Results 781-800 of 2,965 for speaker:Robert Dowds

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. I thank Mr. White for reminding me about my remarks on advertising and children and, in a sense, prodding me to pursue the matter further. Deputy Catherine Byrne has touched on an aspect of the issue that is critical where children are concerned. I spent many years as a teacher and noticed a change in children’s approach to life....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has embassies physically located in each of the G20 countries, particularly Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, Indonesia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and in the case of any of these countries where we do not currently have an embassy, if there are plans to open embassies in these countries to more...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (20 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the way jobbridge is audited to ensure that employers do not use repeat internships to avoid employing new paid staff and if her attention has been drawn to any cases where this practice has been noticed and halted. [50869/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (20 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider asking employers partaking in jobbridge for a contribution to the cost of maintaining an intern; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50870/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (20 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the proposed transfer of some of the administration of rent supplement to county councils, and if she has given further consideration to the payment of rent supplement directly to the landlord as a default option. [51012/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Forthcoming Health Council: Discussion with Minister for Health (20 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I welcome the Minister, the Ministers of State and the officials. On the Minister's priorities for Europe and specifically that which relates to the provision of health services in the current economic climate, I am of the view that it would be useful to include the abuse of alcohol in this regard. If there was less abuse of alcohol, there would be less pressure on our hospitals. I do not...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: In the first instance, I wish to express my support for this Bill and I am glad the Minister of State recognises there are other provisions that need to be added to this legislation because much of the rest of my speech will be along the lines of the points made by Deputy Crowe, which perhaps is not surprising given that I represent a neighbouring constituency. I must begin by expressing my...

Supreme Court Ruling in the X Case: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: The tragic case of Savita Halappanavar and the report of the expert group in regard to the A, B and C case is forcing us to confront an issue we have dodged for far too long, namely, the right to an abortion where a mother's life is at risk. It is my view, and that of the Labour Party in its election manifesto, that we must have legislation to give clarity as to when an abortion is legal in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I congratulate the Garda Commissioner on his re-appointment. Is he in a position where he feels able to accept questions on white collar crime? If not, would he agree to appear before the committee on another occasion to discuss it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I mean in general.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: Yes. I had the opportunity to look at some of the figures recently. It concerns me that the number of convictions for white collar crime has dropped substantially in the period from 2003 to 2010. I am not sure what the figures are for 2011. The figures I have uncovered show a drop from 579 convictions in 2003 to 278 in 2010. Can the Commissioner give an explanation for that? Is there a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: If the Commissioner would prefer to come back to the committee at a later stage, that could be arranged.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Operations: Discussion with An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: Is there a need for greater resources in that area? According to what I uncovered through parliamentary questions, there are no solicitors or barristers in the Garda fraud squad and there are just two accountants employed there. People are very upset about white collar crime. Like me, I am sure the Commissioner would like to see a greater level of success. If he feels there is anything...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (27 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the financial emergency measures in the Public Interest Act 2010 to include the staff of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Allied Irish Bank and Irish Life under the provisions of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52259/12]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (27 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide figures, in tabular form, on the amount of revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer if the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010 was amended to include the staff of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Allied Irish Bank and Irish Life respectively under the provisions of the Act. [52260/12]

Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: If Fianna Fáil had not messed up the country-----

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Health: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Health (29 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I welcome the Minister and the members of his panel. I acknowledge the extremely difficult job he has done and that he has made real progress in some areas, for example, hospital waiting lists, which is welcome, particularly in the extremely difficult circumstances in which we are operating. However, I want to ask questions of the Minister on a number of areas. On the question of savings,...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Health: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Health (29 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: What is the biggest reform that must be undertaken in the entire area?

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Health: Allocations for Public Expenditure 2013: Discussion with Minister for Health (29 Nov 2012)

Robert Dowds: I thank the Minister for his contribution. Can he answer the issue I raised about agency nurses?

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (4 Dec 2012)

Robert Dowds: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures she is using to ensure that persons in receipt of jobseekers' payments are actively looking for work or training opportunities, or are pursuing training or education. [53884/12]