients are in fear because the treatment they so badly require could be in jeopardy due to the constant staffing crisis which is crippling our health system. I have listened with great sadness and shame, as has the Minister of State, to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Jul 2017)

Keith Swanick: I would be grateful if the Minister of State could convey my concerns to the Minister.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Jul 2017)

Keith Swanick: I thank the Minister of State and I appreciate his response. I appreciate the fact that he did not mention the adolescent scoliosis patients being transferred from Tallaght Hospital to the Mater Hospital. My concern today, of course, relates to the adult scoliosis patients. I am glad to hear that approval has been granted for a new consultant to be appointed after September 2017. Will the...