Results 50,921-50,940 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: On that subject, the substance of which I have raised on numerous occasions in the past six months, this is a new issue presenting.

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: It is an issue that I believe can be resolved. I refer particularly and specifically to those who have tried to meet their mortgage repayments and have consistently kept in touch with the lending agencies. These people have broken no rules. They have ended up in this situation owing to issues arising which were outside of their control. I have been in touch with the Minister for Finance...

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: -----and as a result they are rejecting all of the options being put forward. I ask the Tánaiste to take into account the hardship likely to be caused to homeowners, small business owners and small farmers the length and breadth of this country.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister has spoken. It was the closing speech.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: A single sentence, please.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: That is it.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I am sorry, no.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I am sorry, but the Deputy is out of order.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy is out of order and I want to explain the reason. There was no one in the House offering to speak when the Minister replied. There was space in which to do so when the previous speaker, Deputy Louise O'Reilly, finished her statement. As there was no one else offering, I called the Minister to make the closing statement. That is it. We cannot and do not go back.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: While I appreciate the Deputy's point, the problem is that during statements, when a speaker concludes and no other speaker is available, the only order is that the sitting be suspended. I did not have any other name and no other Deputy presented. That is the end of the story.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I assure the Deputy that it is not personal.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: No; if we were to start facilitating Deputies in these circumstances, it would bring the House into disrepute and we would have to facilitate everybody at all times.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: There is no provision in the order to suspend Standing Orders. The instructions, by order of the House, are that statements must conclude not later than 5 p.m. and, in the event that they conclude earlier than 5 p.m., that we proceed directly to Topical Issues. The Minister was the final speaker and there were no other speakers available when he was called.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy knows the rules as well as I do. If we were to depart from them in the manner proposed, it would set a precedent. We will not do so. Deputies can raise the matter with anyone they wish in any form they wish.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister was the final speaker.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister finished the debate.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: When I took the Chair, I had before me a long list of speaking slots, but there were no Deputies present to fill them. When the final speaker concluded, we had to proceed to the next business.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: According to the order, a Minister or a Minister of State shall be called on to make a statement in reply which will not exceed five minutes. The Minister was called on because no further speakers were available at the time.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy is missing the point. When the second last speaker sat down, the Minister became the final speaker because no other Deputies were present. He was entitled to reply for not more than five minutes. That is the end of the story and I do not propose to break the rules.

National Broadband Procurement Process: Statements (Resumed) (15 Feb 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I will explain the matter in its entirety. Deputy Eamon Scanlon was in possession when the debate was adjourned the previous day. He concluded his contribution this afternoon, at which point we had a rí-rá about the list of speakers along party lines. The order provides that all other Members have ten minutes' speaking time each and that the Minister or a Minister of State shall...