Results 28,401-28,420 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I know that at the moment Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are looking pretty on the plinth but, in all honesty, could I answer the Deputy's questions?

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy for having the sense to recognise that even if a person is planning a household budget for a week, he or she would have to sit down and do a bit of preparation. If a Department is planning a new system for a significant payment to most households in the country, of course there must be a project team and an implementation plan. That is just good business management and...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I would like to say, in particular for the benefit of people who may be listening to this debate, that my Department will put in all of the required resources to ensure the successful delivery of the water conservation grant of €100. I accept what the Deputy said that many people are concerned about this. They are concerned about having proper clean water in this country for...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: -----in this House, as there always is.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: In regard to the water protesters, the protest against our President, who holds an office under the Constitution which is above politics, was inappropriate and unwelcome.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: The most important development for 2015, and for 2014, was the allocation of significant additional resources for the Health Service Executive. I understand people would like it to have even more resources, as would I, but we were able to devote very significant additional resources last year in Supplementary Estimates, and for this year as well. As the Deputy stated, the survey shows...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: -----with a focus on very long waiters such as people who have been waiting longer than certain periods-----

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: -----with nobody to wait longer than 18 months. The outcome of this survey shows we are very good at certain things but we have difficulties in other areas, and the authors specifically reference the issue of the difficulties arising in respect of abortion in this country.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: Before Christmas, I co-launched with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, the dementia strategy for Ireland based on funding both from the HSE and from Atlantic Philanthropies, which would be centred on the precise points the Deputy is making to assist older people in particular to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The Deputy will see that around the country there...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: It is proposed to take No. 8, the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Second and Remaining Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings in relation to No. 1 shall be taken not later than 2.30 p.m. today and shall, if not previously...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: It was agreed.

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I appreciate from what Deputy Martin is saying that he has only just been told about this important issue.

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I understood when I was arranging to take the Order of Business this morning that this matter had been agreed between the Whips, having been before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the context of the relevant changes in Standing Orders that are required. I was advised that the Whips had reached agreement on that. To be clear, the purpose of this Bill is to empower the Central...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy knows, the Central Bank operates with the European Central Bank.

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I would like to make a point about the work of the banking inquiry so far. As the Deputy and I know from the public reports of the banking inquiry, there is very serious legal advice about how the members of that inquiry have to conduct themselves for the inquiry to proceed successfully. They are under heavy advice about how to conduct themselves. My understanding this morning was that...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: The reason for next week's change in Standing Orders is very simple. If the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2014 is passed by the House, it will have to go to the President for signature.

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: The changes to the Standing Orders cannot happen until that has been done. It is for that reason and no other that the consequential changes will come before the House next week. My understanding is that this was agreed among and between the Whips.

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I appreciate that this issue is of importance to Deputies on all sides of the House. Frankly, both parties in government would have welcomed a debate on this issue. That is why, in ordering the business of the House for the week, we provided for such a debate. As the statement read by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle indicates, however, the Ceann Comhairle had a legal contact from the former...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: In his statement, the Ceann Comhairle said: "A matter shall not be raised in such an overt manner so that it appears to be an attempt by the Dáil to encroach on the functions of the court or a judicial tribunal." There was evidence of Standing Order 57(2), but the Ceann Comhairle has made it clear in that statement that his legal advice was guidance in respect of Standing Order...

Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand that the Government Whip has requested a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Ceann Comhairle, who rules this House, is absolutely independent in the exercise of his functions. We would have welcomed the debate just as much as the Opposition. However, if the Committee on Procedure and Privileges meets, as requested by the Government Whip, perhaps the...