Results 3,021-3,040 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: As the Taoiseach also seems to be getting frustrated with the procedures here, perhaps he will at some stage encourage and support Dáil reform. However, we will move on from that. When will the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) No. 1 Bill be published? What is happening with the local government Bill to give effect to the €200 charge on non-principal private residences? Will it be...

Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: What about the rest of them?

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on a recent recommendation by the National Competitiveness Council that bonus points for higher level leaving certificate mathematics should be given immediate consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12192/09]

State Examinations. (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Does the Minister agree that part of the problem is that students are afraid of failing the higher level leaving certificate mathematics examination? If they fail higher-level leaving certificate mathematics they are immediately disqualified from many third level courses. Does the Minister have any research information on the number of students who study to higher level standard and then on...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: I am aghast that two Ministers of State who were supposed to speak have not appeared for tonight's debate. They must be so extraordinarily busy that they did not need to turn up. Ministers should be here for the entire debate. I sat here through the debate last night and tonight. Ministers come and go. They come in, make a brief contribution and leave again. It shows the contempt with...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: I was due to sum up but no speakers were present on the other side. I do not know how I can sum up a second time. Does this mean I can continue until 8.30 p.m.?

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: If I give way to the Minister of State, I cannot respond again.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: In order to be helpful, would it be in order if I gave way to the Minister of State and I then came in a second time?

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: It was not our problem because we were here when the Government people were not. I will continue and to be fair to the Minister of State——

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: That is fair enough. I will continue. We welcome what is happening with regard to Seanad reform. The only Dáil reform I have seen in my time in the House has been the arrangement for the Taoiseach not to attend the Dáil on Thursdays and Leaders' Questions being introduced, which was a motion put forward by Fine Gael. There is talk of extending the sitting time to Fridays but I...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Quangos should be subject to scrutiny in this House by way of parliamentary questions. These are three areas in which change could be introduced immediately. In fairness to the Ceann Comhairle — I do not wish to draw him into the debate too much — he facilitated a discussion between us in this regard. Currently there exists an official standing sub-committee on Dáil reform, namely, the...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: We are being listened to.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: If the Minister of State had been in the House earlier, he could have listened to the debate.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Absolutely.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: That is the important thing.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: It is a question of perception.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: And no questions.

Written Answers — Foreign Direct Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (26 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Finance his latest assessment of tax changes in the USA which might adversely affect Irish interests; and the initiatives he has taken to try to pre-empt such moves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/09]

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: Question 151: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress he has made in drafting the Sale of Alcohol Bill; when he expects to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12756/09]

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

David Stanton: It was about the work they do.