Results 35,041-35,060 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: However, they have no vote. In any case, there is no room for them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The Chairman knows as well as I do that where there is an influx of non-members at a committee meeting, the red carpet is not usually laid out for the extra attendees. This is simply because such large attendances can lead to very lengthy meetings. It can become almost like a Second Stage debate in the House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Such as?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I completely agree with Mr. Ewing's right to hold his views but disagree profoundly with some of them, naturally. The problem with alliances, as we know, is that they cover an amorphous mass of views and seem to contain within them the view that suits everybody's particular menu. Of course, the view that suits everyone's menu suits none. There are two or three points I wish to make. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: No means have yet been found for disposing of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: In Cavan, they are doing it all right, but the rest of the country has not come to it yet. Much emphasis is placed on biomass and various other forms of energy generation. This is true but they are carbon neutral. They exude the carbon they have absorbed in the first place; that is all. There is an equal balance. I spent a good number of years on a committee that dealt with this subject...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Or charging the jury.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Report on Response to 2014 Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland: Better Europe Alliance (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentation. It represents that part of society which makes a major contribution to the well-being of society in general. It identifies deficiencies - as they have done and have correctly pointed out - and plans for the future by highlighting and flagging the issues that will turn up in the future. In particular, I wish to refer to what is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy is a very busy man. I thank the ambassador very much for her presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: It certainly was extremely interesting and gave us an opportunity to consider the progress that has been made in her country. The ambassador outlined the actions Nigeria has taken in its very successful efforts to contain the Ebola virus.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Nigeria is to be particularly congratulated in this regard because what it has done illustrates that this disease can be contained and panic can be eliminated if the proper action is taken.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The ambassador brought many useful points to our attention in the context of trade, including that in respect of direct flights. Will we refer that matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. On power generation and transmission, the only word of warning I would utter is that it would be a good idea not to allow these to fall into the hands of the same people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: This country has previous experience in that regard. If different entities are involved, then it can work very well. If the same people gain control of generation and transmission systems, however, it can give rise to problems. The ambassador made a number of interesting comments in respect of Boko Haram. I am of the view that Nigeria will eventually come to grips with this problem,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the ambassador for a very interesting presentation. We now move to questions. The normal procedure is that we bank the questions for the ambassador to answer together. I remind members that we have time constraints because the room is required for another committee meeting immediately after ours. I call Deputy Smith, to be followed by Deputy Eric Byrne, Senator Norris and Senator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen, from Deputies Seán Crowe, Olivia Mitchell and Ruairí Quinn, and from Senator Jim Walsh. The draft minutes of the meeting of 22 October have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Nigeria: Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The purpose of this meeting is to have a discussion with Her Excellency, Dr. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu, the new ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Ireland. Before we begin, I ask members, witnesses and persons in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 112. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to make efforts to address the serious issue of homelessness arising from the inability of families to access affordable rental accommodation which is further exacerbated by the continuous rise in rents in County Kildare and the greater Dublin area in particular whereby the cap on rent support is now a serious...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Poverty (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 121. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department proposes to continue to address the issue of child poverty, as outlined in the recently published UNICEF report, with particular reference to identifying and addressing the situation as it relates to the most vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41678/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 142. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a jobseeker's allowance payment has been reduced to €100 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41036/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 147. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40908/14]