Results 9,421-9,440 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister, Deputy Roche, is on public record saying how well the Government has catered for environmental issues by virtue of what it has done regarding agriculture. The biggest contribution this Government has made to agriculture is that it has run it down. I assume this country will not have a food processing sector. I want to outline the details of what happened. When Fine Gael first...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister for Finance introduced proposals to reduce excise duty on a certain amount of bio-fuels but the quota is now oversubscribed and pure plant oil producers in this country who wish to be included are not included. Sadly, the Government has gone outside the country to supply the market, an appalling gaffe that I cannot understand. I do not know if the Government fully...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Government woke up one morning to discover it had done nothing on the issue ten years after Kyoto except pay lip-service. The people of the country will pay as a result, not the Minister of State. More has not been done to remove more excise duty from alternative fuel sources because the Government wants to hold on to it. It makes huge amounts from VAT and excise duty on fuel and...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is a fact of life that the Government copied Fine Gael policy, which we published six to eight months before it published a word. The Fine Gael policy was published before the European Commission policy. We went on our own, with the support of other Opposition parties, and decided what to do and that policy has stood the test of time. The only weakness in the scenario is the lack of...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: There is a notion that somehow the needs of the economy of this country will be met by importing alternative fuels from other countries. We are already dependent on the major oil companies. All they must do is create a scare in the morning or reduce production and there is an oil price increase in the evening. For 12 months scares were created on a weekly basis to increase the price of oil...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister of State should have because he read the Fine Gael policy. The only problem is that he did not put it into operation.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: There is still time and he should do it before it is too late.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: No guts.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the eventual re-allocation of telecommunication services following the Smart Telecom — Eircom dispute which led to large scale discontinuation of services to consumers is in line with Government policy and expectation; the provision he has had with service providers to ensure compliance with his...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 251: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will take further action to ensure that the energy sector here is efficient and effective in addressing the issue of global warming; the extent to which his proposals to date are expected to compare with best practice in this regard throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5476/07]

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had with An Post with a view to clarification of the future role of the post office services having regard to deregulation and the ongoing closure of post offices with consequent implications for the future and integrity of the service; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 248: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action, he or his EU colleagues have taken or propose to take to address the issue of the practice whereby oil and gas prices are manipulated to enhance company profits at the expense of the consumer on what are on many occasions spurious grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5473/07]

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed at the growth in Internet pornography; if his attention has been drawn to the need to utilise modern technology to isolate and identify the perpetrators with particular reference to the prevention of Internet grooming; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if directly or in conjunction with his EU colleagues any effort is being made to protect the Internet from pornography promoters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/07]

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if directly or in consultation with his EU colleagues or through the service providers, progress has been made with a view to preventing the use of the Internet by those involved in the promotion of pornography with particular reference to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/07]

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the technological developments expected to assist in the prevention of Internet pornography; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5491/07]

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 238: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the rapidly diminishing network of post offices and sub-post offices throughout the country; if he accepts the potential damage this gradual erosion does to the post office services, its network, its morale and viability; his or the Government's policy in regard to the future...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had with An Post with a view to clarification of the future role of the post office services having regard to deregulation and the ongoing closure of post offices with consequent implications for the future and integrity of the service; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the eventual re-allocation of telecommunication services following the Smart Telecom — Eircom dispute which led to large scale discontinuation of services to consumers is in line with Government policy and expectation; the provision he has had with service providers to ensure compliance with his...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 241: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects supplies from the Corrib gas field to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/07]