Results 32,221-32,240 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: On promised legislation, and arising from concerns expressed by the Chief Justice, is it intended to bring forward any of the Bills that may have a bearing on backlogs or waiting lists in the various courts, particularly the higher courts? I refer specifically to the courts (consolidation and reform) Bill, criminal procedure Bill and Probation Service Bill. Is it intended to bring forward...

Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Do not mention it.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy has one and a half minutes remaining.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Yes. Tough.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Deputies Michael McNamara, Regina Doherty and Joe O'Reilly are sharing time.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I call Deputies Catherine Murphy, Finian McGrath and Ross, who will share a slot of 20 minutes. They will have approximately six minutes each.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this particularly important legislation, which gives legal effect to the budget. It is necessary to retrace one's steps for a few moments to consider recent history before one comes to conclusions as to what is the best medicine at present. A famous event in the history of this country once was described as the birth of a terrible beauty and in...

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I would love to have 33 minutes but one must make do with what one has. Let us not do damage to the morale and moral fibre of our people before the auction even starts. Let us not break them by telling them we have a magic solution. Deputies will recall that there was no magic solution in 1977. On the contrary, we had disaster and disillusionment after the election, as we did after the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of any progress made through the aegis of the EU or UN towards achieving some consensus on the situation in Syria with particular reference to achieving a common approach with the objective of a cessation of hostilities and some provision to alleviate the hardship and human rights abuses arising from the war; and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps the international community continue to make to bring about a resolution to the conflict in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9274/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will indicate the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the extent to which aid intended for specific countries and or projects actually reaches its destination unimpeded; the degree to which he continues to receive confirmation from the NGOs to this effect or otherwise; the most efficient method of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which overseas development aid donations continue to be monitored with a view to ensuring that criterion is strictly observed in terms of the intended donors obtaining maximum benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9279/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which information has been made available to him or his Department arising from the on-going detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied), in Sri Lanka; if their continued detention and the procedures to date followed by the authorities there are in accord with international law and human rights principles;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues, it has been found possible to engage with the authorities in Pakistan in the aftermath of the shooting of a person (details supplied) with a view to establishing support for the views she holds and has highlighted; if the authorities in her home country are amenable to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues continue to encourage and support the peaceful evolution of structures in the Western Balkans with particular reference to ensuring compliance with the EU acquis communautaire, in preparation for EU Membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which EU enlargement continues to remain a central issue at EU Council meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the priority list in respect of EU enlargement; the degree to which the various preparatory procedures have been complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9271/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Exports Growth (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade based on the performance over the past two years, the countries in Europe or worldwide that present the best prospects for increased trade with this country in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9272/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union Membership (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which contingency plans are in preparation in the event of the United Kingdom opting out of the European Union with particular reference to trade between this country and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9273/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tourism Promotion (20 Feb 2013)

Bernard Durkan: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it is expected to use the St Patrick's Day feast day celebrations worldwide to promote the national image and explore and expand trade and commercial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9275/13]