Results 8,221-8,240 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 377: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the number of sufferers of pneumonocosis arising from the mining industry; if he will examine the situation with a view to achieving a level of compensatory payment on the grounds of occupational injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37953/06]
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 404: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will offer ex gratia payments to all suffers of pneumonocosis as a first step towards meeting their occupational injury requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37958/06]
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 405: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions he has had with various interested groups or bodies with a view to addressing the long standing issue of former miners suffering from pneumonocosis; if he will investigate the extent to which qualification for occupational injury benefit payments can be eased for those who are diagnosed as sufferers, regardless...
- Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 379: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the decision to refuse child benefit under habitual residence condition as a vital step in guarding against child poverty and preventing inequality amongst children living in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38171/06]
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 407: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which he intends to expand, improve or extend the back to education allowance with particular reference to easing some of the qualification criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/06]
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 408: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is intended to address the issue of retired Irish missionaries living abroad who only qualify for non-contributory old age pensions if they return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/06]
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 409: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated number of Irish missionaries currently living abroad who might qualify for old age pension subject to means testing, if they returned home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/06]
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 410: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has taken place in regard to offering non-contributory old age pension payments to retired Irish missionaries who cannot qualify while living abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/06]
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 411: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of countries with which Ireland currently has bilateral social welfare arrangements; the extent to which the process is working effectively and efficiently in either direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/06]
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 412: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide for substantially enhanced free electricity allowance and free fuel schemes with particular reference to increased energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37966/06]
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 464: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the pupil-teacher ratio will be reduced to acceptable best practice for those children attending first class at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37483/06]
- Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (14 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Question 509: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if review can be undertaken in the application for an educational grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37954/06]
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: Let the Taoiseach's Ministers take some responsibility.
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: The Taoiseach is doing nothing.
- Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: In view of the ongoing difficulties in mining and exploration, particularly the exploration of minerals, is it possible to bring forward the minerals development Bill with a view to addressing the issues?
- Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: That will be a big help. I did not hear the Taoiseach's reply yesterday to the question I raised on the threat to children here and throughout Europe presented by Internet grooming. Is it possible to legislate in the context of the electronic communications miscellaneous provisions Bill due before the House? Will the Taoiseach determine whether this can be done by technical means as opposed...
- Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: The contention is that the EU Commissionââ
- Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: It is so long since we were here that I cannot remember the last sentence I put on the record. This amendment deals with policy directions to the commission. Amendments Nos. 49 to 56, inclusive, are being discussed together. Amendment No. 50 proposes in page 18, line 10, after "functions" to insert "or arising from specific circumstances". My reason for tabling that amendment was to...
- Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: I will come back in for the fun of it.
- Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2006)
Bernard Durkan: I agree the Minister has gone some way to meeting the concerns of the Opposition and the section he has introduced is beneficial. We must provide for the unforeseen and I am not sure that has been achieved in section 10A. As unforeseen events are likely to occur from time to time, my proposal in amendment No. 50 to insert the words "or arising from specific circumstances" would strengthen...