Results 3,241-3,260 of 4,404 for speaker:Liz McManus

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: It is baffling why it is taking so long, especially when the Department has already had the experience with phase I. Perhaps the Minister can bring us through the process going back to last July. What exactly was involved? Were there a lot of meetings or is there a lot of documentation? What exactly went on over that period that it should take so long?

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Is the Minister not curious about this? Surely he has an interest in the way things work in his Department. Has he never ask why in God's name it is taking forever to do a relatively simple contract?

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Perhaps I can put the question another way. The situation is puzzling. The reason there has been a drop of 10% in electricity prices is because of the deferral of charges. The Minister of State said in his response that there would not be a further reduction in October. Where then do we get the benefit of the reduction in oil prices? Gas prices are tied in with oil prices and there has...

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: We are not.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: The most recent increase was over 17%. We are now getting a 10% reduction, but that does not bring us back to where we were. The Minister clearly does not know the answer to the question, but will he ask the regulator for the information as to when we will see the effect of the drop in the cost of oil and gas in the price charged for electricity by the ESB?

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: I want the Minister of State to ask the regulator because I do not believe the Minister of State knows the answer.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the merits of functional or structural separation of Eircom; his preference regarding same; the position regarding local loop unbundling here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/09]

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 34: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his intention to transfer the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid; the timeframe for publication of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/09]

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 207: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the possibility of the promised diaspora channel going ahead in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10559/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the grant aid agreed during Budget 2009 will be upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11997/09]

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 284: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will renew the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Russia before the Adoption Bill is passed; if her attention has been drawn to the couples who are in the process of adopting children from Russia; their position if this agreement ceases; the way she will deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement...

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 857: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the merits of implementing a climate change Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11230/09]

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 858: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he attended the most recent environment Ministers meeting at EU level; the position he took at that meeting regarding climate change targets; the steps he is taking at EU level to push for EU targets to be increased to 30%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11231/09]

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 917: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are plans for an oral hearing on safety concerns, including danger of the valve station at Glengad, in relation to Corrib gas in County Mayo; his views on the impact on the local environment; his further views on the possible benefits to the economy arising from the gas coming on stream; and if he...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (24 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 919: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reconsider a total ban on eel fishing; if he will issue a comprehensive survey of eel stock here; his views on the eel fisheries that remain open across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11229/09]

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: We all know this budget will be tough but we have no guarantee it will be fair. In fact, the record of this Government so far has been to attack the vulnerable and protect the powerful. It is a Government bloated with too many Ministers of State, but there is the honourable exception of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dick Roche who has a valuable task and...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: I will hold the Minister of State to that.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: One of the problems is that there are so many Ministers of State that they are falling over each other. Meanwhile, the Government has been using private consultants to a ludicrous degree but there is little to show for all the money spent. The Government flounders from action to reaction when its decisions prove inadequate to the task of leading us out of the quagmire in which we find...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: I am aware of an 86 year old woman in my constituency who is ill but ambulant. She wishes to remain living in her home with her elderly husband. She has sought a grant to install a downstairs toilet, which is a fairly basis provision, because the existing bathroom in their old house is up three flights of stairs. I can do nothing for this woman. I am ashamed to live in a country in the...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Liz McManus: We cannot provide the basic provisions to allow her to do so. There is something fundamentally obscene and offensive about this inability to protect the vulnerable. We must look at these types of yardsticks in seeking to measure Government performance and in assessing whether or not the forthcoming budget is fair. What is the impact on those who do not have the power of bankers or the...