Results 1,641-1,660 of 3,707 for speaker:Brian O'Shea

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (22 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 154: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of radiotherapy for public cancer patients at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6982/07]

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent decision of the EU Environment Council to commit to a 20% reduction on carbon emissions by 2020; the consequential levels of carbon reduction that will be required from Ireland; and the way he proposes that Ireland will achieve those new targets. [7463/07]

Written Answers — House Sizes: House Sizes (27 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 207: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average size of a new house in Dublin and nationally in July 1997 and corresponding average sizes now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7462/07]

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (27 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 444: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views, with reference to financial support to Mná Ti who accommodate students in the Gaeltacht under the Irish language learners scheme to bring their houses up to standard to meet health and safety regulations on the extension of the deadline to have engineers' reports submitted as it may not be possible to...

Written Answers — Ferry Passenger Facilities: Ferry Passenger Facilities (27 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 445: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department is in a position to assist in providing a shelter for ferry passengers at the ferry terminals at Leabgarrow, Aranmore Island and Burtonport, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7786/07]

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when work will commence on the development of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language to increase the use and knowledge of the language nationally; and the length of time it is estimated that this work will take. [7879/07]

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: The Minister's answer is like the statement on the Irish language made in December — nothing really new or much in it. The Minister has a litany of projects that were started but not finished. For instance, Fóram na Gaeilge was to develop a 20-year strategy but very little has emanated from it. The Minister initiated an analysis of the Gaeltacht boundaries but again the work is not...

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: How will the Minister develop the strategy in the remaining lifetime of the Government? Essentially, the statement was a sop, with no thought given to a structure to develop a proper strategy.

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: The Minister is perfectly right.

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Obviously, the boundaries of the Gaeltacht will not be changed in the remaining lifetime of the Government. The Minister referred to the Acht teanga and the stádas oifigúil in Europe, his two main achievements. Has this enticed people to become committed to the Irish language? The strategy must be all-inclusive for Gaeltacht and Galltacht. Its most important aim must be to enlarge the...

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Will the Minister provide me with the empirical information to back up this assertion?

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Question 74: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to encourage and promote extensive research into the extent of illegal drug-taking in the State; and the reasons there is an apparent increase in illegal drug-taking across the whole community. [7880/07]

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In the context of research, it is more pertinent nowadays to examine some issues with a view to developing solid data on them. For instance, why are people taking up this habit in ever growing numbers? According to recent statistics, drug seizures in Ireland last year amount to €40 million. If one takes the lower international seizure rate...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Yes, but I am trying to provide some background. Essentially, one of the recommendations was to examine more closely the damage that cannabis does, particularly to pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Why do people take up the habit and what are the inherent dangers of using specific drugs? Such dangers may not yet be fully recognised, so we need to investigate that situation...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: There is some scientific evidence of the damage being done to unborn children when their mothers smoke cannabis, particularly in early pregnancy. For instance, there is a propensity for such children to develop disorders like ADD and ADHD. Does the Minister of State agree that we should examine this matter more closely? When solid evidence becomes available one way or another it should be...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: Should we not seek to discover that information more urgently and spend resources on doing so?

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: There will be more than six minutes allocated to these questions.

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: I am impressed by the progress made on this issue by the Minister and compliment him on the work that is being done. The Minister indicated that the ten walk managers will be located where there are clusters of walkways. What are the functions of these walk managers? The issue of access to land was mentioned and I am concerned about access to sand dunes because I can see in my town,...

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: My understanding is that this centre was intended to develop áiseanna, teaching aids, books and so on for Gaeltacht schools, scoileanna Gaeilge and any schools within the system that wish to use such material. Am I correct in this recollection?

Irish Language. (28 Feb 2007)

Brian O'Shea: I receive a significant number of representations on this matter. The sod was turned for this project by the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, before the last general election. Is there any realistic chance the Government will proceed with it?