Results 33,201-33,220 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Message from Seanad (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Seanad Éireann has passed the Thirty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015, without amendment.

Residential Mortgage Interest Rates: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Irish - Ireland’s Diaspora Policy: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on this work so far in engaging with the diaspora. This is a hugely important issue because of our history of emigration. I agree with Deputy Smith regarding broadcasting and communicating with the diaspora that there is a social obligation on our national broadcaster to do everything in its power to ensure the link is maintained through...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "Trade" and substitute the following:"acknowledges the efforts by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to the Ibrahim Halawa case and urges the Minister to continue his efforts at all appropriate levels to ensure the speedy release of Mr. Halawa." In moving the amendment, I do so not to be divisive but to simply follow a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the support of the Taoiseach and officials in the embassy, is best placed to assess the situation and decide on the best approach in these circumstances. I have every confidence in the ability of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to have the maximum positive impact on the case of Ibrahim Halawa. As a person who spent a bit of time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I do not wish to divide the House on the issue because it is sensitive. We do not know the conclusion the court will reach. We believe the court will make a decision shortly. That is the information that has been made available. In those circumstances, we are better off waiting to see what will happen next. There may be a need for an intervention, which would be unprecedented, but we do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: There is another issue which needs to be borne in mind. This is not identical to the cases of the previous prisoners who were released. This case is different. Amnesty International said that Ibrahim Halawa has no case to answer. In the event that is true, and I accept what Amnesty International says, the procedure being followed so far is the correct one. In the event of there being a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Growth Rate (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 13. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the economic fundamentals remain positive and on target; if he expects economic growth to continue; the anticipated economic benefit that is likely to accrue therefrom in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13069/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 22. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has evaluated any possible impact of a European Union consolidated tax base, with particular reference to the need to ensure that Ireland’s geographic peripheral position off the European mainland is recognised in any such discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: House Prices (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 53. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which provision will be made to ensure that first time house buyers, or those currently without a family home, are not priced out of the market by investors; the extent to which provisions already in place to assist first time buyers continue to remain effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13589/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Competitiveness (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 54. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this economy remains competitive in the context of all others throughout the European Union, both within and outside the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13590/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Growth (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 55. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which current economic indicators remain in line with best practice; the extent to which this is likely to generate positive economic activity over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13591/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Home Repossession (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 56. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps required to prevent large scale repossessions of family homes where the borrowers are willing to make or continue to make payments within their means and circumstances; if particular attention has been drawn to unregulated third parties who have acquired the loan books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13592/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 57. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that discussions in respect of a common consolidated corporate tax base at European level will not damage this country’s position as a location for foreign direct investment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13594/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Growth (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 58. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this country’s economic performance remains in line with best practice and expectations throughout the eurozone and the wider European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13595/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Membership (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 59. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the ongoing situation which may lead the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; if he expects the need to take particular steps to protect the financial services sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13596/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Arrears Rate (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 60. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the situation in regard to mortgage arrears, with particular reference to family homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13597/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Policy (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 61. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which any sector of the economy tends to overheat, having regard to previous experience; if corrective action is required on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13598/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Charges (1 Apr 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 62. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the levels of bank charges being imposed by various banks; the basis for such charges, nationally and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13599/15]