Results 66,681-66,700 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-budget 2023 Examination: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We are regularly warned about dependence on or possible flight of the multinational corporations. Of course, we need to recognise one thing. First, it is good to have them there and it is a good sign of our economy that they remain and want to remain here. They will all be hit by international events at present and we need to take that into account. Things do not go on forever. We need...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-budget 2023 Examination: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I will mention one other matter. Far it be from me to diagnose the ills of our country, but one of the things we need to realise is that we had a very well-distributed budget or, at least, as well distributed as could be done in the circumstances prevailing at the time. To listen to commentators in some quarters, you would swear that the economy was broken and that people were all starving....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Concrete Block Levy: Discussion (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome our delegation. I know a little bit about the subject because I was involved in the beginning when pyrite became obvious. I was involved, along with others, in the construction of the blocks of houses and in the removal of blocks of houses about 30 years ago where there were structural defects covered by insurance, Home Build or its predecessor. There was no difficulty about it....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Concrete Block Levy: Discussion (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I have already indicated my feelings on this issue. I realise why it was included. I know from listening to the experience across the water in the past few weeks that any expenditure proposed where there is no proposal or corresponding move to ultimately pay for it, maybe in the years to come, is not regarded as a positive movement. It could also affect many other things. I am not in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Business of Joint Committee (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Apologies have been received from An Cathaoirleach, Deputy Seán Crowe. The minutes of the meetings of 18 and 19 October 2022 have been circulated to members for consideration. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We have the usual statutory warning in relation to privilege. I do not need to read it out as everybody knows what it is anyway. We cannot mention or identify people, persons or places outside the arena, and if people are joining the meeting from outside the precincts of Leinster House, they have no privilege. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the implementation of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. Kearns. All of the issues outlined are very important. He mentioned that some people in the health service do not feel valued. That is something we have spoken about here before. It is important that those on whom we depend to deliver services are recognised for that. Where improvement is needed, we must speak on that as well. Co-ordination is hugely important, because if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We must move on as the ten-minute time slot has been exceeded.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Mr. Kearns worries me with some of the things that he says because they are true. Time is something that comes in to focus. The problem is that there is not time. For instance, emergencies occur all the time. I want to bring in the rest of the speakers on my list as quickly as possible. We need to implement the proposed changes as if they were part of the system already. In other words,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: A quick one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I remind members that I intend to finish as soon as possible. I do not believe in dragging things on just for the sake of dragging them on. We have a couple of other speakers left. We are waiting for Deputy Cathal Crowe, Senator Hoey and Deputy Hourigan. In the meantime, I call Deputy Cullinane. Are you up for speaking, Deputy Cullinane, in the short time available to you?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We will conclude shortly. I will mention one or two points that came up. We hear what Mr. Kearns is saying regarding time. Time is not on our side. It is time to put the template into operation and fit the pieces on the board into place. Football terms were used in relation to it a few moments ago, but I would use road traffic. One often comes across a sign which says "Traffic Merging"....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he continues to ensure a balance between meeting emission reduction targets and ensuring the future of the agri-food sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure the future of the agricultural production sector while meeting carbon reduction targets to the greatest possible extent; if he...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 138. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has had discussions with his colleagues at EU level on the ever-increasing energy prices and supply difficulties; and the extent to which progress continues to be made in this regard to protect consumers throughout the European Union. [53199/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent of the progress, if any, made at the recent European Council meeting with particular reference to energy supply and price rises, based on what appears to be tenuous need. [53532/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the provision of broadband on a country-wide basis is proceeding according to plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55618/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he and his Department are endeavouring to meet the demands in so far as is possible in relation to the provision of broadband on a nationwide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55619/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of locations throughout the country where broadband roll-out is not up to expectation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55620/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 154. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which efforts are being made to ensure that blackspots in respect of broadband are being attended to as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55621/22]