Results 37,321-37,340 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Other Questions: Health Insurance Prices (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: My question relates to ongoing private health insurance premium increases which are leaving the public somewhat concerned about both the rates of increase and their number. Notwithstanding community rating, which we all support, is it the case that increases in excess of the amounts required are being imposed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for coming before us. I am sorry that I had to duck out for parliamentary questions during his speech but I read what I could of it in the meantime. I concur with my colleague in the pointers he raised on costs here. For instance, over the past number of years a great deal of criticism has been levelled at the German Chancellor as living in an unreal world and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Can I mention another point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I made reference to flooding as it is a serious regional issue, and also a national issue at present. I exhort everybody who has any influence on the European institutions to consider what is required. There is no sense in complaining about climate change. We can avert some of its effects by adopting a proper drainage policy all over the country. That must happen or we will cede large...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Thank you, Chairman. I cannot stay very long as, unfortunately, I have business in the House. I welcome the delegation and congratulate Ms O’Loughlin on her presentation. The submission is an extremely well-focused document which touches on all the points that have been of concern to many of us for a number of years, and it is no harm to discuss them now. The fact that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: What is meant by much smaller? Is it 70%, 50% or 40% or has it been quantified?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I would appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: An answer to one question is missing. Why must the poorer countries resort to such a level of lending? For instance, what other conventional routes were accessible or have been avoided? Why are they going in that direction? Have the countries in question a credit rating somewhat akin to that of Ireland a couple of years ago and is that the problem?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: It is not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I am making a general comment. It is correct that the witnesses did not mention it, but I point out that there is a point that comes up repeatedly that is associated with that conversation. Every time it is commented on internationally, it appears as though we in some way are major contributors to what is seen as being unfair. By way of comparison, what has been the private sector...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Is Ms O'Neill talking about existing companies operating in this country-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: -----from Europe, the United States or elsewhere?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank our guests for appearing before the committee and making its presentation, some of which I strongly agree with and some of which I disagree with. We have to remind ourselves of the position we were in, and still are in, with regard to debt. Effectively, we are beneficiaries of whatever criteria prevail worldwide. I recognise and fully accept the distinction drawn between public and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 130. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the waiting time for various surgical procedures has been addressed in each of the past five years to date with particular reference to the number of patients awaiting procedures under various headings throughout the public health sector; the extent to which the situation has been addressed or requires further attention; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 174. To ask the Minister for Finance if a refund of universal social charge is due in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 188. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief paid in respect of mortgage interest in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15330/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Grants (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if and when a higher education grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15094/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 271. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which it was decided that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is not habitually resident in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14941/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (1 Apr 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 295. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of a review of entitlement to carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15191/14]