Results 34,681-34,700 of 34,833 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy O'Connor from Tallaght for his introduction. I wish to make a number of observations on the motion tabled by Fine Gael and the Labour Party and the amendment tabled by the Government. The motion shows a clear focus of difference between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in Government versus the proposals of Fine Gael and the Labour Party, which will attempt to be in...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: I see the hand of the Fine Gael Party in it, especially with regard to the reference to overspending on public projects such as the port tunnel. The logic of that is that the Fine Gael Party would oppose the completion of the port tunnel because it costs a lot. The logic of the motion put forward by the Opposition is that it would oppose the widening of the Naas dual carriageway because of...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: The motion condemns the fact that a Minister can intervene to fast-track projects. Where is this heading? The problem with every major capital project is that it takes so long to complete, yet here we have Fine Gael and the Labour Party criticising the concept of a Minister intervening to fast-track a project. In an underhand way they say the process should be more open, but they are...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: I will clarify that. I take the Deputy's point, but if he had listened closely, I referred to the report produced by Deputy Rabbitte which specifically stated that the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service spent more time dealing with the finance Estimates than any other committee in respect of departmental Estimates. I am talking about the other committees across the...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: I am about to conclude. He is an independent officer and, like everybody in this land, he is not infallible.

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (4 Oct 2006)

Seán Fleming: Like everybody else, he is not infallible, and he accepts that. However, some people in this House quote his document as if he is infallible, without entering into rational debate and teasing out the details. I look forward to such a debate taking place at the Committee of Public Accounts meetings on Thursday mornings from now until the next general election.

Nursing Homes: Motion (Resumed). (28 Sep 2006)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I compliment the Minister, Deputy Harney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, on the improvements in the funding of services for elderly people. I have three points to make and I ask the Minister of State to take note of them. I have heard there are difficulties in Laois and Offaly relating to travel expenses for those who...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 475: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if top up grants for third level education will be available to all students in County Laois under funding provided from his Department under the LDSIP programme or other programmes for the 2006 and 2007 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27344/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (6 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 736: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding information provided under Parliamentary Question No. 582 of 4 April 2006, regarding the number of housing estates which are expected to be taken in charge by local authorities in 2006 and so on; the most recent information on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 336: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent of broadband coverage in County Laois; the towns and villages where this is available and planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25666/06]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 658: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs teachers and special needs assistants in schools in County Laois for the years from 1997 to date in 2006. [25667/06]

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 659: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of participation on a county basis in third level education both on a numbers and a percentage basis for the years 2006, 2000 and 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25668/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 823: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will announce the amounts available for central heating grants in 2006; and when he will notify the local authorities of their allocations. [25671/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 824: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that people who buy houses under the affordable housing scheme, sometimes under Part 5 of the Planning Acts, have the option to fix their interest rate during the course of their mortgage when they start with a variable interest rate; his further views on whether it is fair that people...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Jul 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 825: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views in relation to whether or not people who purchase houses under the shared ownership scheme should have the option to purchase same under a variable interest rate or a fixed interest rate; and if he will take action to deal with this matter. [25673/06]

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006. Earlier this month the Tánaiste announced the publication of this Bill to establish a statutory scheme to address the insurance difficulties experienced by persons infected with hepatitis C and HIV through the administration within the State of blood and blood products. This important measure...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity of speaking on the Road Traffic Bill 2006 and propose to highlight some of its key features. The Bill facilitates the introduction of mandatory roadside breath tests for drivers for alcohol in a targeted manner and provides for the introduction on a statutory basis of control of the use of mobile telephones and in-vehicle communication equipment by occupants of motor...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005. I understand that this Bill has already been discussed in the Seanad and is now coming before this House for discussion on Second Stage. There already have been some improvements and refinements to the Bill following discussion in the Seanad, and I am sure there will be more before this Bill is enacted....

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Fleming: Exactly. Once he got over the boundary he was safe as there was no FBI to get him. It was great entertainment but a ridiculous way to catch criminals. In effect, that is what we have here. Once a criminal goes from one jurisdiction to another, he or she is free unless international agreements pin him or her down and make him or her face the penalties for his or her crime. We are only...

Written Answers — Hepatitis B Incidence: Hepatitis B Incidence (25 May 2006)

Seán Fleming: Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adults here with hepatitis B, which is a notifiable disease; and the best practice on the way in which to prevent infection of people who are in constant contact with people with Hepatitis B. [20081/06]