Results 4,981-5,000 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I will read into the record what occurred. The sub-committee went through everything. Without being smart, this is the reason I want a series of bilateral meetings. I am restricted to what I am reading in the minutes. The sub-committee addressed a range of issues. It has resumed its consideration of proposals and agreed the routine of business for each day. According to the minutes, the...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: Only one or maybe two. Since I did not attend those meetings, I want bilateral meetings. I am reading the conclusions rather than the content of the meetings.

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I thank the Deputy.

Written Answers — Household Medical Expenditure: Household Medical Expenditure (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 138, inclusive, together. The table shows the average annual household expenditure in April 2010 for each category of medical (including dentists and opticians) expenditure listed. The data are derived from the latest available Household Budget Survey (2004/2005). The expenditure in each category has been adjusted for inflation using the change in a...

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Resolution of the Dáil of 14 June 2007, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Social Protection, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister for...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: First, I wish to make a distinction on the type of questions asked by Deputy Ó Caoláin, in that they primarily pertain to electoral reform rather than reform of Dáil procedures per se, which primarily is what is being addressed here, that is, how Members do their business. As for the broader issue of electoral reform, both the programme for Government and the revised programme for...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I will be brief in an effort to accommodate everyone. I reiterate that the point the Deputy has again raised with regard to by-elections, timings and so forth is very much an issue for the independent electoral commission that is to be established. It will be very much within its remit to make such recommendations. I reiterate that, in respect of cross-Border representation, I will revert...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: Deputy Flanagan, I hope the Order of Business today goes somewhat better and that at 5.30 p.m. we will have progressed beyond it. On a serious note, Deputy O'Dowd asked about reform of the committees and compellability of witnesses. I understand that constitutional issues arise in this regard which need to be developed and teased out. We did not really discuss this matter here and at times...

Oireachtas Reform (18 May 2010)

John Curran: I had considerable experience during the development of the national drugs strategy, when I appeared before the relevant committee and answered specific questions on an ongoing basis. The committee system is far superior to the thrust of what goes on here with regard to the detail that might be required. We did not discuss the committee system when we spoke about reform but we should not...

Written Answers — National Statistics: National Statistics (12 May 2010)

John Curran: The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates relating to the labour force. The CSO advises that the most detailed age groups for which estimates can be provided at NUTS 3 regional level are ten-year age groupings. Estimates of the number of persons broken down by labour force status along with unemployment and participation rates are presented by gender,...

Written Answers — National Statistics: National Statistics (12 May 2010)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office. The table below contains monthly Live Register information...

Written Answers — Trade Statistics: Trade Statistics (11 May 2010)

John Curran: The information requested by Deputy O'Reilly is presented in the tables below which show the Republic of Ireland's external trade for the years 1995-2009. Tables 1 & 2 show the value of the Republic of Ireland's trade in millions of euro with the Eurozone area; Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the US and the rest of the world. The export values are listed in Table 1, whilst the import...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (11 May 2010)

John Curran: The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office. The most recent Live Register figures available are for March 2010. The table below contains the numbers...

Membership of Committees: Motion (6 May 2010)

John Curran: I move: That Deputy Ciarán Cuffe (Minister of State at the Departments of Transport, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Environment, Heritage and Local Government) be discharged from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and that Deputy Trevor Sargent be appointed in substitution for him. That Deputy Ciarán Cuffe (Minister of State at the Departments of Transport, Agriculture,...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on behalf of the Government and I thank the previous speakers for their contributions.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: However, the Government does not believe this to be either the right or the appropriate time to hold this electoral contest. I hope to set out some of its reasoning for this decision. As Members are aware, over the past two years this country has experienced one of the most turbulent economic periods in its history. This has occurred primarily due to a deep international recession, which...

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: The Government does not disrespect the democratic rights of the people of Donegal as has been claimed by some Members on the benches opposite.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: In fact, the opposite is the case.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: As was mentioned previously, the Government is proud to represent the people of County Donegal in strong numbers in the Dáil, Seanad and European Parliament, led by the Tánaiste.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (5 May 2010)

John Curran: The Government is working hard to bring the people of County Donegal through the recession. Its primary focus is to protect existing jobs and to create job opportunities for those who are without work at present. It also is committed to building on its strong record of delivery in County Donegal over more than a decade, particularly in respect of the roll-out of new infrastructure and...