Results 24,261-24,280 of 26,256 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Numbers (20 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards in place on both the 31 December 2010 and the 31 December 2011; the number of general practitioner visit cards in place on both the 31 December 2010 and the 31 December 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/13]

Other Questions: European Council Meetings (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Does the Minister of State have a view, or will he explore with the Minister for Defence whether he considers it appropriate that there is not in fact a formal council of European Defence Ministers, when one considers the range of security and other issues that arise for us on an ongoing basis? In addition, it is necessary to engage with Ms Ashton about her international responsibilities....

Other Questions: European Defence Agency (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: European defence experts will gather in Brussels on 21 March for the European Defence Agency annual conference. Will the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, be in attendance at that event? Can the Minister of State tell us the role Ireland plays in research and innovation in the security sector? Is it expanding and is this an area the Government is looking to grow as a research area? A...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish Brigadier General Gerald Aherne success. He is currently leading that mission. We were told last month that the EU was planning to gradually move the mission's training activities from Uganda to Mogadishu. There was a growing sense that it was a safe initiative to take. Can the Minister of State provide an update on whether it is going ahead? What criteria do the Defence Forces...

Other Questions: European Defence Capabilities (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister of State for his response. This issue arises from statements from the Minister last month, when he told us that in addressing the impact of the financial crisis on defence, including collaboration in the provision of defence capabilities, pooling and sharing was a priority. What defence capabilities does the Minister of State regard as appropriate for pooling and...

Other Questions: Army Equitation School (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I rise simply to commend the Minister on his response and his assurance that the future of the equitation school is secure. I commend all of those who have been involved in the school over the years. It has been an outstanding example of the positive contribution the Defence Forces can make to the country as a whole and, in particular, to the bloodstock industry and the excellence of the...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I will be brief as I know other Members want to comment on this issue. I assume all Members in this House are proud of the role our Defence Forces have played in a number of international fora around the world but I know also there is a degree of unease in the country about this particular mission. For that reason I support Deputy Mac Lochlainn's proposal that while it is not necessary to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Does the Minister agree that if one considers the recent history of the Defence Forces, it is obvious that massive reform and reorganisation were willingly agreed with personnel in the late 1990s and early 2000s? Does he also agree that when other areas of the public service were expanding massively, in a manner that was counter-cyclical, the Defence Forces were becoming more slimmed-down...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the restructuring of the Defence Forces; the savings that have resulted from the disestablishment of the Western Brigade; the feedback, if any, that he has received from members of the Defence Forces with regard to this restructuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13493/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: It is regrettable that this issue is raised month after month. It reflects the extent to which the unilateral decision by the Minister in announcing the disestablishment of the 3rd Western Brigade came as a shock to members of the Defence Forces who are looking to the Green Paper initiative to form the basis for the reforms. I am a little disappointed that the notes supplied to the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Spending (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Defence the way Ireland's defence expenditure as a share of GDP compares with those EU nations who are not members of NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13268/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Spending (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister of State. I think this is the second year in succession that he has been here for St. Patrick's week. I do not know whether he is averse to travel or keeps drawing the short straw. His answer indicates clearly that Ireland's expenditure on defence has been very low as a proportion of GDP compared to other non-NATO members. I would like to explore by way of a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Spending (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am anxious to discover how these income reductions will impact on the percentage of GDP that is expended. The Minister conceded here last month that quite a number of Defence Forces members are in receipt of income support through the family income supplement. I doubt this is true of defence force members in other EU member states. On top of that, if Defence Forces personnel are to...

Topical Issue Debate: Tallaght Hospital Patient X-rays (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome much of the positive content in the Minister of State's reply. I reiterate that an internal memo in the radiology department has pointed to the possibility of some medical risk. We are all committed to ensuring medical risk is reduced in all circumstances. I am sure the Minister of State shares that commitment. Aside from the issue of medical risk, it must be pointed out that...

Topical Issue Debate: Tallaght Hospital Patient X-rays (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am grateful for the selection of this important issue for discussion. Deputy Connaughton raised a point earlier which was graciously accepted by the Minister of State and which is important to put on the record. This Topical Issue debate has become an important part of the minimalist Dáil reform we have seen. The Whips and members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pension Provisions (14 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the restoration of outstanding pension entitlements to a Health Service Executive pensioner (details supplied) following a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13500/13]

Other Questions: National Monuments (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy McLellan comprehensively outlined the importance of the site and I share her views. I appreciate the intricacies of the planning system and the sensitivities involved but can the Minister indicate a definite timeframe in which a decision will be made on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street? It was previously suggested that tripartite meetings should be arranged between the National Museum, the...

Other Questions: National Monuments (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Notwithstanding all that the Minister has said, is it possible that 2016 will have come and gone before the matter has been resolved?

Other Questions: State Art Collection (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his response. There are two areas of concern. Last October, the OPW reported that 37 pieces of art in these Houses were unaccounted for and this was widely reported in the national press at the time. What has happened to these? Given that I come from Kildare I am especially interested in the fact that there was apparently a theft of items which were being kept in...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am content.