Results 27,961-27,980 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (2 Dec 2008)

Richard Bruton: In broad terms, I welcome this Bill. I am sure we will have the opportunity on Committee Stage to debate many of the sections in detail and I look forward to that stage.

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the means test for a medical card which applies to persons aged 70 years and over will be administered in the case of a person in a nursing home, whose gross income may exceed the €700 per week threshold, but for whom the costs of the nursing home completely absorb this income; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: At a time when families face unprecedented pressure as a result of job losses, new taxes and fear of the credit crunch and its impact on the economy, the Dáil must have clarity from the Government in regard to ongoing affairs at FÁS, a major agency delivering services to people who are unemployed and others. Will the Minister for Finance clarify whether he has confidence in the board,...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: There is a requirement for the Government to relate to the House its judgment on the issues that have emerged thus far into the public domain. It is a long-standing convention in this House that Members may oppose the taking of a certain matter on grounds of the urgency of other issues. I am taking that opportunity, which was well flagged in the past.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: I believe he would. I am following a long tradition in this regard.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: I would have finished by now if the Ceann Comhairle had not made his intervention, which I accept.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: I accept that. However, I wish to ask the Minister for Finance, who is directly responsible, whether it is his view that a severance package to the chief executive officer of FÁS should be made conditional on his co-operating with the inquiry to which the Ceann Comhairle adverted. There is a general belief that this should be the case. Will the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: That is not what I asked. I asked the Minister was he going to get them to publish their recent practice.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: The Minister knows the question I asked.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Did the Minister ask them to publish the——

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: They are the desirable practices.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: I would like to raise two items on the Order of Business. There has been an announcement that a consortium of Irish investors is willing to become involved in recapitalising the Irish banks. Does the Minister plan to introduce legislation to allow the National Pensions Reserve Fund to invest matching funds? Or is it still his view that public investment would only be a last resort, and...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: It is a matter for the Order of Business as to whether there will be a change in the dysfunctional budget process that presents Estimates——

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: The heart of our business is the way in which budgets are presented. Of course it is in order.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason, in respect of the published Estimates for the Public Service 2009, the total estimated expenditure for 2009 under the administration sub-heads for his Department, that is, those relating to his Department itself, is estimated to decrease by 1% from 2008, while the estimated decrease under the sub-heads relating to the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 135: To ask the Taoiseach the number of crimes involving the possession of a knife, the use of a knife to inflict injury, and the use of a knife to inflict fatal wounds respectively over the past five years; the detection rate in respect of each of these crimes; and the conviction rate in respect of each of these crimes. [43006/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 148: To ask the Minister for Finance if it is intended to extend the offer recently made to the trustees of the pension funds of certain semi-State bodies to other bodies such as a company (details supplied); and the thinking that underpins his policy with respect to the pension liabilities of State bodies. [43004/08]

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (26 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person who was unaware of an entitlement under mobility allowance can apply for its application retrospectively; and the circumstances in which such a retrospective claim can be made. [43020/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 177: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding deficit in the Aer Rianta pension fund; if he has discussed this with the company; and if it is his intention to promote measures that would strengthen the fund so it could meet its long-term liabilities. [43005/08]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Nov 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance if tax relief can be claimed on fees charged at third level which are due to having to repeat the year at college. [42185/08]