Results 24,281-24,300 of 26,268 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

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.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline financial supports given to arts centres on a county by county basis in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13147/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Tá mé buíoch den Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I tabled this question in the context of two important developments - two significant speeches made by the President, Michael D. Higgins, in Paris recently, one at UNESCO and other in the Pompidou Centre where he talked about the importance, not least at a time of recession, of investment in the arts and culture and also the very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am impressed by the Minister's reply, for which I thank him. I am reassured by what he said and sure we will have an opportunity to return to this matter again. In the light of what has happened in Limerick, has the Minister had any engagement with the Arts Council or is it surveying arts centres across the country to ensure other centres will not find themselves in the same situation as...

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.

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?

Maternity Protection (Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas) Bill 2013: First Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide maternity leave for female members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and to provide for related matters.