Results 1,901-1,920 of 8,649 for speaker:Seán Crowe

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Fund Deficit (16 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Minister for Social Protection following the revised estimates 2012 which provided for a deficit in the Social Insurance Fund of €1.82 billion in 2012 which her Department has acknowledged is now likely to be exceeded in 2012, the amount by which it is likely to be exceeded; and the amount of the total Departmental spend for 2012 is expected to be. [44564/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Driving Practices (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: A mistake was made in regard to the parliamentary question.

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: These commemorations must be inclusive rather than exclusive. People must engage in dialogue. Before 29 September, a critical situation was averted by the dialogue initiated by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister with the communities that were involved and by talking about the difficult issues that had to be overcome. This is the lesson that must be learned with regard to other...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: Colombia is at a crossroads. The peace talks were supposed to start today, but we are now told it will be tomorrow. I thought the Minister might take this question with Question No. 42, which refers to the Patriotic March, involving elements of Colombian society coming together on this issue. I recently met with groups from the region and their concern is that with these key elements...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: I note the Minister's comments about the role of the EU in this regard. Given that Colombia is at this historic crossroads, perhaps there is something the EU can do in this regard. Some people see the free trade agreement, FTA, with the European Union as legitimising the human rights record in that country. People want to see concrete results in that area. I believe the cut in the...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: I am not familiar with the role of the Irish-Saudi Arabia Business Council. Will Irish businesswomen be involved in the council? I accept it is important to open new markets and the Tánaiste mentioned the €900 million of trade but we must also take into account the human rights situation of citizens not just in Saudi Arabia but in Bahrain, where the Saudi Government is the power...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: Are any Irish women on the council? How does it operate when there are restrictions in Saudi Arabia surrounding women's involvement? The Tánaiste says these are two chambers of commerce coming together so I presume Irish women are involved. Are they full members when they travel as part of any delegation?

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: My concern about the report is that we see a further ratcheting up of the militarisation of the conflict in the region. The underlying worry is nuclear weapons. There are sanctions against the Iranian authorities in regard to the potential of nuclear weapons. There is a strong view around the world that the Israeli Government has nuclear weapons. I do not know the position of the Irish...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: While I am conscious the issue arises from a report in a news publication, I would appreciate it, if the opportunity arises when the Tánaiste meets his German colleague, if the Tánaiste would express concern in respect of the report on the basis of the ratcheting up of conflict in the area. I wish the December conference well. This part of the world is crying out for solutions. I...

Education and Training Boards Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: I begin by wishing my colleague, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, well in his new job as education spokesperson for Sinn Féin. As the man said, he could not do a worse job than I did.

Education and Training Boards Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: I remember this issue came up at committee. I think there was a general welcome across the political spectrum for the legislation and the effort behind it. It ticks a number of boxes in regard to saving money but it is also about reform and change. As a result, some people will be worried about elements of change. I should declare an interest in that I am on the board of management of...

Education and Training Boards Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: We will table amendments but there is broad support for what the Minister is trying to do. It is ambitious and has the potential to bring about major positive changes for society.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of Bahrain's highest court which upheld the jail terms issued against nine medics convicted for their role in last year's pro-democracy uprising, especially the case of Dr. Ali al-Ekry, who was trained here; and if he has raised these cases with the Bahraini Government....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (17 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details on his meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary General; and in view of the fact that there is now widespread agreement that most of the millennium development goals will not be achieved by the deadline of 2015, his policies on shaping a new international development agenda and in particular the efforts...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Staff Issues (18 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to deal with the fact that cuts to staffing and financial resources in the public sector will have a negative impact on tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45118/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Restorative Justice Programmes in Northern Ireland: Discussion (18 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: This discussion has been useful. Earlier this week a report was issued on St. Patrick's Institution which outlined many of the problems that arise in the prisons in Ireland, including intimidation, locking up prisoners for 23 hours per day for their own safety, rapes and other awful things. That is occurring across the board and all of us are aware of young people who went into jail healthy...

Other Questions: National Asset Management Agency (23 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress with delivering homes for leasing which were promised by the National Assets Management Agency at the beginning of 2011 and again this month. [46195/12]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the terms of reference for the special forum of elected members of the four local authorities in Dublin to consider the options for the elected Mayor of Dublin. [46077/12]

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: Last week, before the European Council meeting, I asked the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Irish people, to try his hardest to ensure he got a deal which would solve our unsustainable debt crisis. A week later, the summit has come and gone but no deal has been made to solve the crisis facing people across Europe. At last week’s summit, behind all the spin, doublespeak, mixed messages,...

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Oct 2012)

Seán Crowe: Are we supposed to say “Yippee”? Will it be a great relief to anyone struggling with a mortgage, trying to get a job, pay bills or just trying to get through the week? Well-meaning statements from Europe and its leaders without actions mean nothing. There is some suggestion Ireland may be treated differently with the European Stability Mechanism. I do not believe that can...