Results 40,901-40,920 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Irish - Ireland’s Diaspora Policy: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on this work so far in engaging with the diaspora. This is a hugely important issue because of our history of emigration. I agree with Deputy Smith regarding broadcasting and communicating with the diaspora that there is a social obligation on our national broadcaster to do everything in its power to ensure the link is maintained through...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "Trade" and substitute the following:"acknowledges the efforts by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to the Ibrahim Halawa case and urges the Minister to continue his efforts at all appropriate levels to ensure the speedy release of Mr. Halawa." In moving the amendment, I do so not to be divisive but to simply follow a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the support of the Taoiseach and officials in the embassy, is best placed to assess the situation and decide on the best approach in these circumstances. I have every confidence in the ability of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to have the maximum positive impact on the case of Ibrahim Halawa. As a person who spent a bit of time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I do not wish to divide the House on the issue because it is sensitive. We do not know the conclusion the court will reach. We believe the court will make a decision shortly. That is the information that has been made available. In those circumstances, we are better off waiting to see what will happen next. There may be a need for an intervention, which would be unprecedented, but we do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: There is another issue which needs to be borne in mind. This is not identical to the cases of the previous prisoners who were released. This case is different. Amnesty International said that Ibrahim Halawa has no case to answer. In the event that is true, and I accept what Amnesty International says, the procedure being followed so far is the correct one. In the event of there being a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Yes.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy was not here.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy was not here either.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: We have the Bills. Does the Opposition want them?

Order of Business (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: On legal matters, when is the legal aid Bill likely to come before the House? Have the heads been discussed by Cabinet? Is it likely to pass in the current year? The credit guarantee (amendment) Bill is a proposal to amend the 2012 Act but has it been discussed at Cabinet in preparation for introduction to the House? If it has, when are we likely to see it?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 25. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time that applicants for asylum/refugees status have remained in this country awaiting a decision on their case; the extent to which persons in the country for five years or more may expect to have their cases dealt with expeditiously [13167/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 33. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the number of gardaí has fluctuated in the past ten years and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13166/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 67. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current position in regard to determining eligibility for an Invalidity Pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13833/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 69. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the exceptional needs payment made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare falls short of the funeral expenses in respect of a deceased child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13836/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 70. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for the back to education allowance, in view of that person's current social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13838/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 71. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to providing partial rent support in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent has increased by €200 per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13840/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 72. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if increased rent support will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent has increased to €1,200 per month, who works part-time and who has one child of 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13841/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Debt (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 82. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which total national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product has fluctuated in each of the past five years and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13843/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: General Government Debt (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 83. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the budget deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product has fluctuated in each of the past five years and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13844/15]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (2 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 110. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 26 March 2015, the action proposed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who received communication from the Chief State Solicitor's office on 20 March 2015, to the effect that court proceedings are to be commenced against that person, on foot of notice to quit dated 26 June 2014; if...