Results 27,261-27,280 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (17 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 1510. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timetable for the provision of high-speed, high quality broadband in all areas throughout County Kildare; the areas already provided with such service; the timescale for each area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1658/17]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (17 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 1511. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timetable for the provision of high-speed, high quality broadband in all areas throughout the country; the areas already provided with such service; the timescale for each area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1659/17]

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. There is another issue that must be borne in mind, and I am sure some Members will empathise with this. Rural planning is almost a thing of the past. The possibility of getting planning permission in a rural area is almost-----

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I know, but I wish to give a quick example in passing. It relates to housing planning and housing need. Every house that is provided lends itself to the housing stock, whether it is a private house in a rural area, a private house in an urban setting or a local authority house. Each contributes to the housing stock in their own way. In those circumstances I ask the Minister to bear in...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Some of the planning decisions made under the old system did not live up to close scrutiny. I will not go into the detail.

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Do not thank God just yet, because I have not finished. It is very important to remember that we would not be happy with every decision that was made. We should always try to ensure the best planning process is followed and that the planning Acts and guidelines are used fairly and work for the benefit of the people within the law, nothing more and nothing less. I ask the Minister to keep...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: This provision proposes to deal with planning of an emergency nature where there is an infrastructural deficit or an urgent need to provide a particular service which otherwise would require emergency legislation. I am always in favour of retaining as much influence as possible at local level with local authorities to try to ensure local information is readily available and the decisions...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I will do my best to set some kind of a good example, however I will be tempted from time to time, as the Ceann Comhairle himself would be, to occasionally refer to previous contributions. I do not claim to be an expert on the issue, and I am trying to address the amendments in the grouping. I declare a lack of interest. I am not a landlord, in case anybody got the wrong impression, nor do...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Like other speakers I do not wish to delay the proceedings. I was here last night during the course of the debate. The only issue about which I have a concern, and I have already expressed this to the Minister, is I have an allergy in respect of equations. The Ceann Comhairle and I will remember that we had an equation to determine eligibility for local authority loans in the past with...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: -----in such a way as to make absolutely certain that no amount of interpretation from any quarter by any group, legal personality or non-legal personality could change what it was meant to do in the first place. I say this not as a criticism but because of sad experience in the past which I would not like to go through again.

Other Questions: Criminal Assets Bureau (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 18. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the full extent of the scale and value of assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau in the past five years; if all such properties have been disposed and the proceeds retained by the State; the status of any such properties not yet disposed of in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40419/16]

Other Questions: Criminal Assets Bureau (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the extent, scale and volume of assets confiscated by the Criminal Assets Bureau over recent years, the extent to which the assets have been successfully disposed of for the benefit of the State and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

Other Questions: Criminal Assets Bureau (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. Is there any continuing litigation concerning the assets involved? Has the State been successful in proving its case in these cases? Are cases still pending which might affect the extent to which the taxpayer might benefit from the seizures in the first instance?

Other Questions: Criminal Assets Bureau (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Has the litigation illustrated a further amendment to legislation to strengthen it? Have any cases been brought to court that may have a knock-on effect in the future that might be prejudicial to the bureau's retention?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 58. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the fight against organised crime continues to succeed with particular reference to the urgent need to detain and charge all of the serious criminal gang bosses thus putting an end to intimidation of witnesses and retaliatory acts often resulting in killing and thereby addressing an ever increasing threat to the security of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when family reunification will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40754/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of application for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40755/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 85. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if update of residency status will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40756/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will set aside a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied); if she will fully examine the manner in which the decision was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40759/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (16 Dec 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 87. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will upgrade status from stamp 2 to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); if the person's child's birth certificate will be returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40760/16]