Results 1,721-1,740 of 3,895 for speaker:John Halligan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Data (3 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: 731. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone ostomy operations here in the years, 2010 to 2014; the number of persons here who currently have either an iliostomy bag or a colonostomy bag; his plans to include this condition in the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/15]

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: The Government took 500 beds out of the system.

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: I do not wish to go into critical mode. Much has been said about the cuts to child benefit, grants for school clothing and rent payments and taxing maternity benefit. It is accepted across the world, even by the World Health Organization, that the issues of social welfare and poverty are interlinked. The vast majority of those who are impoverished are on very low pay or in receipt of...

Travellers' Rights: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: It is estimated that there are approximately 22,000 Travellers in Ireland, perhaps 4,500 families. With regard to the history of the Traveller community, experts say that the separation from settled communities happened 1,000 to 2,000 years ago. That makes it, to my mind and the minds of the experts, a distinct ethnic minority. It is interesting that the UN Committee on the Elimination of...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: Drink and drug-driving prosecutions are perhaps the most challenged legislation in our courts. Just yesterday, the relevant Minister, Deputy Donohoe, acknowledged to the Road Safety Authority that the laws are full of loopholes. Of the motorists before the District Court for drink-driving - we should bear in mind this only happens after they are tested positive for being over the alcohol...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: I thank the Taoiseach for his response. As we know, one in three road crashes in this country is alcohol-related. The issue here is that the day after a crash, a drunk driver who was involved in that crash, even if it has resulted in the loss of life, is free to get behind the wheel again. I am not passing any comment on the individual case, but this individual was actually photographed in...

Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: This is dragging on for 15 minutes. It is ridiculous.

Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: Fifteen minutes of Leaders' Questions. This is ridiculous.

Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: Has Leaders' Questions been extended?

Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: What happened to debt write-downs for mortgages?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister of State (12 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: We have received a very comprehensive document. I would like to speak about a number of issues, but because there are time restraints, I will talk about the migration crisis. It is quite obvious to many people seven or eight years ago that the problem had been completely underestimated by the European Union, when many organisations working in conflict areas were indicating that it would...

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: With respect to Government Deputies, it disturbs and upsets me in debates in this Chamber when the Government refuses to accept legislation proposed by Opposition Deputies who have invested a great deal of effort and thought in producing their Bills. It takes a similar position on Opposition amendments to Government Bills and I am tired of this approach. It calls to mind the debate on...

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: I will take it at face value that the Minister of State will do it, but the history of that being done is that the Government comes back and votes against it. He has to accept-----

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: I know the Minister of State and I hope he will. I can only emphasise that at times some of us here do what we think is right not for ourselves or the Opposition but for the country. If one looks at what Deputy Catherine Murphy has done and the intricate detail she has gone into, there are areas that are faulty. It is obvious and legal views support that. I appeal to the Minister of State...

Paris Terrorist Attack: Statements (17 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: On behalf of the Technical Group, I offer my condolences to the relatives of all those who were killed or injured in the abominable Paris attack. We also offer our condolences to the French people and the democratically elected Government of France. Like many others in Ireland, I regularly visit France. I travel to Paris, Perpignan and Nantes and will continue to do so, as will many...

Leaders' Questions (18 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil got longer to speak.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: There is no rush.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: If members of the general public are listening to this debate, they could easily become confused. I was in my office listening to some Government Deputies talking about the need to build more houses. We are the ones saying more houses need to be built, so I think there is some confusion. It is easy to say we need to build more houses. The exact nature of the problem is that we are not...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: What is the Tánaiste going to do about the people with variable rate mortgages?

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

John Halligan: It is twice the European average.