Results 33,301-33,320 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

The Dairy Sector: Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I do not know how this country survived given the amount of negative input from some quarters. Every single issue was negative. For those who suggested that they put the country on the right road before they left office, I have bad news. They did not. They made three attempts to do so and three times they failed. Three times they fell back again having been re-elected in 2007. Three...

The Dairy Sector: Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: This is on the dairy sector. It is permissible, as Deputy Troy, as an incumbent of the Chair, knows, to make passing references to the whole economic situation.

The Dairy Sector: Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I stand by the Acting Chairman's superior knowledge in these areas and I will not go into it too much further, but it is not permissible for the Acting Chairman to keep interrupting a Member either. When the time comes to recognise the benefit of the opportunities that have opened up in the dairy sector, which have been provided by the current Government, I hope that all of the people who...

Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: No. The family law Bill has been promised to update and improve family law legislation and provide for greater clarity in this area. What stage has the preparation of the Bill reached? Have the heads been approved by the Cabinet? When is the Bill likely to be brought before the House? Similarly, the purpose of the insurance Bill is to provide an alternative statutory regime for those...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Remember that.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: There were not too many funds to divvy up when Fianna Fáil left office.

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 10. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to recognise and reward the huge sacrifices made by the public and private sectors over the past seven years in the context of economic recovery with particular reference to the changing economic situation, notwithstanding the need to maintain prudent economic and fiscal policies; if...

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: This question relates to the opportunities that may arise for the Minister, in the context of the framing of expenditure and reform over the next four or five years, in trying to identify means whereby the public can be rewarded for its support in the economic exercise over the past four years, as well as in recognition of the leadership of the Minister and his Government colleagues during...

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is a highly impressive performance within a short space of time. I will ask a question that is on everybody's lips, namely, the extent to which the Minister thinks the Government may be able to reward the public in the context of the coming year, while at the same time maintaining frugal fiscal policies.

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Prudent policies.

Other Questions: Government Bonds (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his positive reply. Is consideration being given to utilisation of the approximately €90 billion in personal savings on which DIRT tax is chargeable, which tax yields no great return for the State, to fund the critical infrastructure projects referred to by the Minister? If not, will he consider that prospect, particularly in the context of the current...

Other Questions: Government Bonds (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: Is the Minister prepared to examine every possible aspect of funding to ensure the maximum amount of funding will be made available in this area in the shortest possible time, given the urgency of the issue? Will he also ensure equal treatment for the need to address other infrastructural deficits in various areas throughout the country to better facilitate economic recovery?

Other Questions: Government Bonds (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 8. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given to the raising of a Government bond to fund the provision of critical infrastructure as a means of providing funding for vital areas, in which investment might otherwise be postponed because of the requirement to keep such expenditure off the Government’s balance sheet, in view of the fact that it...

Other Questions: Government Bonds (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: This question raises the prospect of the use of a Government bond to fund the cost of particular elements of critical infrastructure without affecting the Government's balance sheet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ebola Crisis in Sierra Leone: Irish Ambassador (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: My apologies for being absent at the beginning of the session, I had to be at the House to deal with Questions. I want to welcome Ambassador Walsh here and to congratulate and thank her for her dedication to her duties in very difficult circumstances. That goes to her entire team for the work and time given over the past years. Dealing with an outbreak of Ebola in ordinary circumstances is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Maternity Benefit Applications (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 30. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal for maternity benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if an oral hearing will be facilitated at the earliest possible opportunity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12346/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he might be in a position to prioritise and encourage the provision of vital infrastructure, particularly where such provision is vital to economic recovery nationally and regionally; the extent to which public private partnerships or specific Government development bonds, as a means of addressing such issues...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department can encourage reform or policy initiatives with a view to maximising the potential for economic recovery and development in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12330/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to indicate the degree to which he expects public expenditure constraints and reform policies, effective in the context of economic recovery, to be used as a basis for prudent economic development in the future; his plans to implement innovation, in this regard in the future, to maximise economic benefit; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (25 Mar 2015)

Bernard Durkan: 67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the most effective policies pursued by his Department over the past four years in addressing the economic needs of the country, with a view to identifying the most likely and effective strategy to be followed in terms of public expenditure and reform, and the future economic needs of the country; and if he will make a statement on the...