Results 13,141-13,160 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: The Tánaiste needs to get real on this issue.

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I wish to bring to the attention of the Tánaiste an issue of which we are constantly reminded——

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I do not want to read out a list of Bills, with the exception of those Bills that relate to the escalating levels of crime. There is an urgent need to move one of the Bills that is promised on either the pink sheet or the white sheet, if only to give an indication that this House is conscious of the increased levels of crime and the need to do something urgent about it.

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: One example is the criminal justice miscellaneous provisions Bill. It is on the pink sheet. I also have another example of such Bills and I implore the Taoiseach-designate to bring that forward as quickly as possible. I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and others have received constant reminders from pharmacists all over the country with regard to——

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It has not been dealt with in the context of the ongoing problem whereby people who are in need of services from pharmacies fear that the service they enjoy will be phased out.

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I know that they will be taken in this session, but that is no longer good enough.

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: At what stage in this session will the pharmacy (No. 2) Bill come before the Houses so that we can have a debate on the issue in general?

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: When will it be taken during this session? We must be more precise than that.

Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: This session lasts until Christmas.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It is ironic to note, when we have just had a vote on many of the issues which are for debate in the course of this referendum campaign, that if the referendum was passed and the Lisbon treaty of reform was passed and approved by all Europeans, the kind of problems now faced by the agri-food sector probably would not occur at all. I should mention that some years ago I was Chairman of the...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I am glad to hear we do not shilly-shally. Sitting on a fence is a dangerous and sore place, as Deputy McGrath will know the longer he sits on it.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Through the Chair——

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I was being provoked, Acting Chairman. When I get provoked I lose control of myself completely. I apologise entirely. I want to say this for the benefit of my heckler who, I am told, is waiting for a call at present. In that situation, as elected Members of a sovereign Parliament——

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: He had the wrong door. There was silence from that one. There would be an echo. As Members of Parliament with a mandate from the people, whether those inside or outside like it or not, we have a responsibility to the people who elect us. We then must represent those people and their best interests in the interests of the country and in the interests of the community at large. We, on all...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: ——that there should be room and space in Parliament for those who do not hold that view. There is, and there was. It happened less than a year ago and if the people did not see fit to provide for that way of thinking, then it is not possible to arrange. One cannot arrange democracy. One cannot configure it in such a way. Our proportional representation system has already catered for...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: That is beneficial to the public at large, it is beneficial to the elected representatives and it is beneficial to the country. Sadly and wrongly, all politicians seem to reach the conclusion that when something goes wrong one should blame Brussels for it being wrong because they did not do what they should have done. In fact, that is not the case at all. We are our own masters. We...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I thought it was something that he had in mind and my worst fears have been realised. Can I say that it takes a little bit longer than the ten minutes available to us to develop all the themes relating to this issue? I honestly believe that the Lisbon treaty is an honest treaty that does more to address the issues of concern we had than any other treaty I have seen heretofore. One cannot...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which he will take action against criminal gang bosses living overseas and continuing to organise their criminal empires and enjoy their ill-gotten gains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/08]

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he will take to combat the continued growth of violent crime, organised criminal gangs, intimidation of witnesses, extortion, protection, racketeering and money laundering; if it is intended to take particular initiatives to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14090/08]

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (17 Apr 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 591: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to prevent anti-social behaviour; the number of cases reported to the Gardaí since the introduction of the legislation; the number of prosecutions arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/08]