Results 1,101-1,120 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: Deputy Higgins referred to literacy in prisons. On "Morning Ireland" prisoners were asked what it meant to them to have the right to vote. One of those interviewed said that while a notice to that effect had been displayed for weeks, most of the prisoners could not read and did not know what it said. That proves Deputy Higgins's point. We are giving the prisoners the vote but we have not...
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: That is the Government's interpretation.
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: A flawed system.
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: The Tánaiste is a trained planner.
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: At what college did the Tánaiste train as an engineer?
- Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: It would not be difficult to identify a cheaper site.
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the degree to which broadband availability and take up has been achieved throughout industry, the health, education and other services and the domestic market; if he has received indications in the matter of progress in this regard in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5439/07]
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Damien English: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action that has been taken or is expected to be taken to address the issue of the lack of broadband facilities at various locations throughout the country with particular reference to job retention and creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5440/07]
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: The odd bad Minister.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: The Minister is innovative in the area of education and so is the Fine Gael Party. There are ways of implementing such policies if the will is there. It is a challenge to tackle the alcohol and drugs crisis in our schools. There is no point in burying our heads in the sand and pretending it is not happening. The Taoiseach tried to suggest yesterday that there is no problem in this regard....
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: I will explain that presently. The Minister's attitude seems to be to reject the proposal immediately rather than listen to the details.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: The proposal does not involve blood and urine testing. Two Irish companies produce the tests that we propose to use in schools; they are swab tests that do not involve blood or urine. There are five or six different tests and it is for each school to decide which to use. We propose that each school should be assigned a drugs adviser who is also a community worker. He or she will liaise...
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: Yes, but I object to the way the Minister asked it. I appeal to her to keep an open mind on this. Some Members expressed concerns that such a scheme might infringe pupils' rights. It is clearly a voluntary initiative. We want boards of management, teachers, parents and even pupils to sign up to it. It will not be forced on anybody. The Taoiseach cannot understand how such testing can be...
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: It is a statistic, not the reality on the ground.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: We know that.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: More statistics.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: The country has transformed. Naturally, schools should follow.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: It is no great achievement.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: They are an important part of school life.
- Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Feb 2007)
Damien English: Is the Minister trying to raise a generation of machines?