Results 1-11 of 11 for freedom of information speaker:Damien English

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (9 Sep 2020)

Damien English: I thank both Deputies Nash and Munster for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to respond on behalf of my Department and its Minister, Deputy Humphreys. 3 o’clock I understand the dispute relates to issues, including a collective agreement, among others that have developed over the past couple of months. I emphasise that Ireland's system of industrial relations is...

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I would like to address a couple of issues that have arisen during the debate. Deputies have expressed concern about how the citizens’ assembly will work. We have also heard a great deal of praise for the Constitutional Convention, which worked well in certain areas. I understand that the recommendations it made in certain areas are still outstanding. This new assembly will not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Tendering (5 Nov 2015)

Damien English: Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills, is obliged to provide services in line with the terms of the scheme in an impartial, uniform and equitable fashion nationally. The purpose of the Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote i.e. 3.2...

Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Jul 2015)

Damien English: ...places at once despite all he is able to do. The Government appreciates the concerns which Deputy Michael McGrath has attempted to address in the Bill. We know Deputy Michael McGrath's efforts and those of Fianna Fáil are genuine as it is an issue affecting a great many people. We all want to see the burden eased if at all possible. A monthly mortgage payment is the largest expense...

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Road Traffic Bill 2013. Yesterday we discussed the Freedom of Information Bill 2013, which attempts to restore the pre-2003 position. The Bill before us now reminds me of my early days in this House in 2002 and, prior to that, with Meath County Council, when road safety was a major issue. Unlike the Freedom of Information Bill, we are not seeking...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Damien English: The increase in fees in 2003 was responsible for a marked tailing off in interest in and use of freedom of information for many years, although the economic crisis facing the country and efforts to gain an understanding of how this could have happened helped spark a new interest. There is a financial cost in search and retrieval, and this must be realistically assessed and made known, but...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this legislation. In its short time in office the Rainbow Government of 1994 to 1997, led by a fellow Meath man, John Bruton, achieved great strides in opening up and modernising the State. The Freedom of Information Act 1997 was an important part of that programme. In introducing the Bill to the Dáil, the then Minister of...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2012)

Damien English: ...Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012. I wish to reflect on this reforming legislation, which, like the Health (Amendment) Bill discussed last week, represents another indication of fulfilment of a pre-election promise by the coalition Government, one for which the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, deserves credit and support....

Civil Partnership Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Damien English: ...progress for same-sex and cohabiting couples in their relationships. Its purpose is to establish a statutory civil partnership registration scheme for same-sex partnerships together with a range of rights, entitlements and protections consequent on registration, and to set out the manner in which such partnerships may be dissolved. The Bill also establishes a redress scheme for...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Oct 2008)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important Bill, which will bring about a number of changes. I wish to focus on advertising relating to religious orders, churches etc. This matter has been touched upon by previous speakers but I wish to comment on it in detail. The Bill represents an opportunity for the Minister to deal with this matter once and for all. Deputy...

Garda Reform: Statements (Resumed) (30 Nov 2006)

Damien English: There has been a fair extension of the time available and there is no rush on us. I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on Garda reform, the reports on which I also welcome. I acknowledge the time and knowledge the reports represent as a body of work. The people whose actions led to the publication of the reports are patriots in the truest sense. The whistleblowers who opened up...