Results 2,701-2,720 of 5,034 for speaker:Billy Timmins

Written Answers — Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife Conservation (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Question 191: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of deer that have been culled from 1 October 2007 to 1 October 2008 in County Wicklow and the remainder of this State; the way this is organised; the action taken in relation to the deer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34437/08]

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the recently signed agreement with respect to visas between Ireland and the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/08]

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: This side of the House welcomes arrangements with any country for the exchange of citizens. Can the Minister confirm whether applicants need a post-secondary qualification? I may have misinterpreted his comments, so I would appreciate clarification. When does he anticipate the exchanges to commence and how can one apply for a visa? Will advertisements be placed in newspapers? Will the...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: It is important that the Minister ensures the details of this scheme are published as soon as possible. I am concerned the programme may be somewhat exclusive in that someone who wants to take a year out after completing his or her leaving certificate will not be able to apply for a visa.

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: That is regrettable because students often prefer to take a year out after secondary school to travel abroad. If US exchange students cannot find employment, will they be entitled to benefits in this State? If they have prearranged employment but this ceases during the 12 month period, what will happen? Has any progress been made in regard to the undocumented Irish? Do we know the number...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: I am responding to the issues raised by the Minister. I am anxious to remain in order but I wish to facilitate the Minister.

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Is there hope for these people?

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of public servants in his Department as of 1 January 2000; the number as of 1 October 2008; the reason for the increase or decrease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34359/08]

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Can the Minister give the number for the staff increase in Irish Aid for the period? He gave the monetary increase but not the staff increase.

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: I am asking about the number of personnel in Irish Aid.

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Even if the Minister cannot give the figure for the increased staff, irrespective of how the budget increases, it should not lead to a substantial increase in personnel. How many people are working for Irish Aid in Limerick? How does this compare to the figures before it was decentralised? I have also looked at the numbers of staff working in the Minister's office. I know it is populist...

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: In order to ask the question I need to give the Minister the figures in case he does not have them. What do the people in his office do? How many of them are involved in working on constituency matters as opposed to departmental matters? While I do not expect him to answer for the two Ministers of State, I am sure it is similar for them.

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: The figure is 15.

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Is there liaison between the Minister and Deputy Higgins?

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: I appreciate that the public service can be an easy target. I am simply affording the Minister an opportunity to explain to the public. I have a response to a parliamentary question, which refers to 16 people in the Minister's own office. I do not doubt the work they do. I take exception to the Minister's reference to the new right wing orthodoxy in Fine Gael. We continually get...

Departmental Staff. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Obviously the US-India civil nuclear co-operation deal is contentious.

Overseas Development Aid. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to make further cuts in the overseas aid budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34225/08]

Overseas Development Aid. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: I am delighted to hear the Minister of State say we shall be on target for the 0.7% of GNP in 2012, if I heard him correctly. Does he have any projected figures as to what the funding might be for 2009 and 2010? I have seen figures in the past for those years based on certain growth rates. I acknowledge that the economy has contracted and the figure will decrease. However, he might be...

Overseas Development Aid. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: One of the recommendations of the audit report of the Committee of Public Accounts was that NGOs and missionaries needed to be given a formal role in the deployment of aid. That would be a very good development. Will the Minister of State say whether there have been proposals to do that? Also, will he look at the concept of setting up an umbrella group whereby there may be some mechanism...

Overseas Development Aid. (9 Oct 2008)

Billy Timmins: I understood their former role involved the programme countries.