Results 34,941-34,960 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: 192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to see the development and expansion of sea ferry transport from this country to various UK and-or continental destinations in the future, with particular reference to meeting increased demand and requirements and market development in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47598/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: 206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected that air travel routes and options will improve as a result of the abolition of travel tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47402/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (6 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: 207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote the use of this country to host major international sporting events; the extent to which he continues to engage with sporting organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47403/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Human Rights Council: Discussion with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (6 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I want to raise a topic I have raised before. To what extent do we make an effort to deal with the human rights of prisoners in various hot spots across the globe? We have referred to a number of locations at committee meetings. In some former or serving politicians have been interned. There may be different degrees to which their human rights have been abused, but I know from visits to...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade Treaty: Motion (6 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I commend the Tánaiste and his colleagues on their useful outlining of our position. I support the motion. To what extent can the individual member state signatories encourage those who might be reluctant to put the treaty into effect? What sanctions will apply where there is a reluctance to sign up and what can be done about those countries? Does the treaty apply to components of...

Order of Business (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Order of Business (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Given the sad experiences we have had in this country arising from uncontrolled lobbying in the past 20 years, could I ask the Tánaiste the progress to date in the preparation of the control of lobbying Bill, whether it has been discussed in Cabinet, if the heads of the Bill have been approved and when it is likely to come before the House? Similarly, I wish to inquire about that old...

Order of Business (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Tánaiste.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I agree with the last two speakers in this regard. The position of this country is much better than it was two and a half years ago, whether we like it or not.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: The feeling is not as important as comparing what the feeling would have been if we had continued in the direction we were heading in when this Government took over. In response to prompting from the Opposition benches, which are normally occupied, the Tánaiste noted that the country was broke. That is the underlying factor.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: We are delighted to have our own Opposition Members.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: With one or two notable exceptions, the theme running through the speeches from the Opposition benches over the past two and a half years is that they want more money spent every day, in every way, on every subject matter and every service. That means more money borrowed. No one has ever asked where we will get the money but when these Opposition Members are pressed they will say that we...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: I have read all these books and I treated them with the same contempt that I treated them with when I read them first. I am not an economist and I apologise to the economists but I have read economics-----

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: ------and it is a most elastic science that is applicable in retrospect more than at the time it should be applied. There is no doubt about the difficulty the Irish people and the Government faced and there are no easy answers. The answers undertaken by the Government have not been easy. We must compliment the people of the country for their indulgence, forbearance and sacrifice. Without...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy's time has expired.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh has only 30 seconds' speaking time as the debate is due to adjourn.

Message from Seanad (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: Seanad Éireann has passed the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013, without amendment.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Applications (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: 134. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when child benefit will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47582/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Appeals (7 Nov 2013)

Bernard Durkan: 135. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when one parent family allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47583/13]