Results 1,741-1,760 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I am sorry.

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: The Deputy asked whether some of the proposals dealt with by the sub-committee on Dáil reform could be introduced on an incremental basis. I have not had the opportunity to sit on that committee. I understand that sub-committee had eight meetings and I have read the minutes and the progress on it. However, reading those is not the same as attending and listening to the debate and...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: The sub-committee on Dáil reform last met on 27 January. I believe it has had eight meetings in total. I acknowledge I am chairperson. I may well call a meeting of it. Before doing so I intend to have the bilateral meetings over the coming weeks. The Deputy asked if we could do things on an incremental basis. If there was consensus on a number of issue I would not see any reason some...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: It was a general comment and I will respond to it. It should not be inferred from anything I have said or tried to convey that I am trying to stampede anything through. In response specifically to Deputy Stanton, I asked how to deal with the entire package being worked on by the sub-committee dealing with Dáil reform, which had advanced over a number of meetings, if there was no...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: The Deputy's first point was about Thursday mornings and the lack of Leaders' Questions. While there is none, there is an Order of Business. Recently, the scope of matters raised on the Order of Business has broadened. The Deputy asked whether I would give a commitment to introducing this type of questioning on Thursday, but I will answer him exactly as I answered Deputy Stanton - "No". I...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: It is an item for consideration. At times, it might be believed that there is not much progress. Given the complexity, trying to achieve an overall agreement has proven difficult. This is not my experience, but the experience of those who went before me. On 18 November, the standing Sub-committee on Dáil Reform had a comprehensive meeting. I will not read out everything, only the main...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I do.

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I will read into the record what occurred. The sub-committee went through everything. Without being smart, this is the reason I want a series of bilateral meetings. I am restricted to what I am reading in the minutes. The sub-committee addressed a range of issues. It has resumed its consideration of proposals and agreed the routine of business for each day. According to the minutes, the...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: Only one or maybe two. Since I did not attend those meetings, I want bilateral meetings. I am reading the conclusions rather than the content of the meetings.

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I thank the Deputy.

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: First, I wish to make a distinction on the type of questions asked by Deputy Ó Caoláin, in that they primarily pertain to electoral reform rather than reform of Dáil procedures per se, which primarily is what is being addressed here, that is, how Members do their business. As for the broader issue of electoral reform, both the programme for Government and the revised programme for...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I will be brief in an effort to accommodate everyone. I reiterate that the point the Deputy has again raised with regard to by-elections, timings and so forth is very much an issue for the independent electoral commission that is to be established. It will be very much within its remit to make such recommendations. I reiterate that, in respect of cross-Border representation, I will revert...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: Deputy Flanagan, I hope the Order of Business today goes somewhat better and that at 5.30 p.m. we will have progressed beyond it. On a serious note, Deputy O'Dowd asked about reform of the committees and compellability of witnesses. I understand that constitutional issues arise in this regard which need to be developed and teased out. We did not really discuss this matter here and at times...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I had considerable experience during the development of the national drugs strategy, when I appeared before the relevant committee and answered specific questions on an ongoing basis. The committee system is far superior to the thrust of what goes on here with regard to the detail that might be required. We did not discuss the committee system when we spoke about reform but we should not...

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Resolution of the Dáil of 14 June 2007, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Social Protection, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister for...

Written Answers — Household Medical Expenditure: Household Medical Expenditure (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 138, inclusive, together. The table shows the average annual household expenditure in April 2010 for each category of medical (including dentists and opticians) expenditure listed. The data are derived from the latest available Household Budget Survey (2004/2005). The expenditure in each category has been adjusted for inflation using the change in a...

Issue of Writ: Waterford By-election (19 May 2010)

John Curran: I will share time with Deputy Brendan Kenneally. I pay tribute to the political career of Martin Cullen, and along with his Fianna Fáil colleagues his strong record of delivering for the people of Waterford. Taking a seat in the House in Waterford in 1987, Martin Cullen went on to become a strong advocate for the people of Waterford and their interests. Working with Fianna Fáil...

Issue of Writ: Waterford By-election (19 May 2010)

John Curran: I understand that it probably would have been somewhat difficult for Fine Gael to move the writ and table this motion for the Dublin constituency from which its member resigned, even thought it predates the vacancy caused by the departure of Martin Cullen. In that regard I view this------

Issue of Writ: Waterford By-election (19 May 2010)

John Curran: In this regard I refer to this as political opportunism on the part of Deputy Kenny.

Written Answers — Departmental Statistics: Departmental Statistics (19 May 2010)

John Curran: The information requested for 2009 is not yet available. Vehicle Kilometres travelled by private car in 2009 will be available on publication of the Central Statistics Office's Transport Omnibus for 2009, which is expected for November 2010. Information from 2000 to 2008 is given in table 1 below. Table 1: Vehicle Kilometres Travelled by National Fleet and Vehicle Type, 2000-2008 Year...