Results 9,141-9,160 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In addition to believing in public services we also respect public servants.

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: That is why it is so wrong for the Deputy to come to this House and name individual public servants who do not have the opportunity or the privilege she has of responding to those allegations.

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: That shows disrespect for our civil servants and I ask the Deputy to desist from doing this.

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In the first place, there will be an adequate staffing level. I reiterate, the quality of the service to be delivered to the public has been at the centre of decisions on re-organisation and reform of our public services made by the Government and which will be announced later. I do not believe that even Deputy McDonald would argue there is no need to reform our public services, in part for...

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Our public servants do a good job. They have been the subject of ballyragging for far too long-----

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: -----sometimes in the media. The Deputy cannot point to a single occasion during the time I sat on those benches when I attacked public servants, individually or generally. I respect public servants and the work they do. Members of this House should also show that respect.

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: What we need is a better, more efficient and focused public service and that is the nature of the reforms the Minister will announce today.

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The answer to the Deputy's question is that I am working with adoptive parents and families that are seeking to adopt children through the intercountry adoption method. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and I have been working on this matter for some time. In the course of my work as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I regularly raise this subject with the authorities from...

Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, the adoption arrangements have to comply with the Hague Convention. The arrangements that apply in individual countries have to be consistent with the Hague conditions and arrangements. I am very much aware of the difficulties being experienced by adoptive parents. I want to assure the Deputy that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and I, as well as our...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. 15a, Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Committee and Remaining Stages; No. 16, statements on the 2010 annual report of the national review panel on serious incidents including deaths of children in care, to adjourn at 2.30 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 17, Health (Provision of General Practitioner...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I can confirm that the budget will be announced in the House. I can also confirm that the Government is announcing details of budgetary and expenditure matters and matters relating to public service reform in a way that was not previously done.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: That was not done by the previous Government because it did not address those issues in time.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: That is why we are in the fix we are in now.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I had prepared quite an extensive reply in anticipation that somebody on that side of the House might have thought that yesterday's meeting was important enough to raise on Leaders' Questions. I would like to offer a piece of advice to the Opposition parties and leaders.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Part of my success was an ability to ask the questions that were the important questions of the day. How all three managed to get through Leaders' Questions today without asking a question-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have the reply here. I am sure the Taoiseach would be quite happy to give a response to Deputy McDonald if she manages to table a parliamentary question by the time the Dáil convenes next week.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that was a Private Members' Bill and it is not on the Government list.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I join Deputy Wallace in congratulating the Irish soccer team on qualifying for the European championships. It is great for the morale of the country. It shows how much times have changed around here. There used to be a time when Opposition Deputies complained about the length of the summer recess. This is certainly a first in that we have got a request not only to extend it-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: -----but to have it in June. Unwittingly, Deputy Wallace might have stumbled on an issue which will find considerable support on the Government side. The Government will make a considerable effort to keep its nose to the grindstone and deal with the issues of the people. We will have to watch the games on the television.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The companies Bill is a major piece of legislation and of consolidation work. I think there are approximately 1,200 heads for that Bill. The expectation is that it will be brought forward around the middle of next year. I agree with Deputy Hannigan about the excellent work being done by the 60,000 people who work in the community and voluntary sector. I will ask the Minister for the...