Results 2,601-2,620 of 3,707 for speaker:Brian O'Shea

Community Development. (29 Jan 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Is the difficulty that Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta's funding has been reduced? Is there another element from within the Minister's Department, such as Coiste na Gaeilge, from which these posts could be financed?

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Jan 2009)

Brian O'Shea: The last point Deputy Byrne raised was the one on which I wanted to focus. Will the national drugs strategy focus on polydrug use and, in particular, alcohol use? There have been varying views in the Department about that, but drug abuse and alcohol use are so interlinked that there is no escaping that they must be dealt with together.

Written Answers — An Teanga Ghaeilge: An Teanga Ghaeilge (29 Jan 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 13: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a fhoilseofar an reachtaíocht nua chun teorainneacha na Gaeltachta a athrú agus chun sainmhíniú nua a dhéanamh ar an rud is Gaeltacht ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2604/09]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (29 Jan 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the third level grant application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2886/09]

Company Closure. (3 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment to make sure that she and the Government pursue every avenue to ensure the continuation of Waterford Crystal as a complete entity, to include manufacturing, to resolve all issues surrounding the pension fund and to deal with the difficulties that have arisen with regard to severance payments for former employees of Waterford...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she is satisfied that Directive 80/987/EEC is being complied with here; and her plans to amend legislation arising from a Court of Justice judgement (details supplied). [3216/09]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to secure the pension benefits of workers with defined benefit pensions. [3212/09]

Marine Accidents. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 100: To ask the Minister for Defence when a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with efforts to salvage the [i]Asgard II[/i]; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that the vessel may be further damaged by rough seas and fishing activity in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3654/09]

Marine Accidents. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I am glad to hear a decision is imminent. However, all the Minister knows at this stage, despite it being indicated in early December that there would be a second inspection of the vessel, is that the vessel is in an upright position. What is his advice on the current state of the vessel, given that it is located in very turbulent waters? Bearing in mind the fact that more damage can be...

Marine Accidents. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I take on board much of what the Minister has said. It is a question of where we will go from here. Even if the vessel is raised, its reconstruction will take a long period, so what will the Minister do to provide a temporary replacement training vessel? If it is decided not to salvage the Asgard, what will the Minister do about providing a replacement vessel? I very much hope that the...

Defence Forces Representative Associations. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the call made at its recent annual conference that PDFORRA should be allowed to join the Irish Congress of Trade Unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3655/09]

Defence Forces Representative Associations. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I am not quite sure whether the Minister said that this can happen with his consent — in other words, that PDFORRA can be affiliated to ICTU. If there is a will to do something, a legislative way can be found to do it. What is wrong with a situation, as sought by PDFORRA, whereby there would be no agenda for industrial action or to subvert the State in any way, but representatives of...

Defence Forces Representative Associations. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I accept the Minister's good will in the matter and his willingness to see the situation move forward as far as is practicable. I understand he suggests the door is open for PDFORRA to make an appropriate application to him, that he will look on it as favourably as possible and will seek to facilitate its request in so far as he can. If changes are required, the Minister should, having...

Army Barracks. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: It strikes me that in the context of the cuts indicated between 2009 and 2013 some discussion must have taken place with regard to further barracks closures. The level of cutbacks this year is €2 billion and it will be €4 billion next year and the year after, €3.5 billion the following year and €3 billion the year after that. Is it realistic for the Minister to tell the House that...

Defence Forces Pay. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I take it from what the Minister has said that the levy will apply to all Defence Forces personnel. If so, does he consider it fair that personnel in relatively low-paid ranks will have to pay it? Will it apply to allowances, such as that paid in respect of service in Chad?

Defence Forces Pay. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: The total reduction for the Department of Defence is to be €140 million, €50 million of which was to be used to make the pay award on 1 September. This award is now not being paid. This €50 million stays with the Exchequer. However, I am not quite clear on a certain figure. The statement on the Department's position indicates there will be pay and non-pay savings but I find it hard...

Crime Prevention. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: In the context of the considerable savings being sought at present, is there not a case for a much more integrated approach in regard to the effort of the Defence Forces, Customs and Excise and Garda Síochána to combat the drugs problem? Many in the fishing industry in Ireland contend there is not sufficient or effective surveillance of vessels fishing illegally in our territorial waters....

Crime Prevention. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: I do not wish to give the impression that I do not believe good progress has been made. I do not have any illusions about anything close to all shipments coming into the country being intercepted. I recall reading that on the south coast of England local people were employed to walk the coastline because they would be able to identify any strange ships, whereas a stranger would not be able...

Crime Prevention. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: Firearms are also being brought in with some of the drug shipments.

Bullying in the Workplace. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian O'Shea: The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces recently appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence, Equality and Women's Rights and I was heartened by what she had to say regarding the complaints being made and the culture in the Defence Forces. I asked her whether the culture in the Army was that one should not let the side down whatever one's complaint and one should keep...