Results 63,601-63,620 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. This practice is grossly unfair and arbitrary. The fact that it has proceeded as it has for so long is unfortunate. The question that arises immediately is whether the courts erred in the first stage. To my mind, they could not have erred. Even though cases have been referred back to the courts on the basis of the situation, this issue prevails. It is totally...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I accept that is the practice but I do not accept the validity of the practice and I believe it needs to be changed. This section of the Act is repugnant to the Constitution. Why are all awards made by the courts not challenged by whoever happens to be the payer of the pensions to the individuals concerned at a later stage? It is totally wrong that this would continue. It has caused...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 111. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is being kept up to what is deemed to be the optimum; that any reviews do not result in a reduction in strength given the various duties and services provided by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3876/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I am concerned there might be an intention, as has happened in the past, in some quarters to reduce the strength of the Defence Forces on the basis that we do not need them in a modern economy. We do need them. They provide a very important service. They provide emergency services at all times, coastal surveillance and they also respond to natural disasters. They are relied upon to do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Obviously, I entirely agree with my colleague's remarks, but there is a serious security issue as well that needs to be borne in mind in the course of this debate. We have had crises in the Defence Forces due to the shrinking of numbers and the failure to replace them for various reasons. We must put in place whatever provisions are necessary to ensure we retain numbers in the Defence...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Given the withdrawal of a number of the major banks from this jurisdiction and the closure of a large number of bank branches all over the country, thus reducing the visual impact of business supports and access for customers, might it be possible to in some way enhance the degree to which customers can talk to their bank without talking to a machine, which has become ridiculous in recent times?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Currently, everything is being done by way of answering machine or a machine of some description, which is depersonalising the contact that is necessary between businesses and banks, especially small businesses and traders but also personal customers. I ask the Tánaiste to use his good offices with the banking authorities to try to address that issue.

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We move next to a Sinn Féin slot. Deputy Patricia Ryan has three minutes.

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Next is a People before Profit slot. Deputy Boyd Barrett has 20 minutes.

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I remind Members that we will adjourn this debate at 7.12 p.m.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland continues to respond to the needs of poorer communities, often beset by war, famine and national disasters; the extent to which membership of the United Nations Security Council can be used as a means of accelerating help that is needed in such challenging situations; the extent to which Ireland continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the European Union and United Nations position on the massing of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine; if the international community is sufficiently committed to protecting the interests of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 213. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of discussions he has had with European Union colleagues or otherwise through the United Nations with a view to humanitarian intervention in conflict zones globally with particular reference to the need to offer some protection to women and children in areas such as Belarus and Sudan. [57675/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 214. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of talks with persons he and his Department have had in regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol and Brexit. [58659/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 236. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which discussions between the European Union and UK authorities in relation to Brexit continue to be made with a view to ensuring the maximisation of the interests of the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4186/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Exercises (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 222. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which concerns are being expressed to the Russian authorities in regard to the use of a sea area close to Irish territorial waters for military manoeuvres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4172/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 223. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which political pressure continues to be applied to the Russian Federation with a view to ensuring that the independence of Ukraine is honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4173/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 224. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which bilateral and multilateral aid programmes continue to identify countries suffering from war, starvation or natural disasters with a view to addressing the issues arising therefrom; if particular or specific programmes are being developed to address issues such as medicines and water shortages; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 225. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which directly and or through the European Union or United Nations and using Ireland’s position on the United Nations Security Council efforts continue to be made to address situations in which hunger, starvation, genocide, ethnic cleansing and violence against minorities can be addressed in a meaningful way; and if...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Jan 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 226. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the top ten locations worldwide identified by the United Nations as being volatile in terms of human rights; if sufficient efforts are being made to address these issues with the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4176/22]