Dáil debates

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

  • Prelude (0 speeches)
    Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m.
  • Leaders' Questions (120 speeches)
    Thousands of students and their families are marching to Leinster House today. Those students are deeply concerned about their future, about the Government's plans, its commitments and promises....
  • Order of Business (90 speeches)
    It is proposed to take No. 15, statements on the Report on Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016, to adjourn on the conclusion of questions and answers today; No. 12, motion re Tribunal...
  • Advertising, Labelling and Presentation of Fast Food at Fast Food Outlets Bill 2011: First Stage (5 speeches)
    I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision for rules governing the advertising, labelling and presentation of fast food at fast food outlets.
  • An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011 — An Chéad Chéim, Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (The President) Bill 2011 — First Stage (4 speeches)
    Tairgim: Go gceadófar go dtabharfar isteach Bille dá ngairtear Acht chun an Bunreacht a leasú. I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Constitution.
  • Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Statements (29 speeches)
    Last week I set out the Government's capital spending programme for the next five years. It was part of a series of important announcements leading up to budget day. It commenced with my...
  • Visit of Hungarian Delegation (1 speech)
    Before we move on, we have some distinguished visitors and I would like to welcome them. I wish on my own behalf and that of the Members of Dáil Éireann to offer a céad míle fáilte, a most...
  • Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Statements (Resumed) (53 speeches)
    On the same matter-----
  • Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (17 speeches)
    I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the terms of reference contained in the Resolution passed by Dáil Éireann on 23 March, 2005 and by Seanad Éireann on 24 March, 2005, as amended by the...
  • Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (1 speech)
    Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Irish Film Board Act 1980.
  • Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (1 speech)
    I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011, has a simple but important objective, namely, to increase the statutory limit on the cumulative...
  • Priority Questions (0 speeches)
    • Third Level Funding (11 speeches)
      Question 1: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he intends to publish the report by the Higher Education Authority into funding for third level; if he will commit to publishing it...
    • Special Educational Needs (6 speeches)
      Question 2: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the sanctioning of special needs transport by a special education needs organiser is subject to the limitations of the National...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 speeches)
      Question 3: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if reports that he intends to reduce significantly the number of teachers are correct; if so the number of same; if an impact assessment...
    • State Examinations (6 speeches)
      Question 5: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the resources he envisages that are needed for his proposed reform of the junior certificate; his views that there is a need for the...
  • Other Questions (0 speeches)
    • State Examinations (4 speeches)
      Question 6: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by teachers of history and geography regarding the future status of those...
    • School Staffing (4 speeches)
      Question 7: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify his reference to upward pressures on teacher numbers due primarily to higher retention levels at post-primary level...
    • Schools Building Projects (5 speeches)
      Question 8: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain the rationale behind his plans to build new schools in the Tallaght area, Dublin, at a time when it has failed to...
    • Departmental Expenditure (18 speeches)
      Question 9: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the total allocation for his capital budget for 2011 will be spent this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34770/11]
    • Special Educational Needs (8 speeches)
      Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of the 475 special needs assistant posts that were withheld, have been allocated to date; and if he will give a commitment...
    • Third Level Remuneration (6 speeches)
      Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he has taken to address the fact that 99 employees in the higher education sector are earning more than €200,000 despite...
    • Vocational Education Committees (8 speeches)
      Question 12: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the particular duties or work that will be assigned to offices that are designated as sub-offices with the proposed re-configuration of...
    • School Curriculum (4 speeches)
      Question 13: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the role that the study of history plays in the development of literacy skills in second level schools; and if he...
    • Special Educational Needs (8 speeches)
      Question 14: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention had been drawn to delays in processing applications for children attending special needs schools and who want to avail...
    • Bullying in Schools (6 speeches)
      Question 15: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the rise in incidents of alleged child bullying and the role of some principals and staff in...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio (12 speeches)
      Question 16: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his view that any increase in the pupil teacher ratio at second level will seriously impact on the career and study options of our...
    • School Curriculum (6 speeches)
      Question 17: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs regarding the level of achievement in maths amongst students here;...
  • Topical Issue Matters (1 speech)
    I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 27A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Nicky McFadden - the...
  • Topical Issue Debate (0 speeches)
    • Mental Health Awareness (4 speeches)
      I welcome the opportunity afforded to me by this debate to highlight the need for stigma-reducing and mental health education in Irish schools. As a country we must ensure that our children and...
    • National Drugs Strategy (4 speeches)
      Amidst the discourse on the economic crisis the drugs crisis has been forgotten. It would be wrong for that to happen given the new report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug...
    • Care of the Elderly (36 speeches)
      The three Deputies should have a total of four minutes. I will be as liberal as possible and I ask them to limit their remarks to two minutes each. We will make up the time as we go along.
  • Visit of Former UK Minister (3 speeches)
    Before I commence, I would like to welcome former UK Minister, Mr. Chris Mullin, who is in the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery.
  • Topical Issue Debate (Resumed) (0 speeches)
    • Private Rented Accommodation (4 speeches)
      This issue has been a running sore for a long time, namely, the withholding of the deposits of tenants in private rented accommodation. While this problem has been around for many decades...
  • Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (61 speeches)
    Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
  • Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (0 speeches)
    Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
  • Report by the Interdepartmental Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (Resumed) (3 speeches)
    The Keane report favours bankers over the ordinary person. This is hardly surprising considering the make-up of the group which put together the report - 17 officials from Departments, three...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • Mental Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (17 speeches)
      In the earlier part of my contribution last night, I referred to recent decisions which do not augur well for the delivery of mental health care in this State. The Health Service Executive, HSE,...