Results 36,581-36,600 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to exert pressure on the various parties in the Middle East peace process; if progress is anticipated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the peace process continues in Colombia, whether concerns expressed by the international community are being addressed in a meaningful way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to support calls for the release of Marwan Barghouti; the extent to which discussions in this regard continue to be part of the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in South Sudan continues to be monitored by the EU and UN, with particular reference to the need to alleviate famine and starvation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23496/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU and UN are engaged with the various authorities throughout Africa with a view to protection of entitlement to human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23498/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 45. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the situation in the western Balkans continues to be monitored by the international community with particular reference to the need to ensure the continuation and support of democracy and peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23499/14]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (28 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 71. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish interests are likely to be observed in the context of European-US trade discussions; if it is expected that the agrifood industry will not be detrimentally affected in the course of such talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23497/14]

Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I am delighted to welcome the Bill. The Minister and I have had a few exchanges of views in this regard over the past number of years. Many immigrants have come to the country, just as many Irish people have left and travelled abroad. We would all like to see that those who visit us, be it for work, immigration or to seek asylum, are treated in the way we would wish to be treated if we went...

Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Deputies Seán Kyne and Joe O'Reilly are sharing time.

Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: On promised legislation, to what extent is that old friend of mine, the bail Bill, progressing? Has it achieved any further progress and when is it likely to come before the House?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Can we learn anything from previous experiences in this area? In a similar agreement years ago, some of the benefits gained at European level for Irish producers were eroded in the subsequent World Trade Organization, WTO, talks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Trading one product or entity against another and conceding benefits in one area to facilitate the opposing negotiators and give them access to a certain product has undermined the benefits gained, particularly in the agriculture sector.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: One of the possible barriers to freeing up trade is what is referred to in some countries as red tape. I call it bureaucracy. For example, it has been a growth industry in this country, as well as in the EU and the US for some years. A one-page document some years ago has been fattened up to 25 pages as members all know from dealing with local authorities and government institutions. To...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his presentation to the committee. Why is the food industry excluded from this part of the discussions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The question continues as to why it had not been included in the first range of issues. We have a particular interest in the food industry because Ireland is a net food exporter. How can we be assured that further stages in the negotiations do not erode the position of food industry exports which are of significant importance to our economy? I refer to previous experiences in transatlantic...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Government Bonds (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 29. To ask the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the emerging economic improvements, it might be possible to establish a Government development bond to meet urgent requirements in terms of economic and social infrastructure, with particular reference to identifying a structure whereby adequate affordable or local authority housing might be provided, thereby ensuring an adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Government Bonds (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 181. To ask the Minister for Finance if, in view of the ongoing need to retain expenditure within the guidelines set down by the Troika, in view of the existence of serious infrastructural deficits in terms of housing and other critical infrastructure, it is possible to launch a Government bond competitively priced to attract savings from the private sector thereby generating employment,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Data (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 40. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the various economic indicators are positively positioned in the run-up to budget 2015; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to continue to meet the conditions laid down by the troika and at the same time address the specific issues likely to have a socioeconomic impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Data (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 156. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which an examination has been undertaken into the levels of property tax applicable throughout the eastern region with particular reference to identifying possible negative impact in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19551/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Settlements (27 May 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 161. To ask the Minister for Finance if meaningful discussions can be entered into between the Revenue Commissioners and a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of various taxation issues, most of which were not of their making, which have resulted in personal and financial difficulties of a very serious nature; if urgent arrangements will be made for discussions at senior...