Results 8,021-8,040 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Given the concerns regarding oil and gas exploration and the licensing regime, would it be possible to bring forward, as promised, in line with the reform proposals for delivering better Government, the minerals development Bill? We spoke about this matter previously and the Minister indicated a willingness to help out the Opposition in this regard. Has he pondered on it further?

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, line 4, to delete "as". I would like to hear the Minister's response at the outset, perhaps as a sign of things to come.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I am impressed but I am not impressed, so to speak. I would have thought the Minister might go further into the reasons it is not possible to accept the amendment. We outlined previously what we believe are compelling reasons for accepting the amendment. Will the Minister elucidate further on the reason that should not be the case?

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Having considered the matter, those of us who saw fit to put down the amendment believe it is necessary. I am pressing the amendment.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 7, line 15, after "oils" to insert ", including oils derived from bio fuels". We discussed this matter on Committee Stage. This amendment is necessary and desirable and is indicative of where we need to go in the future. It says something about the intention of the Bill in particular. It is intended to be all-embracing and descriptive. It is a necessary...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I have thought about this matter since Committee Stage and I believe I was right the first time. The original intention was as the Minister has indicated, but there is no reason the same cannot apply as does now, where a particular exemption is made. The description of petroleum products in the Bill includes the following categories of products: "(a) motor spirit and aviation fuel (that is...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I admire the Minister's tenacity in not changing his view. I have thought about this matter and believe we on this side of the House were not trenchant enough on the last occasion we discussed it. It is wrong not to mention biofuels. What is wrong with storing them as part of our reserves? Why should specific mention not be made of the need to develop and store biofuels, particularly if...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, line 18, after "section 5" to insert ", subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann". These 15 amendments are all related to the same issue, which is to require Dáil approval for changes that may take place from time to time. We discussed this matter last night and on Committee Stage of this Bill a couple of weeks ago. There is a growing fear that...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Correct.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: An alarm sounded.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister makes my case.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister is whistling past the graveyard.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Come on down anytime. The Minister will be more than welcome.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The reason the amendments were tabled is because a number of us served on the PAC for a long time and there were countless instances where various directions were given and powers devolved by Ministers to State board appointees, which the House approved, and the people proceeded, correctly, in their own way. However, not all decisions were proofed to the extent they should have been and the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: We have been given a certain amount of latitude due to the number of amendments. If the Acting Chairman bears with me for a moment, I will conclude.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: If the Acting Chairman wants to argue, we will. For as long as I have been a Member of the House, it has been the procedure to discuss large groups of amendments taken together without addressing any specifically and to vote on them separately. I made general comments in the first instance and was particularly short in my discourse.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I know.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: He has.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: That is the reason for the amendments, namely, poachers turn into gamekeepers and vice versa. In my time as a Deputy, there have been countless instances of changes or appointments where it would have been useful to include some reference to the Dáil or to allow the Dáil the discretion to opt in or opt out of the approval process. I accept the Minister's statement on board appointments. I...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Given current developments whereby more power is devolved to agencies outside the House and in respect of which Ministers do not want to or have no willingness or liability to report to the Houses, this bad situation must be changed. It is bad for democracy and the Parliament and it is dangerous for Ministers and the administration of State and semi-State bodies.