Results 55,241-55,260 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 159: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to reduce costs in both the public and private sectors with a view to improving economic performance; the targets set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28440/09]

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 160: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the various budgetary cutbacks proposed in the context of recent reviews of public spending have been tested for likely negative impacts on the economy; the way these issues will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28441/09]

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 161: To ask the Minister for Finance when his attention was drawn to the fact that some sectors in the economy were suffering from or creating costs which were likely to affect the competitiveness of the economy; the steps he will take to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28442/09]

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 162: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of the resources available to his Department to carry out the necessary evaluation of performance and cost in both the public and private sectors with a view to improving competitiveness in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28443/09]

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 168: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has sufficient resources to undertake the necessary research to ensure that budgetary projections are accurately based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28587/09]

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which VAT, income tax and stamp duty targets identified in the various budgets over the past 12 months have been realised in the half yearly returns; the areas requiring attention; the action to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28588/09]

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 170: To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which tax returns for the first six months of 2009 are in accordance with budgetary projections; the action taken or expected to be taken to address issues arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28589/09]

Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: I refer to the issue raised by Deputies Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore earlier in respect of the legislation and No. 3 on the pink paper, the industrial relations (protection of employment) (amendment) Bill. What is the status of that Bill especially in the context of recent developments in labour relations?

Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: It would have been helpful if that Bill had received more urgency than has been the case to date.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: We will not talk about it at the moment and we will not consider the matter of the guillotine either because there is one week to go before Bastille Day and the use of the guillotine on the other side of the House should be treated with great caution. The Whips should bear that in mind.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: European issues are of great importance at present especially in the run up to the second referendum on the Lisbon treaty. The Joint Committee on European Affairs has produced five reports which are on the Order Paper for notice and discussion. Under the chairmanship of Deputy John Perry the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny has produced two other reports. Is it possible to facilitate a...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: These are not all scrutiny matters, they are also policy matters and I thank the Taoiseach for affording the opportunity to debate them.

Electricians' Strike. (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Does the Minister agree that this dispute, if allowed to escalate, could have a seriously negative impact on the entire economy during a very sensitive time? Does she agree it is imperative not only that both sides stand down at this stage to enable negotiation at the various levels to which she and others have referred but also that she use all mechanisms available to her to intervene in...

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Do not be shy.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 91: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has identified the manufacturing or service costs currently causing or expected to cause market difficulties for Irish manufactures or service providers on international markets; the steps she will take to address such issues; if an evaluation has been carried out as to the beneficial...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she has taken or proposes to reduce manufacturing costs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27998/09]

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Jul 2009)

Bernard Durkan: Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has identified the main obstacles to economic growth within this economy with reference to comparison of costs with those in other competing jurisdictions; whether the costs relate to energy, transport or other elements; her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the...