Results 23,621-23,640 of 26,256 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This relates to the issue of lariam, which is an issue that I and other colleagues have raised before and I am sure we will continue to raise it in the period ahead. We are trying to ascertain if medical risk assessments have been carried in respect of those members of the Defence Forces who have had lariam prescribed to them.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: On 9 October 2009 and 6 July 2010, the director of administration wrote to express serious concern about this issue of risk assessment. Specifically he suggested the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 needs to be adhered to and a medical risk assessment needs to be carried out because of genuine concerns about the use of lariam. A similar concern was expressed on 6 July when he...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I will do my best to stick to the time.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 1. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on recent comments by the representative association for commissioned officers that the strength of the Defence Forces has been reduced as far as it can go, that the Government cannot expect badly needed weaponry and equipment to be funded by savings from further personnel reductions, that the recent incident in Syria where 36 Irish troops serving...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The question reflects concerns expressed recently at the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, conference about the issue of equipping the Defence Forces and assurances the organisation is seeking that the Defence Forces will not see its numbers further reduced to ensure it has the equipment necessary. This arises against a background of the recent serious incident in Syria.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I should add that from a report received from the UN authorities on the ground and from the information available, there is no indication there was a deliberate targeting of the UN on that occasion, contrary to some reports. We welcome these final remarks and we welcome the fact that Irish troops were not targeted. I have accepted the Minister's assertions that he has fixed on the figure of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We may well accept those points. I refer to the impact on members of the Defence Forces arising out of the reorganisation and, in particular, the difficulties for people originally based in Athlone. If someone lives west of the Shannon and north of a line from Longford to Galway, he or she spends 50% of time commuting, according to RACO. Additionally, the organisation says no serving...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battle Groups (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 13. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Government has approved Defence Forces participation in any future battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52903/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Gender Balance Issues (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 14. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have a target for gender balance among members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52906/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 15. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a report on the most recent meeting of the European Foreign Affairs Council of defence ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52907/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 20. To ask the Minister for Defence when the next meeting of the national emergency co-ordination committee will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52904/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 26. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason he did not attend this year's biennial RACO conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52905/13]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Visits (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 94. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of visits that have been arranged by his Department for foreign dignitaries who are on official State visits to Ireland to any institution under his Department's aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53245/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (11 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 171. To ask the Minister for Health if he will approve a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53163/13]

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The legislative programme includes two references to important Bills on universities, namely, the universities (amendment) Bill which aims to deal with remuneration, allowances and pensions which need to be addressed urgently and No. 76, technological universities Bill, which aims to amend the DIT and HEA Acts. Can we expect to see urgent action on these Bills? Will they be brought before...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 11. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has assessed the cost benefits of the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51930/13]

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I have raised the question of the Antarctic Treaty both with the Tánaiste and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on a number of occasions. Sometimes one meets with a certain sense of fun coming from the Government side in terms of the treaty, and this week the Tánaiste, or perhaps it was the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, wondered were we going to bring on...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: While I appreciate the points the Minister is making, I do not agree with him. In excess of 40 countries have ratified the treaty at this stage. The year 2014 marks the centennial anniversary of the launch of the Endurance trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-17. It is rightly seen as perhaps the most remarkable exploration in history, a tale of extraordinary leadership by Shackleton and a...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: What the Minister said in conclusion is highly relevant. I would be practical in terms of my approach to environmental matters. We cannot save the world on our own. We cannot turn back the effects of climate change on our own. However, we can make a difference and we can fulfil the responsibilities that fall to us. What disappoints me about what the Minister is saying is his refusal to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school project (details supplied) in County Kildare in the Department's capital programme; the way the project is progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52336/13]