Results 15,361-15,380 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I agree with the Deputy's approach. Indeed, our own parliamentary party discussed this challenge last week. I am sure it is replicated in parts of the Deputy's constituency, as it is in parts of mine. Most Deputies experience the same and there is a resolve to see a response in the north inner city, which has particularly acute experience. As a former school principal in the area, the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising what I believe is an important question. There is no doubt that Ireland has changed and citizens have different expectations of all Departments, but most particularly in the area of education. It is my ambition to help parents to have access to the school of their choice. As the Deputy rightly points out, over 95% of our schools are denominational, and my...

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I do not agree with the Deputy. Children do different things during the course of the school day. If we can create a model that is acceptable to a lot of parents and that offers diversity within that school, it is something to be celebrated.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is something we should include. It is not the exclusive model. We will have the Educate Together model, the gaelscoil model, some denominational models and so on. Diversity, with different education offerings to parents who want different things, is the right approach. On the issue of the Equal Status Act, it was not considered in the admissions Bill that was introduced during the...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is proposed to take No. b11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland’s accession to the memorandum of understanding concerning the principles for the establishment and operation of a battle group; No. c11, motion re report of the Sub-committee on Dáil Reform regarding changes to Standing Orders; No. 5, Single Resolution Board (Loan Facility Agreement)...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: The disability Bill will be the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as committees are established. That is fairly advanced. On the electoral commission Bill, a consultation paper has come from the committee and that is being discussed in the Department. Obviously, that will have to reflect on the pre-legislative scrutiny before it comes back to the House.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: The misuse of drugs legislation is being treated as a priority and will be dealt with in this session. On the issue of mental health services, I assure the Deputy that a great deal of care was put into the preparation of the programme for Government in respect of mental health. It is a shared priority of those who were involved in the negotiations, as it is within the Oireachtas as a...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: That is the intention. It will be an issue for the committee to decide whether it requires legislative scrutiny, but the Government is treating it as a priority.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: Shortly. There is work being done on it.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: That is my understanding, yes.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I cannot answer on the Minister's approach to the elements of the service charge and therefore I will ask him to respond to the Deputy.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I have not had the opportunity to see the report from the committee on human rights but I absolutely sympathise and understand the concern of Deputies for any woman with a fatal foetal abnormality. I obviously cannot answer for what action the Government will take on foot of this finding. As the Deputy knows, change in the area requires an amendment of our Constitution, as Deputies have...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: The Oireachtas will of course have the final decision in this regard.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: One of the experiences-----

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am allowed to respond to the questions.

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: In the last Dáil there were hearings with expert advice. That allowed Deputies to see in a dispassionate way how difficult issues can be handled and it was of benefit to the Oireachtas. It had an impact and we know some Deputies could not accept it but that process allowed the Dáil to reach conclusions on an issue of the recognition of constitutional rights being converted into...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand, as the Deputy noted, that some workers in the Central Remedial Clinic are members of a pension fund that has got into funding difficulties. The board has decided to close the fund and that has major implications for those involved. I understand from the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, that representatives of the Health Service Executive, HSE, met representatives from the...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I welcome the Deputy's interest in this plan as I know it is an area in which we have worked together. I am grateful that the south east has one of the fastest growing employment rates in any region, although I fully realise it is coming from a position where it had many structural problems. There has been real success in the south east and the approach we have taken of creating a regional...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. There is no doubt the restoration of the mental health budget is universally welcomed, if one listens to the debate here. It puts the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, in a position to develop a programme and it will obviously include recruitment of staff. As the Deputy notes, it can also consider other areas. I know the Minister of State,...

Order of Business (9 Jun 2016)

Richard Bruton: My understanding is the consolidated Book of Estimates will be in for debate next week. I am sure it will be published ahead of that. I am not aware of the discussions at European-----