Results 59,641-59,660 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister should be brave and push out the boat. I do not know how far he can push it in two minutes.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: There are such things as informed sources.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister should never doubt the sincerity of the Opposition.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I understand the point the Minister has made about his amendment No. 14, which provides for consultation with the joint Oireachtas committee. Amendment No. 15, in the name of Deputy O'Dowd, refers to the Minister. There is a presumption that Ministers are accountable to the Oireachtas. The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is splitting hairs. Implicit in his remarks is the suggestion that sending...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: A similar degree of accountability cannot be associated with Oireachtas committees. It depends on how the committee in question operates. Some Ministers see Oireachtas committees as appendages of their Departments. We have had that experience in the past. Oireachtas committees are part of Parliament and as parliamentary bodies, their role is to safeguard the interests of the public and,...

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: In view of obvious unease in the investment area, would it be wise to introduce as soon as possible, though obviously not before the beginning of the next session, legislation to update collective investment schemes?

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: That is the Bill.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: There is no date. That is not very reassuring for investors. Now that hair shirts seek to become fashionable again, the cleaning services should be put on guard and, in that context, the money laundering services Bill should be a means of discussing that general area.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Another one for mañana.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: That is not how it looks.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Deputy Broughan is correct. We had occasion in the past to reach the conclusion that certain policy directives were leaked to the regulator in the instance to which the Minister referred and as a result action was taken by the regulator who had no accountability to this House. We were in no position to question the regulator. To come back to this amendment, I support Deputy Broughan on the...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely, we will always give the Minister credit even when we do not agree with him.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 10: In page 15, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(f) provide and issue licenses under the Road Transport Act 1932 for public transport operators operating within the GDA.". The amendment was debated on Committee Stage and I ask the Minister for a response.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear. We need to know about this.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It is off the rails.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It has gone off the rails.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Well done.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.