Results 22,721-22,740 of 26,256 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Will we have an independent public inquiry?

Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Not agreed. I understand this matter was debated at some length by the select committee on public services recently.

Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: At that meeting information was sought by my colleague, Deputy Sean Fleming. This information, relevant to these Supplementary Estimates, was to be supplied but, to date, despite it being requested again by Deputy Fleming and me via the Whips' office, we are sitting here being asked to approve the taking of the Supplementary Estimates without the information having been supplied. I put it...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Yesterday was International Human Rights Day. It came, as Members know, a week after the tragic death of Jonathan Corrie across the street. It came on a day when tens of thousands gathered outside this House to protest against Government policy on water. Many of the protesters consider the water policy as a public rights issue. It also came in the aftermath of the frightening exposé...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister’s response but it is pretty inadequate because, first and foremost, we need a pretty clear commitment at this stage to Childline. That is the point to which children at risk direct their attention and that is where they expect to receive the psychological and emotional support-----

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: -----they so desperately need. The sum of money involved, namely, €600,000, is not astronomical. It is not beyond the ability of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to give a commitment to provide the money.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: It is through ratification of the Istanbul Convention, and its practical application, including the provision of resources to enable its ratification, that we can do something meaningful to combat violence, in particular against women around the country. We are already in a situation where the number of women’s shelters is hopelessly inadequate. In my constituency, a hostel was...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (11 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) who is applying for third level aid for the academic year 2014-2015 for their second year of study is being assessed on their means and independent living status in October 2012; the reason behind this decision; her views that this is the most suitable way of assessment; and if she will make a statement...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I commend the Minister on meeting some of the relatives. I encourage her to continue that work. Recently, I became conscious of the fact that there may be a large number of relatives, including internationally. Among the criticisms voiced about the commemorative ceremonies was the opinion that the Government was treating the situation like the homecoming or whatever we called that festival...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Gathering. There may be some merit in reaching out nationally and internationally to people with direct connections to those who fought and died in this formative event in Irish history. Has the Department plans in that regard?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: A figure of €4 million has been mentioned in the context of the commemorative ceremonies. In the limited time available, will the Minister tell the House a little about that? Will the €4 million be channelled through the Arts Council? Is it for specific arts-related projects or is it for marketing and PR in respect of the ceremonies? Does the Arts Council envisage mounting...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Air Strips (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: It is not very often that the Deputy is absent, especially if there is a question to be asked.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 96. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views about the discontent of some relatives of those who partook in the 1916 Rising with regard to the centenary commemoration plans; if she has requested a meeting with these relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46807/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wonder whether the Minister has met some of the relatives of the 1916 participants who have expressed their disappointment with the commemoration ceremonies. I hope she will meet as many as possible of the representative groups, disparate as they are, before final plans are made for the commemoration.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 93. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the current funding situation of the National Museum of Ireland; the way she will address the funding difficulties of this institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46806/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This question was tabled in the context of the difficulties of the National Museum and the indication of its possible closure or introduction of charges. That came against a background of a 40% cut in funding over the past few years. Fair play to the Minister, I congratulate her on having secured the additional €2 million which hopefully will be used to the benefit of the cultural...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for her response which I welcome. It is positive. It begs the question whether this €2 million in funding will be secured in future. Will the Minister explain how she envisages the funding breaking down between the National Museum and the National Library? We are aware of the difficulties in the National Museum. There are serious difficulties too in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I understood that the National Museum required 650,000 to continue to operate as heretofore notwithstanding the constraints it is now under. I also understand that the National Library had indicated that it needed a 20% increase in its level of funding to be able to contain the additional pressure it is under due to the increased number of visitors. That is the extent of the commitment the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: If moving to a pro bonobasis was the objective, sadly it would appear that the objective has not been achieved. Are the chair and the five new members being remunerated or not? If they are, how many are being remunerated and how many have opted to serve in accordance with the original advertisement which suggested it would be done on a pro bonobasis? The Minister has said that she does not...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: That is not satisfactory.