Results 8,221-8,240 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There are currently 20 non commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department. The table provides a breakdown of (a) the number of Board members and (b) remuneration fees due in respect of each of these bodies. Bodies are required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which was revised and updated in May 2009, and the Foreign Travel Guidelines 2009 issued by...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: We all extend our sympathy to those directly affected by this morning's announcement. On this island Ulster Bank employs approximately 6,000 people, 900 of whom are affected by this announcement. Of those affected, we understand 650 are in the Republic of Ireland. The announcement has come at the end of much speculation and there is now a degree of certainty, although none of us might like...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Government will soon announce a comprehensive programme called, Pathways to Work, which will address many of the issues to which the Deputy referred. Taking Ulster Bank as an example, somebody from that institution will have his or her skill sets assessed and options will be offered as to how he or she might upgrade his or her skills or divert sideways to improve his or her skills and...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for her question but, unfortunately, I must remind her that this country has lost its economic sovereignty. We are not in business as usual and when it was business as usual it was mad business. The construction sector to which she referred represented 25% of economic activity in the Republic. That was twice the normal requirement in a growing economy. As an adjunct to...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I do not know if Deputy McDonald was listening to the reply I offered to Deputy Ó Cuív-----

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Then I have already answered the Deputy's question. The workers will not get new jobs in the banking sector. Those who have IT skills that can be refocused into other areas in which there are opportunities, as Barry O'Leary from the IDA has said, will hopefully find opportunities. I wish to respond to a comment made by Deputy McDonald about the madness of the building speculation affecting...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: To answer the Deputy's specific question - I am responding to the point she made - the labour movement, both the Labour Party and the trade union movement, believe it is the responsibility of trade unions in the first instance to represent the rights of workers and to do so directly with their employers. To the best of my knowledge, the Ulster Bank has conducted its negotiations rightly and...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: If I may remind the Deputy, like himself, I, too, represent a constituency with an inner-city core with a high level of disadvantage. Over my time in Dublin South-East I have seen intergenerational poverty when dealing with the grandchildren of people I first dealt with many decades ago. I agree education is the great liberator. I would not be in this Chamber if it were not for the chance...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Deputy Finian McGrath is a teacher and I will respond to him by saying that the logic of applying additional resources to any endeavour, particularly in the area of education, is that in order to justify the application of those additional resources, one must measure the consequences of those inputs to see the benefit. The three reports being published today, one by the Educational Research...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy should listen to what he said: "I warn you there will be serious consequences."

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I have examined this matter very closely, having drilled down deep, so to speak, and into all sectors of the education system-----

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Perhaps it was the tone of the remarks. We want a debate that is passionate but also compassionate as regards what we are trying to achieve collectively in this House.

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 8a, Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - allocation of time motion for select sub-committee; No. 12, Patents (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 4, Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and notwithstanding the...

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: Deputies are familiar with the background to this issue. It has nothing to do with the troika or the bailout, but has everything to do with our treaty and legal obligations regarding clean water and ensuring our neighbour's water, whether in urban or rural Ireland is clean. It also has everything to do with the fact that this Republic was cited as being in breach of the obligations and...

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: ----- and because we have been in breach of undertakings that were given by representatives of this Chamber in the European Commission that if we do not have this legislation enacted by 3 February, we will be subject to a fine of €26,000 a day. I share and understand the concerns being expressed.

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: There are three issues involved. There is the necessity to deal with this or otherwise we will be fined substantial amounts. We are agreed on that point. Is the Deputy agreed that we must have the legislation in place by 3 February. It seems he is not in agreement.

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am new to this role.

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: I am bound by the Chair. This is a matter on which there has been extensive discussion at committee. I listened to Deputy McGrath over Christmas also. We can deal with concerns about how this will function after the legislation is enacted. We no longer have the time to deal with it now, because on 3 February we will face a fine of €26,000 a day.

Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: The House shares the Deputy's concern on this matter. However, we do not yet have all the information necessary for an informed debate. We must let the facts emerge in the discussions that are ongoing between Ulster Bank and the IBOA. I suggest Deputy Catherine Murphy who is sitting beside the Deputy is well equipped to request that this matter be raised at the next Whips' meeting and that...

Private Members' Business. Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jan 2012)

Ruairi Quinn: They are not being lost but are going into the mainstream teacher cohort. Deployment is at the discretion of the principal.