Results 1-20 of 1,316 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for being here this morning. I have tabled this Commencement Matter on behalf of those who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, their families, teachers and friends and the society that represents those with dyslexia and dyspraxia. I am asking for an update from the Minister on what engagement the Department has had with the SEC on their request for extra time for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I welcome the fact the SEC acknowledges the increasing complexity, particularly in terms of special educational needs and examination of students with special educational needs. I also welcome the fact the SEC has committed to undertaking and will undertake a full and comprehensive review of the arrangements that are in place. The accommodations...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This is the last Order of Business for this Seanad and, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I thank Martin, Bridget and all of the staff in the Seanad Office, the Head Usher and all of the ushers in both Houses for their courtesy, support, co-operation and dedication. It has been a huge privilege for me personally to serve in this Seanad and it has been a privilege for my colleagues....

Seanad: Amendment to Seanad Standing Orders: Motion (23 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Senators for bringing the motion this evening and I thank the secretariat for drafting the motion so expertly. I sympathise with the proposer on his experience of the duplicity of a former Taoiseach. I cannot speak to that or account for it, or I certainly cannot apologise for it. I reject the insinuation that Chairs who are supported by Government are somehow impartial or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I want to start by offering my condolences to the family and friends of Liam Payne. It was very sad news overnight and I extend my condolences. I welcome the update from the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Martin, on the work he and his Department are doing as part of UNIFIL to support our troops deployed in the Middle East and Lebanon. The Minister is working with 16...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank all the witnesses for coming in and for their submissions. Professor Comiskey made one comment I would like to understand better. She referred to tackling decriminalisation but do not decriminalise. I think that is what I heard.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Okay. What would the Professor's opinion be?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am sorry for interrupting. It is specifically looking at decriminalising the individual.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Okay.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank Professor Comiskey for that comment. Turning to the nurse prescribing issue, I am not very familiar with health legislation. I cannot understand why clinical decisions would be captured in any legislation. Those are for clinical professionals to make. Can Professor Comiskey please explain to me why it is the legislation that is dictating nurse prescribing of methadone?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: No. I got the timeline and read it. Can Dr. Kelly help me to understand the thinking behind it being captured in legislation?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Are all controlled drugs controlled under legislation?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We can go and find this out ourselves, but do the witnesses have any insight into why methadone was captured in the legislation? I ask this because it just seems bizarre to me.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I can imagine it just does not seem to make any sense at all on a practical basis in an accident and emergency room situation.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Okay.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Regarding the trade union representatives for the various professionals who would be involved in implementing a change, if such a change to allow for nurse prescribing were affected in legislation, have all the trade unions bought into the proposal? The easier way to answer this question might be to tell us which of them do not support such a change.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: They are deprioritised.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I think it is inherent and a consequence of our attitude towards drugs. There is no fundamental, comprehensive commitment to having a health-led approach. This is probably the reason the situation is as it is. The issue was raised of real and strategic investment in the human resources needed to properly respond to, address and care for addiction.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I guess it was a reactive thing initially. There was an expectation or hope, however naive it was, that it would be a short-term emergency thing. There has never been a real acknowledgement that this is something real - it is here, it is going to be here for the long term and it needs to be invested in and resourced.