Results 481-500 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Passport Applications. (30 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: I am pleased Deputy Flanagan raised this issue. However, I am not very pleased at the manner in which he characterises Irish passports because it does damage to all of us. The fact that he has raised the issue gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin, to provide the House with a full briefing and to demonstrate that nothing untoward happened in this case...

Passport Applications. (30 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: Section 10 of the Passports Act provides, inter alia, that a passport "shall be in the name of the applicant as it appears on his or her certificate of birth (whether in the English language or the Irish language)". There are some exceptions to the general rule, as the Deputy has pointed out. Under section 10(2) a passport may be issued in a new name following a marriage. That did not...

Passport Applications. (30 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: That is quite correct. There is nothing wrong with Deputy Flanagan's mathematics. Second, he presented six receipts for dental surgery, two of which dated from as far back as 2005. Third, he presented a letter dated 2009 from a firm of accountants and tax consultants which said he was known to them and that they had handled his business for the previous five years. He submitted a...

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: When this debate concluded last night, I was responding to the fine contribution that had been made by Deputy O'Dowd. I emphasised my agreement with many of the points he had made. Today, I am happy to restate my full backing for this Bill. In essence, we all agree with it. The main purpose of the Bill is to regulate the law and the present practices of the Garda Síochána, the Defence...

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: He is, and there are many very good judges on the Bench. I say that because in this House we are, from time to time, critical of judges. There is a need for that type of proactive approach to assist people who are getting through addiction. I was pleased Deputy O'Dowd mentioned a number of drug rehabilitation centres. Very few of us, thank God, have had the experience of trying to deal...

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: Were any of these young people members of Young Fine Gael?

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: May I refer to some of the points made by Deputy O'Dowd? I am impressed by the philosophical approach he adopted, which is the right approach.

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: I am merely taking a Government speaking slot. I will let Deputy Costello in by 7 o'clock, if he reminds me.

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: My generosity overflows. We need to be very careful when we move in this direction. As Deputy O'Dowd has said, there are truly evil people who know no bounds and who are determined not only to dominate their own society but also to poison it. Deputy O'Dowd mentioned the extraordinary work going on in Moyross. When Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government I was very...

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: We must be in a position to clamp down on those people. There is no question of striking a balance between their civil liberties and the rights of the rest of society. I have listened carefully to the contributions of the Opposition and I am sure the Minister will do so too. When we enact this legislation we will be making a strike for civil liberties. A crucial element in the strategy...

Leaders' Questions (22 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is encouraged by that kind of action.

Freedom of Information. (22 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: The freedom of information legislation introduced by Deputy Bruton when he was in power was the most restrictive legislation ever placed on the Statute Book.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: As are many countries in the world.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: It is much less than the amount that would have to be cut to meet the cost of Fine Gael's plans.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: So are we.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: That was a fact.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: We have the second highest minimum wage in Europe.

European Council: Statements (1 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: I would like to deal with a number of the points raised by Deputy Creighton, all of which are germane. Our position on justice and home affairs measures was not discussed during the course of the European Council and is not covered in the conclusions. I should make the point that we had a lively debate on that particular issue last year, and there is a three year review built into it. I will...

European Council: Statements (1 Apr 2009)

Dick Roche: As Deputies know, I spent a lot of time lecturing on public administration and it is interesting to read the debates on the creation of ICC and ACC to see how relevant those debates are to the current situation. Deputy Costello is right, the banking system has gone through an extraordinarily fiery period. The banks drew this on their own heads, greed rather than prudence drove many banking...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Dick Roche: That is worth a high preference vote for the Deputy.