Results 48,141-48,160 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 8: In page 15, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(b) Irish Water;”.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 9: In page 15, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(b) the Office of the President;”.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Why would it impact on the office?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 5: In page 13, line 38, after “body” where it secondly occurs to insert the following:“, and, notwithstanding any provision of this Act, shall not be construed as so as to impede, restrict or otherwise frustrate public access to the records held by the General Register Office in accordance with section 61 of the Civil Registration Act 2004”.As...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Business of Select Sub-Committee (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Much of the debate so far has been on the substance, which is whether or not these multifaceted matters are right. The issue for committee is a procedural issue. The issue is that we have experts who have appeared before this committee as part of the pre-legislative work who, whether correct or not, state that the amendments that have been brought in will kill all of the good trying to be...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Business of Select Sub-Committee (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I believe we should not do that. I would ask the Minister - because the whip is enforced if this kind of question goes to a vote and because, although it may not be done, he may be able to - to let the committee members decide for themselves what they want. On the basis that the experts we have had before this are using such strong language about the changes that are being made, it is...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Business of Select Sub-Committee (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I think everyone in the committee and the Minister and his officials would agree that this is really important legislation and that we need to reverse the changes made in 2003 and get back to the spirit of the original Labour Party Freedom of Information Act 1997. There is a procedural issue for the committee. The Minister has outlined briefly the reasons he believes the changes introduced...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Business of Select Sub-Committee (12 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: The changes to the new FOI Bill should be something very positive and there are some positive things in the Bill. However, the proposed amendments that were issued on Friday have been met with the reaction by experts in the field - sensible professionals such as the NUJ, lawyers and academics - that they potentially signal the death of freedom of information in Ireland. We do not know...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (6 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 108. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the local government reforms and the proposed increased fiscal responsibilities at a municipal council level, if he will provide a breakdown of local property tax revenues on a municipal council level for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47195/13]

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Taoiseach for taking the matter seriously. I urge him to examine the issue in the current budget. It is one of the issues that is going below the radar in this country, that year-on-year we are eroding the funding to third level institutions. The presidents of those universities are saying loudly, clearly and publicly that something must change. Dr. Hugh Brady has described it...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I said I would be talking to the Taoiseach later today and asked what message I should give. I was asked to say that this employer is continuing to hire some of our good graduates in spite of Government policy. The person said that investment is required and that we need more connection between small businesses and universities. The universities cannot continue to fuel the future economic...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Last week's web summit demonstrated the huge opportunities for Ireland in digital technology. It is very important for our economic recovery and future prosperity that we are a global leader in technology and, critically, are recognised as such internationally. Unfortunately, a very important piece of Government policy is putting this at risk - the continued reduction in funding to third...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: With respect, I have had two minutes as opposed to the 15 afforded to others.

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I beg your indulgence for 30 seconds.

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: We cannot aspire to being a global leader in technology while halving the level of funding per student. I hope the Taoiseach agrees. He got a ride in Elon Musk's car to the summit and I am sure he heard him say that for technology companies, there must be engineers. Does the Taoiseach agree with Mr. Musk that for Ireland to continue to build its reputation in this area, we must have...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Risk Assessment (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 108. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for ensuring that the new national risk assessment which is to be published annually will include risks faced by the country in the areas of unemployment, emigration, poverty, income inequality, early school leaving, health inequalities, gender inequality and personal over-indebtedness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46401/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 515. To ask the Minister for Social Protection regarding PRSI liabilities on unearned income, as introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013, if this measure will require those with unearned income to make a self-assessed return to Revenue; if liabilities will be charged on gross or net income, for example, in the case of an accidental landlord with a buy-to-let property, where...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Mortgage Repayments Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 482. To ask the Minister for Social Protection regarding the abolition of mortgage interest supplement, announced as part of budget 2014, if she will explain, and release to Dáil Éireann, the analysis that was undertaken to determine the impact of abolishing the measure on mortgage holders that is the number of mortgages forced into default, number of existing agreements between...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 523. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons aged 18 to 25 years who have applied for jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance and were unsuccessful and-or ineligible for a payment in the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46353/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Appointments (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 756. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will be nominating a new Irish member to the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; when he will have a replacement installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46159/13]