Results 18,701-18,720 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Applications (25 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the relevant Local Authority in relation to acquiring a suitable site for the school in question. Due to sensitivities associated with land acquisitions, it is not possible to provide further information in relation to the ongoing work to acquire a permanent site for the school at this time. The Deputy will be aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (25 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. A design team was appointed in March to commence the architectural planning process. However, the Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) subsequently ceased trading and my Department is now dealing directly with the Consultant Architect with a view to filling this position. Due...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am aware of the allegations relating to the specific case. I have asked those in the relevant sections of my Department to make investigations. I have instructed them to ensure that all of the claims the Deputy has put on the record of the House are fully investigated. Some years ago the Department employed a special agency to go on site to...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Obviously what the Deputy has just recounted is a clear instance of the law being broken and blatantly so. This problem has persisted for many years with regard to some builders on some sites. I am absolutely determined, in so far as I can, to ensure that the sites in question are operating correctly and that money raised from taxpayers is properly spent, in accordance with the law. I was...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Economic Management Council consists of four people, two of whom previously held the position of Minister for Health and have some knowledge of how the Department operates. They were not in the Department when the HSE was established. That has been the cause of a great many difficulties as a result of the less than satisfactory way in which it was set up. Budgetary arrangements for...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I answered the Deputy's question; I did not reply to her speech.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I cannot recall a time in the past 25 years when it was not necessary to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Health. The Deputy sitting beside Deputy Mary Lou McDonald has been a Member of the House for some time and possesses wide-ranging knowledge of the health area. I am sure he will concur with what I am saying in this regard. As a result of the fact that the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I share the Deputy's concern about the housing issue. It has, in part, been aggravated by the collapse of the economy and the decimation of the construction industry caused by the previous Administration. At the height of the boom, some 25% of economic activity was related to construction. A more appropriate figure in that regard would have been between 10% and 12%. As the Deputy is...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I agree with much of what the Deputy says, particularly in the context of the need to develop a long-term strategy for housing. It is clear that Part V - as an option to replace traditional local authority housing provision with social housing - has not worked for a host of reasons. Local authorities no longer possess the expertise required to allow them to provide housing and the budget in...

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 9b, motion re membership of committee; the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 has now been completed, so that will not be resumed; No. 9a, Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014, motion to instruct the committee; No. 23, Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 2, Friendly Societies and...

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Deputy Troy will probably be aware that we did not have legal adoption legislation in this country until the early 1950s.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I am told that because of the Constitution and legal constraints around privacy and access, the right of people who were adopted to trace their birth parents is still being considered, because there are legal implications and difficulties. These have, unfortunately, caused a delay in legislation that we all want to see enacted as quickly as possible. In respect of Deputy Troy's second...

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Deputy McDonald should correct me if I am wrong, but I understand she will have a meeting next week with either the Minister or officials in the Department on the matter.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Cabinet agreed earlier this week to the heads of the Bill and it is the intention of the Minister to try to enact legislation providing for medical cards for the survivors of the Magdalen laundries, with the co-operation of both Houses, before the end of this session. That is the intention. That is the information I currently have. I do not have information with regard to the...

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I was not in the House yesterday when the Taoiseach responded, but I gather that, subject to the agreement of the House, if time is available it can be shared between the Technical Group and the others, if that is agreeable. However, it is a matter for the House to decide.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: That sounds reasonable to me. I suggest that Deputy Naughten bring the matter directly to the Whips to see if space, time and agreement can be found to do it.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I would like to see Deputies facilitated in this House. I understand that there is not an offer from the Technical Group, as we speak, for a speaking slot. Perhaps the Deputy present in the House could confirm that. There is no objection on our side to Deputies being able to speak.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Will Deputy McGrath slow it down so that I can understand what he is saying?

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I do not know, but if Deputy McGrath tables a question I am sure he will get the answer.

Order of Business (26 Jun 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Then the Deputy should wait for the answer.