Results 39,041-39,060 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 832. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current position in respect of the abuse of human rights in Colombia; the extent to which this situation continues to improve; if it is expected the EU may influence progress in this regard in the context of the EU trade agreement with Colombia and Peru; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41735/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 846. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which apprenticeships are available in all areas throughout the country at present; the uptake of such places; the extent to which the places available meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42162/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelscoileanna Issues (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 887. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received details setting out the case for a Gaelcholaiste in north Kildare; if she has had sight of the supportive submission prepared by the local support group based on the Gaelcholaiste's requirements as determined by the current enrolment in the various Gaelscoileanna throughout the area and keeping in mind the urgent need for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Payments (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 899. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if and when higher education grant will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the reason the 2013 P60 in respect of their father is being sought; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41548/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 921. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which permanent classroom structures and ancillary facilities are currently available and proposed at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the degree to which dialogue continues to take place with the school authorities in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41937/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentation. It represents that part of society which makes a major contribution to the well-being of society in general. It identifies deficiencies - as they have done and have correctly pointed out - and plans for the future by highlighting and flagging the issues that will turn up in the future. In particular, I wish to refer to what is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Or charging the jury.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Such as?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I completely agree with Mr. Ewing's right to hold his views but disagree profoundly with some of them, naturally. The problem with alliances, as we know, is that they cover an amorphous mass of views and seem to contain within them the view that suits everybody's particular menu. Of course, the view that suits everyone's menu suits none. There are two or three points I wish to make. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: No means have yet been found for disposing of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: In Cavan, they are doing it all right, but the rest of the country has not come to it yet. Much emphasis is placed on biomass and various other forms of energy generation. This is true but they are carbon neutral. They exude the carbon they have absorbed in the first place; that is all. There is an equal balance. I spent a good number of years on a committee that dealt with this subject...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The only problem with that process is that it isolates the majority of parliamentarians, who cannot participate in the debate at all. The only people who participate are the members of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: However, they have no vote. In any case, there is no room for them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The Chairman knows as well as I do that where there is an influx of non-members at a committee meeting, the red carpet is not usually laid out for the extra attendees. This is simply because such large attendances can lead to very lengthy meetings. It can become almost like a Second Stage debate in the House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The result is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: We all know the result is a plethora of Bills awaiting Committee Stage. It is not possible to get these Bills to Committee Stage because the institution of the House is blocked up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: What the Senator proposes in terms of the finance committee may be possible. The Second Stage tradition of debate in relation to legislation is effectively diminished considerably and is given over to fewer people. That is not an improvement for democracy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Yes, we can have that debate another time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: We can debate that at another time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen, from Deputies Seán Crowe, Olivia Mitchell and Ruairí Quinn, and from Senator Jim Walsh. The draft minutes of the meeting of 22 October have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.