Results 19,581-19,600 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (21 Oct 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 238: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he has taken or proposes to take to increase interest in the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37892/09]

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (21 Oct 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he has taken or proposes to take in response to the recent campaign by leading actors to promote the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37893/09]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Oct 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 245: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 18; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37877/09]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Oct 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 251: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when unemployment assistance or benefit will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37896/09]

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (21 Oct 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 284: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action he will take to promote interest in the arts at primary and second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37891/09]

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: On that issue-----

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: If it transpires that it is impossible to extricate the Bills from the Seanad within a reasonable period, there is always the option of withdrawing them from the Seanad and reintroducing them in this House. That would return the matter to the jurisdiction of the Dáil in a timely fashion.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I again seek the assistance of the Ceann Comhairle who kindly offered me assistance on the last occasion I raised this issue, namely, whether we could discourage the reluctance of particular Ministers to reply in this House to questions relevant to their Departments, but now one step removed, to such agencies as FÁS and the HSE. The Ceann Comhairle kindly arranged-----

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: This matter is relevant to the manner in which we order the business of this House. The Ceann Comhairle suggested I should raise the matter on the Adjournment, which I was reluctant to do. I undertook some research and I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will be interested to hear that of the 39 Adjournment Debate matters taken in this House since the beginning of this session, two were answered...

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: The Ceann Comhairle is the only person who can help us and I am asking for his help now.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: There is only one way this matter can be addressed. There is an erosion of democracy in this House.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Over a period, Ministers have become more reluctant and less inclined to answer questions relevant to their Departments and this is causing problems.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I also investigated it.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I can assure the Ceann Comhairle and, I am sure, he can assure me because he knows best-----

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I have a better way. I am seeking that this House revert to previous best practice. That would not require any reform. We would simply have to go back to where we were.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I would like to make a final point. If I can show the Ceann Comhairle questions that were answered by Ministers ten years ago which are now being refused by Ministers of those Departments, will he accept my word then?

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: The Ceann Comhairle seems to be reluctant to take into account my suggestion to him.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: The Taoiseach knows that what I am saying is true. There are a number of Ministers, one or two of whom are sitting opposite now, who know also that what I am saying is true.

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I am pleading with the Ceann Comhairle to-----

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Bernard Durkan: -----allow the Taoiseach to deal with the issue. This issue is going to arise again and again.