Results 5,501-5,520 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Defence Forces Recruitment. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: I thank the Minister for his reply. Many people from the north inner city of Dublin, which I represent, contact me after their applications to join the Defence Forces are unsuccessful. While I do not suggest they are discriminated against, their applications seem to result in an inordinate lack of success. It seems to me that the Army should be more anxious to get more staff from this...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: I have no problem with the height requirement and the medical test. I would like to comment on the third ground of unsuitability, however. I understand that the Army will deem one to be unsuitable if it learns that one got into trouble with the law in a minor way when one was in one's teens, even if one's minor infringement would not give rise to any security concerns. Are there any...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: I note the Minister has also had complaints.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: That would be a security risk.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: The Minister might arrange a trip to Lebanon for Deputy O'Connor in order that he can check whether there is anyone from Tallaght there. In a departure from protocol, I extend a welcome to our distinguished guests in the Visitors Gallery. With regard to the Minister's reference to the recruitment of specialist personnel, will he elaborate on the remarks he made in Lebanon that he would seek...

Defence Forces Strength. (7 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Will the Minister not reconsider the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force? I am aware the White Paper indicated a number of 10,500 but it made provision for that to be increased. We have substantial United Nations commitments but we could only send 155 members to the Lebanon because any more would have exceeded the 10% limit about which we spoke. We also take part in battle groups so...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (6 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the motion recently passed by Dublin City Council regarding fair wages; his views on the matter; if he will introduce a similar scheme in relation to contracts and tenders issued from his Department or its agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8345/07]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (6 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 293: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason disposable stomach bags for cancer patients are not covered by the medical card; her views on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8530/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (6 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 294: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications for capital funding to purchase properties for institutions providing residential care; the number that were approved; the number refused; the criteria for giving approval to a particular applicant in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8544/07]

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (6 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 515: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures that were implemented to register prisoners for voting; the number of prisoners in each prison who registered; the measures he has introduced or proposes to introduce to enable prisoners to register on the supplementary register of electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8439/07]

Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Given that this month marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the foundation of the European Union, does the Government have plans to mark the occasion, either in the Dáil, or elsewhere in Europe?

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made with regard to his consideration of the major review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme carried out under the Government's Expenditure Review Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7898/07]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Question 58: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission that same sex cohabitants should be treated in the same way as opposite sex cohabitants for social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7899/07]

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, and point out to him that this is an important matter relating to the issue of extraordinary rendition. We debated this issue last summer with regard to Senator Marty's report. The matter was subsequently further investigated and went to the European Parliament. A resolution emanated from that...

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: The Minister of State must not have read the report or resolution.

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: Is the Minister of State referring to the European Parliament and Council of Europe?

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: That is a red herring.

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: The establishment of an inquiry has also been proposed by the European Parliament.

Human Rights Issues. (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: This is the most despicable reply I have received since my election to the House. Nothing in it relates to the European Parliament's report.

Defence (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2006: Second Stage (1 Mar 2007)

Joe Costello: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Despite us all being very happy to have him, it would have been preferable to have the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, himself.