Results 28,921-28,940 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Thank you, Deputy.

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this hugely important issue. It is amazing to see how things have unfolded in recent days. We have gone from a position whereby everyone in our neighbouring island was being advised there was nothing to fear, that everything would be okay for two years at least and there would be no consequences in the immediate aftermath. Of course, that...

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: In actual fact it was not the Blueshirts. We will not go down that road. If the Deputies want a history lesson in that area, I can give them that too.

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I was not around at that time. The salutary lesson to be learnt from there is horrific. By proceeding in that direction, two groups that had nothing in common with each other, other than to take over and seek to gain advantage from the situation that prevailed at a time of economic distress, moved forward in common cause. I hope we learn the lesson from this shock, as it is likely to...

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: The next slot was to go to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, but he is not present. The Social Democrats-Green Party grouping were to follow but no one from that grouping is present. The next slot, therefore, goes to the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, who has five minutes.

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 6. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he is exploring options to fund strategic infrastructural capital projects to meet housing, transport and energy requirements off balance sheet in a way sufficient to meet infrastructural deficits and comply with prudent banking regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/16]

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: This question relates to the obvious requirements in terms of infrastructural development, the capital costs of which, if on balance sheet, might cause problems. I raise the issue to highlight the necessity for vital infrastructural development and investment by whatever possible means.

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his reply. I would further encourage, perhaps, the possibility of identifying the most serious infrastructural deficits, such as those in the areas of housing, energy, transport and health, with the view to putting together a package that is acceptable to the European institutions and which is capable of doing the job required to be done through the various...

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Minister's willingness to proceed along that road and I know that some provision has been made in the programme for Government in that regard. Would it be possible to establish a criterion whereby a particular deficit in infrastructure would automatically trigger the necessary or desirable capital expenditure? As the Minister just stated, this has both an economic and a social...

Summer Economic Statement 2016: Statements (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister has two minutes plus.

Summer Economic Statement 2016: Statements (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I call the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who, I understand, intends to share time with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: The Companies (Accounting) Bill is promised legislation.Its purpose is to transpose the EU Accounting Directive 2013/34/EU. When is this likely to be brought before the House?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I am standing in for my colleague, Deputy Seán Barrett, who cannot be here this morning. I congratulate the Minister and the Minister of State on their appointment and wish them well in the coming years. I also congratulate the Chairman. The issue in the back of everybody's minds is the UK referendum. I congratulate the various Ministers, Departments and opposition spokespersons who...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I will forgo my contribution, Chairman, in order not to go over the same ground again. I generally share the remarks made already, but there is also a very urgent need for the United Nations to review its role and its influence globally. There is a gradual sidelining, for whatever reason, of the UN in the area of international conflicts, with obvious consequences. It is not to the benefit...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: Where do the freedom of information requests to the Department normally come from? Do they come from the general public, concerned citizens, from the media or politicians? I believe that the parliamentary question is the ultimate way to obtain information from any Department. What kind of information would not be available through that medium?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment and wish him well in his future role in the Department. It is an interesting Department and many challenges will emerge on a daily and weekly basis, including emergencies. I agree with the remarks made by previous speakers on the need to ensure aid reaches the people for whom it is intended. We must ensure that nobody along the way...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 29. To ask the Minister for Finance to indicate, having regard to the many sacrifices and considerable progress made in the aftermath of the banking collapse, if the lending institutions might now be encouraged to accommodate borrowers who have made reasonable efforts to meet their mortgage or borrowing repayments in respect of loans, particularly those loans which were by today's standards...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 80. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status or eligibility to achieve long-term residency and naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17874/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 81. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will re-examine the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17875/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2016)

Bernard Durkan: 82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the determination of residency entitlement and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17876/16]