John Gormley

5. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding the mission of Irish soldiers to be deployed to Lebanon; the number of troops involved; their duties; the locations where they will be stationed; if the overall mission is required to disarm Hizbollah; if this deployment will require the approval of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/06]

(more…)

59. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence the further developments in Ireland’s involvement with EU battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32267/06]

(more…)

100. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children when the request for a treatment centre and after care service for the greater Drogheda area made by the Drogheda Community Drugs and Alcohol Forum will be granted; her views on whether a treatment centre such as the one requested is vital and essential, in view of the alarming increase in drug and alcohol abuse in the community in general and the increase in population in the greater Drogheda area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32449/06]

(more…)

 Mr. Gormley: The Green Party cannot agree to this proposal as any motion to send troops abroad should be debated in this House.  This mission to Lebanon is not without risk and could be one of our more dangerous missions.  While the Taoiseach might argue that it is not a chapter 7 mission, Condoleezza Rice noted that Resolution 1701 has chapter 7 powers in all but name.  Consequently, this matter should be debated in this House. (later)   The Taoiseach: If the Whips can consider the matter, we can have the debate first or afterwards - I do not mind.  I will give a commitment to have a debate.  The Government Whip should talk to the Minister for Defence.  The debate can be held before the motion goes to committee or we can allow it go to the committee and have the debate on its return, depending on what is agreed to by the Whips.  I agree with the principle of a debate.

Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the major cut in funding for St Michael’s House, which currently has the longest waiting list for those awaiting residential care, the need for the Minister for Health and Children to recognise the outstanding work being carried out by St Michael’s House for those with intellectual disability and to reverse these so-called value for money cuts immediately.

An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised they are not in order under Standing Order 31.

242. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Finland in early October 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/06] (more…)

Mr. Gormley: The Taoiseach told us this morning that the Government had not buckled in the face of pressure from the tobacco industry. However, is it not fair to say that it has kowtowed to the alcohol industry by removing the alcohol products Bill from the legislative programme?

(more…)

765. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the discovery of a venomous snake in Kerry in August; the facilities that are in place in this country to deal with snake bites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29680/06]

(more…)

109. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the background of companies involved in public private partnerships; and if she has satisfied herself that the Irish taxpayer will receive value for money from the co-location projects. [30010/06]

(more…)

164. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the PPARS project, the cost to date, what has been delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29556/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of the health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to have the matter investigated and to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.