Results 8,161-8,180 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. Ordinarily, it can be difficult to keep everyone on side, but it will be more difficult to do so in respect of an agency with NORA's type of contacts. For example, it will buy and sell on the global energy market. If the Minister responded to Deputy Broughan's points and elaborated on how the State would be doubly protected, it would assure the House. People of substance must...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 63: In page 17, line 31, after "billion" to insert "unless otherwise provided for". I do not intend to press this amendment because we discussed it on Committee Stage. I accept the explanation given by the Minister at the time. I proposed the insertion of "unless otherwise provided for" because I anticipated circumstances changing dramatically on account of the value of...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 64: In page 18, line 13, after "Finance" to insert "and Dáil Éireann". We discussed this already and the suggestion has been the subject of two or three votes already, so I do not propose to press the amendment.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 65: In page 18, line 28, after "Minister" to insert "and the Standards in Public Office Commission". We discussed similar amendments and it is almost identical to one of Deputy Broughan's. I attempted to identify difficulties that might arise for the State in the future. I will not press the amendment but hope that, having followed this tortuous procedure, we do not...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 66: In page 19, line 16, after "activities" where it firstly occurs to insert the following: "save where such activities are deemed to affect policy". We did not discuss this and I would like the Minister to respond.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister's response but policy should always be vested in the Minister. We have, from time to time, expressed our frustration in this House at the lack of accountability of the Minister to the House. It would have been helpful to insert the amendment to tighten up Parliament's supervision of the operation of an agency such as NORA, which, once it is established, will be at a...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I support amendments Nos. 69 and 71 in the name of Deputy Broughan. Reference has already been made to what the Minister said on Committee Stage with regard to the fact that adequate provisions have already been made and that we must comply with European regulations in this regard. Notwithstanding this, we are an island nation and are somewhat isolated from the rest of Europe. For that...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 70: In page 19, line 41, after "functions" to insert "or as may be required". I have spoken on this amendment as it was discussed with amendments Nos. 69 and 71. I will not press it, but it relates to the integrity of the storage capacity. This whole scene is compliant with EU legislative requirements. I remind the House that the EU is not always correct in its...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I have spoken only once on it.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I am allowed to speak a second time as proposer of the amendment. It is no harm that we learn from these experiences. The issue of grids was discussed in another context by this House though that is a matter for another day. I have been watching the operation and it is, essentially, a grid. I will not press the amendment but ask that the Minister note we are only as strong as our weakest...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to allocate funding under the various schemes available to his Department to groups involved in drug treatment programmes and rehabilitation in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37045/06]

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 194: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for grant aid currently before his Department from groups involved in combating drugs and relevant rehabilitation courses from County Kildare in 2006; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond favourably to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 15: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the future development of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37046/06]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 93: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/06]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/06]

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the application for reunification by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37312/06]

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that full due process has been observed in the application for refugee and residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the serious threat to their well being in the event of a return to their homeland; if his attention has...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will arrange for the return of green card, passport or other documentation for the convenience of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 while their application for naturalisation is pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37314/06]

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are circumstances, humanitarian, health or otherwise, in which he can intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who is scheduled for deportation with consequent concerns and risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37315/06]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position on residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in view of the family health situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37316/06]