National maternity services in Ireland – Health Committee hearing
I thank Dr. Fitzpatrick. That was a fantastic, passionate presentation. I have seldom been as impressed by or as proud of a professional colleague sitting in that chair as I am of him right now, calling it as it is. However, I am not overly confident that all the things he has said will actually … Continue reading
Transplant Services – any forward planning?
[Speaking in the Seanad on a Motion on Transplant Patient Services] I thank the Minister for coming in at short notice. I know it is difficult. I should mention at the outset that I have a dog in this fight, as they say in the vernacular, because I am a member of staff at St. … Continue reading
Health – Transplant Services; Waiting Lists; Breast Cancer Drugs; Vaccination Rates
[Speaking in the Seanad during Order of Business] I also request that the Minister come in and update us on the transplant situation. Over the past few years, those in charge of transplant policy in the country have felt it has been very unco-ordinated. We have seen other examples of problems in the health service … Continue reading
Heart (TAVI) Operations Suffering Due to a Lack of Co-ordinated Planning and Funding by the HSE
Speaking in the Seanad during Commencement Matters on “The need for the Minister for Health to address the inadequate and inefficient organisation of the TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implant) programs across the State, causing delays and lengthy waiting lists for patients.” Watch the video of this short debate here: Senator John Crown: Cuirim fáilte roimh … Continue reading
Seanad Reform
[Speaking in the Seanad during Statements on the Report of Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015] I welcome my two esteemed colleagues and thank them for the great work they have done in a spirit of public service. Any departures I might have from the consensus that may have existed within its group about its … Continue reading
My speech from last night’s ‘Malicious Communications’ debate
Speaking in the Seanad during Second Stage of the Harmful and Malicious Electronic Communications Bill 2015. This is a Bill presented by Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins. While I respect the sentiments which have motivated the Bill, I must, with regret, oppose it because we do not have a first amendment in Ireland. If we did, … Continue reading
Social and Educational Factors of Obesity
[Speaking in the Seanad during Statements on Tackling Obesity in Ireland] I welcome the Minister and I am sorry I was not in the House for his opening address. I welcome the priority he and the Government will give to this problem. Many of his medical school classmates, younger women and men than me, will … Continue reading
A little box ticked for an election promise but a long way to go
[Speaking in the Seanad during Second Stage of the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015) I welcome the extension of the provisions to the over-70s. It is overdue and while it is, as the Minister of State has said, a step along the road, it is a very long road and a lot needs to … Continue reading
New effective but expensive cancer treatments and tax changes for revenue raising for medical treatment
[Speaking in the Seanad during Order of Business] I will give some good and some bad news and in the process ask the Deputy Leader and the representatives of the Government parties to communicate to the Minister for Health and possibly to schedule a debate in this Chamber on an issue that has become a … Continue reading
Unprecedented Meltdown in the Health Service
[Speaking in the Seanad during Order of Business] I know that I am beginning to sound like a broken record and that the attention of many in the Oireachtas has been distracted by other events which will take place in the first quarter of 2016. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that there … Continue reading
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