Results 66,821-66,840 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (15 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 245. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure in Ireland are adequately proofed to ensure the best outcome for the Exchequer and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56677/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (15 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: These questions seek to ascertain the extent to which the Minister remains satisfied that spending across all Departments remains in line with projections but, at the same time, we retain the capability of responding to emergencies that may arise.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (15 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I have a general question. The Minister is fully conversant with the situation but there may be emergencies this year, such as floods, storms, coastal erosion and any number of issues that may arise. I assure him that the House will support all measures required in emergencies, whatever they may be and whatever their nature.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 73. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he remains satisfied that the interests of children remain to the fore to the greatest extent possible in all situations where their interests may be challenged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56684/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: This question relates to the extent to which children's rights, interests and safety are protected in all circumstances regardless of from where a threat may come and the ability of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla to intervene on their behalf as was originally intended through legislation passed by this House.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister who I know to be a caring and conscientious Minister, as I would expect. However, there are circumstances at the moment where the interests of children are not being protected. The Minister referred to the courts and the need for the influence of Tusla there. In some cases throughout the country, Tusla has been prevented from giving evidence or influencing anything...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister's knowledge on the subject is obvious. I welcome the legislation being brought forward by the Minister, Deputy McEntee. It is not before time. The problem, however, is that there are a number of children and their parents who are already victims of the system, where mothers are prevented even from meeting with the children and are subject to the most appalling hardship and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 90. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate support exists for all children insofar as is possible who might be subjected to a threat from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56685/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I raise a subject similar to that referenced in a previous question. I recently had occasion to see what I considered an incorrect application of the in camerarule to Tusla, which prevented it from investigating and fully supporting children who might be at risk.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for the extended nature of his reply and his understanding of the issue. In the past couple of days, I received notice from Tusla to the effect that I would not be allowed to attend a case conference because there was an objection. That was a surprise because my only interest in it was to ensure that the rights of the child and parents were preserved. Over the years,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I should mention that I also attended the Old Bailey and, again, was always welcomed. To be told by an organisation of the State, with specific powers on behalf of the State to protect specific people, in this instance, children, I was amazed at such a response. I ask the Minister to take a look at the degree to which Tusla is being overshadowed by other Departments in this regard in order...

Dublin City Safety Initiatives and Other Services: Statements (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: It may seem odd that a country Deputy should get involved in Dublin city but, as the previous speaker has just said, it is everybody's city. We all have to take responsibility for it. We take pride in it and we reserve the right to comment when things are not as they should be. I acknowledge the point raised by Deputy Bríd Smith with regard to sporting and recreational facilities,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for again affording me the opportunity to raise this issue in the House. As he knows, I raised it several weeks ago, when he gave me permission to do so, as did the Leas-Cheann Comhairle subsequently. Since then, matters have got worse as opposed to better. Normally, as the Ceann Comhairle knows, if one raises a matter in this House, there is usually a hurried...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Family Law Cases (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State and the Department for attaching importance to this issue. That deals with the issue for the future, which I welcome. Unfortunately, it does not deal with the current situation, which continues unabated. The question of parental alienation was always scoffed at by contributors in family law. It is regarded as a flawed resolution to a particular problem, which...

Impaired Farm Credit Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time next week.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I do not want to delay the meeting but this is a very important debate. It affects everybody in every part of the country. It is something we deal with on a daily basis. However, there are some chinks of light appearing. When landlords are exiting the market, who is buying those houses? Are they being bought by funds or by private individuals? If the latter are the beneficiaries, the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I am running between posts. I have been looking in on these deliberations from time to time even though I have not been physically present. I want to issue my usual warning to economists and any budding economist about what happened a few years ago. Everything in the garden was supposed to be rosy and all of sudden there was a most unmerciful economic crash. Everything went through the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Nov 2022)

Bernard Durkan: That is correct.