Results 28,661-28,680 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Jun 2008)

Richard Bruton: I am somewhat disappointed that the Minister has not found that he has some ideas that he would like to implement on taking up office. I had understood he had been considerably interested in the post for some time. Will he, for example, consider a directive to provide that all appointments to State boards by the Minister would be presented to an Oireachtas committee so that it could have...

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Jun 2008)

Richard Bruton: May I ask a brief supplementary question?

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Jun 2008)

Richard Bruton: The Acting Chair did not limit the Minister, who went well over time.

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Jun 2008)

Richard Bruton: The Minister could put Sir Humphrey of "Yes, Minister" to shame in his capacity to defend the status quo in long, rambling replies without seeking to reform anything that might make his Department more transparent or accountable to this House.

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Jun 2008)

Richard Bruton: If the Minister had not used all the time we might have had a reasonable debate.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 23: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress he has made in rolling out electricity smart meters; when the pilot project will be finished; the provisional findings from this project which have been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21427/08]

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: I welcome the Minister for Health and Children to the Dáil and hope she will take time today to provide us with clarity on the precise Government intentions on the national development plan, in particular its educational element with regard to bringing ICT into schools. The Minister stated it was an aspiration, the Taoiseach stated it was under review and, today, the Minister for Finance...

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Will the Minister for Health and Children make time available in the Dáil to make a statement on it? I have heard the Ceann Comhairle allow this previously from many a spokesperson other than myself.

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: I know that — I would never accuse the Ceann Comhairle of bias. On the Government's legislative programme with regard to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Charles Flanagan informs me the programme has 49 elements so the Department cannot be accused of lack of activity. Will the Minister for Health and Children indicate where the priorities lie in the wake of...

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: While I am on my feet, I have a final question. This week, we had meetings with consumer agencies and various representatives. Will the Government publish a list of prices in stores in the UK and in Ireland——

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: ——so that prior to this weekend shoppers can see a proper comparison of prices and make the decisions the Minister is always telling them to make.

Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: We appear to be losing ground.

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (27 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the planned commencement date on construction of the new children's hospital to replace Temple Street Hospital; the level of provision in key specialising which will be provided on the site; and the plans to undertake a transition for various component services to the new facilities. [20641/08]

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 296: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on granting work permits to the worker rather than the employer in the case of spouses of health workers in view of the fact that the procedure of having to apply for permits hampers the search for work and creates an obstacle which deters employers. [20609/08]

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 482: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the recent grant announced for a pilot scheme of home insulation indicating the persons who can qualify; and the eligibility criteria for all other grants operated for householders by his Department. [20608/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (22 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of doubling the threshold for the means test for carer's allowance, of eliminating the means test for carer's allowance and of extending the period of carer's benefit from two years to four years; if she has carried out an assessment of the case for making changes such as these; and if she will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (21 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if some member states of the EU have chosen to reduce the services which they may provide to persons who hold an EU medical services card, formerly the E111; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some countries are reducing such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20011/08]

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (21 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: The tone of my remarks will be slightly different from that of the last speaker. I think Dublin's transport policy has suffered badly in the past 15 years. John Wilson's decision to abolish the Dublin transport authority was terrible. We are now re-establishing the authority after many years and many lost opportunities. Dublin's transport strategy has not had coherent leadership during...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (21 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: Time flies when one is enjoying oneself.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (21 May 2008)

Richard Bruton: I do not oppose the establishment of the Dublin transport authority as it will be important. However, we must change many of the underlying failures that prevented an effective transport strategy during the past decade. It is not that Ministers did not want such a strategy, rather they could not make it occur because many of the strong agencies in question obstructed policy. If we are to...