Results 21,741-21,760 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (21 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 282. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to enhance the promotion and development of an awareness of the arts and culture with a view to maximising economic benefit in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27356/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (21 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 283. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her support for the arts sector continues to result in continued activity and employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27357/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting (21 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 284. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters throughout the country in respect the various bogs affected have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27358/18]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Creative Ireland Programme (21 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 285. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to liaise with local voluntary groups throughout County Kildare and countrywide in respect of various grant aid available for local productions involved in the promotion of the arts through community effort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27359/18]

Summer Economic Statement 2018: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: -----but he obviously does not accept compliments. Deputy Paul Murphy admitted previously in the House that he was in favour of total unemployment. That is the reverse of Government policy. For the first time in the history of the State we have achieved employment of more than two million people. I remember in the 1980s it was a struggle to get employment past 1 million. The people of...

Summer Economic Statement 2018: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I thank my colleague for sharing time with me. The red light on the microphone has just come on; it is a bit reluctant but it is working. I compliment the Minister and the Government on their economic policy so far. It has been spectacularly successful. That does not mean there are not issues such as the housing issue, which is a major one. I accept fully the point some Members made that...

Summer Economic Statement 2018: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Deputy Healy had his say and I did not interrupt him. I was only trying to compliment him-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I have raised many times the issue of our bail laws and their efficacy in dealing with those who reoffend. Is the bail (amendment) Act, as administered by the courts, effective? Is it making a difference or are further amendments needed?

Other Questions: Election Management System (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: As a vehement opponent of electronic voting in the past, I ask the Minister of State to bear in mind that voting is a democratic principle that requires a certain amount of ceremony, attention and care. We should, as a consequence, take it very seriously. The Minister of State should take on board the concept of updating the electoral register. An Post is the most appropriate body to do...

Other Questions: Election Management System (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I will finish my supplementary question and I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for protecting a Member of the House.

Other Questions: Election Management System (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Will the Minister of State bear in mind that despite considerable scientific investment being made on the previous occasion electronic voting was proposed, the model was found to be totally inappropriate for the Irish system? Adopting such a process would leave voting in this country open to manipulation, as has happened in other, bigger jurisdictions. Will the Minister of State bear in...

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: There are various issues arising in this context. For example, the calorie content in alcohol, which is a health issue. I would have no objection to the indication on alcoholic beverages of calorie content. It is recognised that some beverages, including non-alcoholic beverages, have a huge calorie content and that they have a detrimental effect on people's health. The Minister of State...

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I have no objection in principle at all. It is largely technical in any event and I do not believe it is a major issue. I do not have a problem with it.

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: In the interests of conviviality I would be generally in agreement with that. It would serve all needs. Would Deputies not agree?

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I agree with the two previous speakers. A health committee must be very careful about what it says and does and what message it sends out in terms of adherence to good practice. The issue that has arisen in this particular case concerns the space devoted to warning people who might consume alcohol. That is understandable. I presume Irish products are no more carcinogenic than products...

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: There is a reference to measurement of calories, which the Minister of State mentioned earlier. It is very important and special emphasis should be placed on that. It affects a series of health issues that are very pertinent nowadays for young people in particular. This should be kept in mind in examining the Bill's text. Will the Minister of State comment on that? I presume it applies...

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I would ask the proposer to defer. There is always an opportunity on the next Stage. The Minister can introduce an amendment along those lines or along agreed lines between the Deputy and the Minister. I understand the Deputy's concerns. Nonetheless, I would also like to hear a little bit more about it from the Minister of State. Like everybody else, I have discussed this issue and the...

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Presumably this will comply with EU regulations and directives and the ministerial regulations that are to follow will also comply.

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Presumably, it will apply to all products sold in this country, whether imported or otherwise.

Select Committee on Health: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Bernard Durkan: How will that labelling be done? If a product is manufactured in France, I presume the labelling will be done in Ireland. Alternatively, would it be done in France for the Irish market? Will products manufactured in the United States be labelled there for the Irish market? I do not disagree with the measure, but I am concerned about the practicalities of its application. It might not be...