Results 29,361-29,380 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Employment Legislation. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Since the Minister of State and the senior Minister are both new to the Department, I ask them to look again at this issue. A sectoral approach is a way of long fingering real change. There is no obstacle to having one overarching piece of legislation that automatically protects all employees at the same time, rather than waiting for an appropriate piece of legislation which in some areas...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Is the Minister of State not taking all the related questions together?

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. While a great deal of work has clearly gone into expanding the role of research and development in Ireland, perhaps I might ask a few specific questions. Notwithstanding all we have done in terms of Science Foundation Ireland and the chief science adviser to the Government, when will Ireland meet the action plan target to spend 2.5%...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Has it been good, bad or indifferent?

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: We all acknowledge that, on the basis of his previous job, the Minister is extremely good at commissioning reports, but we would like to see results. There is nothing other than the 2010 target date to achieve the level of research and development that those who are charged with formulating the new strategy for Europe regard as critical now. Does the Minister of State regard this deficiency...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: We have listened to the laudable list of objectives set out in the Lisbon Agenda. Does the Minister of State accept that the outgoing European Commission President, Mr. Romano Prodi, has labelled the process a big failure? Does he also accept that the expert group, chaired by the former Dutch Prime Minister, Mr. Wim Kok, published its report in the past few days indicating there is a lack of...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport when the full penalty points system will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26962/04]

Written Answers — Speed Limits: Speed Limits (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 151: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the changeover of all speed limits from miles to the metric system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26961/04]

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 232: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing bed crisis at Wexford General Hospital; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are up to 25 persons on trolleys in the accident and emergency area of Wexford General Hospital; when the additional 19 inpatient beds will be provided; if she will provide...

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: What does that mean?

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Last week I raised on the Order of Business a matter arising from the enactment of the Nice treaty, namely, our correct decision not to have a restriction on citizens of the new member states coming to work in this country. When I raised it, the Minister for Finance indicated that the issue of the undermining of wage rates and so on would be best addressed by referring this matter to the...

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Perhaps the Taoiseach will respond.

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I am pleased to have an opportunity to make a contribution on the Bill, which is not an earth shattering one in terms of its scope. Other legislation in the area of immigration and citizenship matters will undoubtedly come downstream. In essence, the Bill is the legislative response to the referendum and I wish to make a few general points in regard to that because the previous speaker,...

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: That is very interesting in our law. I am sure the Minister will make all these points in his Second Stage conclusion.

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: That is something that also causes me some concern about the way we deal with citizenship rights. The Minister will have ample opportunity in his Second Stage retort. The Minister is clearly not in listening mode. He is much more content——

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: He is much more content to seek conflict with this side of the House than engage with real issues and real families and real people which is the kernel of what I am trying to put to him this evening. I am sure the Minister will put on his best lawyer's hat and he——

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Brendan Howlin: There are those who are entitled to Irish citizenship under existing law by virtue of having an Irish grandparent. It is interesting that when it comes to affinity or connection to the State, people can live here for many years and not be deemed to have such an affinity or tie. Yet someone from South Africa or New Zealand who happens to have an Irish grandparent and who may never have set...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (19 Oct 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 230: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to recent comments, that the 0.7% target of GNP for ODA will not be reached as planned by 2007 despite the commitments to achieving this target in speeches made to various international gatherings since the UN Millennium Summit, New York, 2004; the reasons for this U-turn; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (19 Oct 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 211: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the EU decision to lift the arms embargo against China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25301/04]

Written Answers — Children's Passports: Children's Passports (19 Oct 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 347: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received reports of cases in which, following separation, one parent may withhold a child's passport thus preventing the other parent from taking the child on holiday abroad with regard to the fact that children can no longer be included on a parent's passport; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it may not be...