Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,965 for speaker:Robert Dowds

Housing (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I fully support the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in her work to achieve harmonisation of local authority rents across geographical areas. I also support her determination to continue the system, whereby rent is determined as a proportion of a tenant's income. It is good that local democracy will, in this small way, be strengthened if county councils have the power to set rent...

Order of Business (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: Unlike the €350 million under Fianna Fáil.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 57. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a report on his visit to Northern Ireland on 30 April 2013. [21702/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Review (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 121. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review of domiciliary care allowance and disability allowance in the 16 to 18 age group. [21698/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 145. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to tackle the problem of dioxins from waste which are seeping into our atmosphere, if on land, in the air or in the water. [21700/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 146. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the plans there are, at European Union level, to tackle the problem of dioxins from waste which are escaping into the atmosphere, if on land, in the air or in the water. [21701/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Statistics (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 162. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the criteria for recording of burglary offences for purposes of national crime statistics has been altered in the past four years; if so, in what way have they been altered and the rationale for the alteration. [21703/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (8 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 163. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the 22% reduction in the number of Garda summonses in the first three months of 2013 compared to the first three months of 2012. [21704/13]

Order of Business (14 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: On the same issue, could I ask the Taoiseach, with regard to any further legislation concerning redress or an apology for victims of institutional abuse, whether it is proposed to introduce measures relating to a State apology or redress for survivors of the Bethany Home?

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (14 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: Like most Members of this House, I am extremely put out at the snail's pace of movement on the part of the banks in dealing with the mortgage arrears crisis. More than 23,500 home owners are more than two years in arrears with their mortgages, which amounts to approximately 100,000 people when we include their families. This crisis has an appalling impact on families, leading to marital...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (14 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I ask that the following questions be put to the banks. First, how many staff are working in the arrears support unit of each bank? Second, how many customers per month will have a restructured payment schedule in 2013 and what progress are the banks making in this regard? Third, according to the Central Bank quarterly report of December 2012,...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (14 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: Can I have some replies to them?

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (15 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider implementing a ban on the live exports which exceed eight hours in duration, and if he has concerns about the treatment of animals exported from Ireland to Libya or the Middle East once the animals have reached their destination. [23069/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (15 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: 249. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the volume and cost of transport fuel petrol and diesel purchased by the Health Service Executive for use in HSE vehicles in the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, broken down by each HSE region; HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, HSE Dublin North East, HSE South and HSE West [23070/13]

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I thank Deputies Joan Collins and Catherine Murphy for allowing me to speak at this point. In case I forget to say it, I listened to Deputy Boyd Barrett’s speech. One point he made must be pursued, namely, the question of whether the new taxi signs can be forged and what can be done to prevent it. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, is committed to having an effective taxi...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 26: Collection of Motor Taxation
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I welcome Commissioner Callinan, his staff and the officials from the Departments. I record my deep appreciation of the work of the Garda Síochána. Given the constituency I represent, I am very conscious that many gardaí go to great lengths to serve the public with courage and conviction. It is very important to note this. Perhaps it is because they are very visible and on...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 26: Collection of Motor Taxation
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: If the Commissioner believes he needs more resources in this area, I suspect it is one on which the Government might look favourably because the issue is so pressing. In terms of strengthening democracy and respect for institutions in the country, it is important that the Commissioner and all those working under him have the resources they require. Can he give any indication of the increase...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 26: Collection of Motor Taxation
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I seem to recall that when Mr. Callinan appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, he suggested that the Garda has adequate resources. Does he still feel that is the case, or does he feel further resources are needed in this area?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 26: Collection of Motor Taxation
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: I would like to ask about one or two other areas. I am concerned that those who go into Garda stations to discuss issues of concern to them are not always afforded sufficient privacy. There have been some improvements in that regard in my own constituency. Can anything more be done? People are often very vulnerable when they approach the Garda desk to ask to see someone. They sometimes...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 26: Collection of Motor Taxation
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2013)

Robert Dowds: Okay. I have a final question for Mr. Callinan. My constituents who come from less wealthy backgrounds - they may be unemployed, for example - sometimes perceive that they are not treated as fairly as people from more middle-class backgrounds. Does the Garda have any training systems or other procedures in place to ensure its members treat people fairly at all times? I can link this with...