Results 36,921-36,940 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Numbers (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to retain the required complement of teachers at primary and second level throughout the country during the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16993/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department is satisfied regarding the availability of facilities in respect of upskilling to meet current and future employment requirements, either directly or in conjunction with other Departments or agencies including Solas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16994/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland Administration (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he will re-examine the structures of Student Universal Support Ireland and the inadequacy of the existing structures to deal with the volume of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16995/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of student higher education grant applications received by Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of the 2013-2014 academic year; the number approved, refused or pending to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16996/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of incidents of school bullying, including cyberbullying, reported to his Department by the primary and-or post-primary sectors in each of the past three years and to date this year; the extent to which it has been found possible to address the issue to date; his intentions for the future; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a letter from their landlord can suffice as evidence of residence during the past five years in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their application for a permanent residence card, who cannot provide a utility bill as they are in the name of their landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: We have received apologies from Deputies Breen and Mitchell. Item No. 1 deals with the minutes of meetings. The minutes of the meeting of 1 April have been circulated. Are they agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: One voice please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: One voice please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The review is ongoing as we speak and your views from the last meeting will be taken into account.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: We note the points that have been raised about the Dalai Lama. The secretariat is aware of that and if it is possible to do something further to address the issues, it will be done. The same applies to the situation in Western Sahara. Is that agreed? Agreed. As there are no other issues arising from the minutes, I now propose to go to the main business of the meeting. I remind committee...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The principal subject of today's agenda is the situation in Ukraine. The joint committee has recently held separate meetings with both the ambassador of Ukraine and the ambassador of the Russian Federation. Today we meet retired ambassador Francis M. O'Donnell who served for five years in Ukraine with the United Nations and is well placed to address the committee authoritatively. On behalf...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the former ambassador. I said, at the outset, that he was well placed to give a dissertation to the committee and he has. He mentioned some thought provoking issues which I am sure the committee will find equally interesting. I shall call on members in the order in which they gave notice. I ask Deputy Brendan Smith to commence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Deputy. The next batch of speakers comprises Deputy Eric Byrne, Senator David Norris, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and Senators Michael Mullins and Jim Walsh. Deputy Eric Byrne will commence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Mr. O'Donnell raised a number of important issues and the response of members is indicative of that. He referred to the helplessness of the international community, an issue we have all raised in the House from time to time when an aggressor appears on the scene. The strongest suit an aggressor always has is the belief that no one can intervene and no action can be taken. Then aggressor in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I hesitate to interrupt Mr. O'Donnell's flow because it is very interesting but we must move on and I know some members must leave to go to a vote.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Before Mr. O'Donnell answers, I will accept a motion from the floor proposing that the issue of Ukraine be included in next week's agenda in the context of Mr. O'Donnell's submission. It would make for an interesting discussion at a subsequent meeting. I will do so in order to carry it forward and take on board the views expressed by Mr. O'Donnell and his first-hand information, which is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. O'Donnell for his very interesting dissertation. It has been most informative and the members will be anxious to pursue the issues he raised in a very informed way. I again thank him for coming before the committee.

Other Questions: Public Sector Reform Implementation (10 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 6. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which specific reform proposals continue to deliver positively for the Exchequer in line with expectations and targets; if any revision or amendment is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16728/14]

Other Questions: Public Sector Reform Implementation (10 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: This question relates to the extent to which budgetary projections remain on target. Based on the performance of the past three years, does the Minister believe we will achieve the targets set?