Results 27,021-27,040 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I will take the same liberty the Ceann Comhairle has afforded everyone else. I regard this as one of the most important issues in the public realm and to deal with it in 30 seconds would be an insult to this House.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I welcome the change in tone and attitude the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, has shown since this day last week during Priority Questions. My Priority Question related to the upsurge in gun murders and the Minister told the House that no such upsurge had occurred. Does the Minister accept that his current policy has not worked and that the...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: We can give ourselves five more minutes.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, line 5, after "Oireachtas," to insert "and". The amendments simply cite the standalone values and duties of the commission in the appropriate section with the other duties of the commission in the principal Act.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, lines 7 to 10, to delete all words from and including ", and" in line 7 down to and including "Oireachtas" in line 10. The amendment has already been discussed.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following subsection: "(2) Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (2): "(2A) It shall also be a function of the Commission to provide translation services from one official language into the other in respect of Acts of the Oireachtas.".".

Written Answers — Drugs Seizures: Drugs Seizures (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to new Garda figures showing that the illegal drugs trade here has grown to record proportions in 2006 following an unexpected increase in the availability of heroin; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the trade in softer drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy are...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on a new study from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs that states that though there have been improvements in the drugs situation in Dublin, certain communities are still frightened and at risk of being overwhelmed by their drugs experience; if he will respond to their recommendation that a new set...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: I am also happy to contribute to the debate on this important Bill, which is a milestone, as it represents a stocktaking following the exploratory period of one of the most innovative initiatives of the Oireachtas in the management of its own affairs in the past three years. For many years, a number of us sought to establish independence for the Oireachtas from the heavy hand of the...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: It may apply all over the place. Deputy Cassidy's is one of the few safe seats in the House.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: None of us can guarantee our security regarding the forthcoming election. People may believe the commission has been overly generous to itself so I would like to make some points in that regard. The €393 million provided for is to allow this House do play its constitutional role as watchdog, holding the Government to account. In real terms that figure will represent 0.23% of overall...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: Cé a roghnaigh é?

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: That is the job of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Boyle might be drafting it himself.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: It is all ahead of the Deputy.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: That is right.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: And individual researchers.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: They are not being attacked.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: It would be a novelty if we were doing so on this matter.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Brendan Howlin: It is not normal practice for a Minister to undermine officials like that in this House.