Results 1-20 of 771 for speaker:Duncan Smith in 'Dáil debates'

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: We too in the Labour Party welcome this Bill. Transparency in healthcare is vital so that we as legislators know the areas that need improvement and can take action more swiftly, when needed. Amending the Health Act 2007 to give the Chief Inspector of Social Services new powers and to make amendments to existing provisions relating to enforcement, and the collection, sharing and publication...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I will be sharing with my colleague Deputy Ó Ríordáin. Despite some progress in recent years, there are still significant gaps and disparities that persist in our special education system. Too many students and children are being hindered from full inclusion and participation in our schools. Too many children are being left behind and deprived of the support and resources...

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I hope the Tánaiste had the opportunity last weekend to read Erica Tierney's article in The Irish Times. Ms Tierney wrote about her experience of being pregnant while diagnosed with breast cancer. She finished her treatment on 30 April 2020, and one week later was informed by the Department of Social Protection that her maternity leave had run out. Ms Tierney is the inspiration behind...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I come to the Tánaiste with a serious request that he work with Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works, in tandem with Fingal County Council, to provide further emergency coastal protection measures on Brook Beach in Portrane. There is a long-term solution for sea groynes to protect the houses and community there but...

Disability Justice: Motion [Private Members] (17 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Solidarity-People Before Profit for tabling this really welcome motion. The Government's decision to scrap the Green Paper on Disability Reform last week was the right thing to do but it should never have been presented in the first place. It took much too long to scrap it. Activists in this area deserve much praise for the pressure they exerted on the Government. The truth of the...

National Cancer Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (16 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion. It is important that we are honest about the failings of this Government on cancer care. I had hoped that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, perhaps on Daffodil Day on 22 March or as part of, or instead of, a countermotion, would have announced a commitment to funding a national cancer strategy in the upcoming budget. It would not have...

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Second Stage (16 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Auto-enrolment is an issue that has long been talked about. We are glad that we now have a Bill before us. We have reservations about some aspects of the more detailed elements but broadly speaking are supportive of its provisions. The impetus behind auto-enrolment is to address the pension coverage gap and to take steps towards improving the financial security of people in retirement....

Anniversary of the Introduction of the Smoking Ban: Statements (11 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the statements marking the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the smoking ban. It is appropriate for me as a Labour Party TD to speak about the key role the labour movement played in the introduction of smoke-free workplaces, as well as acknowledging the Tánaiste's leadership on this issue when he was Minister for Health. The trade union...

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government (9 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Go back to your caves

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (9 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: We face significant challenges throughout the country as regards access to special education. The special education teacher, SET, allocation for schools for 2024-25 needs to be revisited. One school in Swords in my constituency will face a decrease of 12.5 hours, which means it will lose a number of programmes, including one-to-one teaching, it has in place for children with additional...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: I would like to open by expressing our sincere condolences with the family of Saoírse Ruane. Young Saoírse touched the heart of the nation when she appeared on the "Late Late Toy Show" in 2020 and spoke about her experience with cancer. Cancer is a disease that has impacted every family in some manner. We need to do everything possible to work towards a world in which this is not...

Rare Diseases: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: Last week, I met with the Alliance of Rare Diseases Companies Ireland, which made one thing very clear: the current reimbursement system is not fit for purpose. We need a system that is clear, predictable and time-bound, with fixed assessment criteria and, most important, one that facilitates immediate or early access to rare disease therapies. As the Minister mentioned in his own...

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: On a point of order, in relation to Deputy O'Donoghue's contribution, whatever about the slings and arrows and banter back and forth, there was a number of references to straitjackets there. This House has done a lot of work in relation to mental health.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: We have debates on mental health. I would ask that the Deputy withdraw that remark.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: The Deputy should withdraw-----

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is not befitting of this House.

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is not befitting of this House.

Supporting People with Disabilities and Carers: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Sinn Féin for introducing this important motion. Every time we debate disabilities and carers in the Dáil, a structural issue arises. We have an issue like we had in UHL today, for example. The matter is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. If we are talking about taxation reform, the Minister for Finance is responsible, and so on, but responsibility for...

Child and Youth Mental Health: Statements (29 Feb 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is seven months since the Mental Health Commission published its final report on child and adolescent mental health services. Earlier this week, we heard that the Government does not want to regulate CAMHS now, choosing instead to wait until the summer session of the Dáil to introduce its own Bill for that purpose. We do not yet have sight of that Bill. Those of us involved in...