Results 5,521-5,540 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: That is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner who is considering the issue. Some weeks ago, the Cabinet discussed some of the criteria that could apply following the commitment given in this regard in the programme for Government. The process agreed in the programme for Government has been initiated and is being considered by the Garda Commissioner. It is an operational matter...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the Bill in question is being discussed on Second Stage and it will probably be the autumn before the debate resumes.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Legal advice on the Bill in question is being considered. I do not have an exact timeframe for the legislation as it will depend on the analysis of the legal advice. It will not be taken in this term, however.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I confirm that we stand by the commitments made in the Fresh Start agreement. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, will shortly meet his counterpart in the North to hold further discussions on this matter. The various projects were also discussed at the North-South Minister Council meeting held a few days ago. The Government stands by the commitments made...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The details of the case outlined by the Deputy are extraordinary. It is certainly outside normal hospital practice to telephone a family and ask them to take a 98 year old woman home from hospital. If the Deputy provides details of the case to the Minister for Health, he will certainly follow up on the matter and give it his personal attention.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, there is a funding challenge at third level that needs to be addressed. We now have the very comprehensive report produced under the chairmanship of Mr. Peter Cassells. It outlines a number of funding options and has been referred to the education committee. It is work such that will occur in the first instance. Following this, the Minister will consider the...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy knows, approximately 12,000 staff left the health service during the very difficult economic period we experienced. Some 6,000 staff have now been recruited back into the service. Services are improving and waiting times should diminish with the additional resources that have been put in place, including the figure of €500 million. I will ask the Minister to respond...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy's points on mediation. A family mediation Bill is being worked on and I certainly hope we will be in a position to have it proceed to pre-legislative scrutiny stage in the autumn. Great progress has been made on the Bill and the staff of the Office of the Attorney General have been working on it. I hope we will be in a position to publish it very soon.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I note the Deputy's concern about the project. There is to be a mid-term review of the capital programme next year. In the meantime, I will ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to liaise directly with the Deputy.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy knows, the Department has placed a high priority on supporting local authorities in returning vacant units to productive use. Between 2014 and 2015, some 5,000 units were made available to those on the social housing list through funding provided under the refitting programme, which is financed by the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. Between 2014 and...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The last heads on that legislation were agreed in November. Pre-legislative scrutiny will take place in the autumn.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Another part of that legislation is being used successfully to defend cases.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: There have been some cases, but very few. Only in a tiny proportion has anyone got the benefit of the judgment, as another part of the legislation is being used successfully in court to defend cases. We have been examining the legislation. It is close to finalisation and will be introduced in the autumn. In the meantime, an appropriate element of legislation is being used to avoid the...
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue for the Business Committee.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It was discussed at the Business Committee. Legislation has to go through in regard to selecting the citizens who will be part of the assembly. It follows the methodology for the selection of citizens for the first convention that was held. That is the primary purpose of the discussion on Thursday. I am in the Ceann Comhairle's hands as to further time if the House decides to have it.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: If the Ceann Comhairle is saying the Business Committee can meet to discuss this and if there is time available in the Dáil for further discussion where other legislation takes less time, I am sure there would be no disagreement about extending the time to have a fuller discussion of the motion if the time is too short.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Business Committee decides, yes.
- Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Absolutely.
- Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I thought the Deputy was going to break into song during his introduction.
- Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Report Stage of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill is scheduled in the House later this evening. As the Deputy knows, it proposes to suspend domestic water charges from 1 July to 31 March next year. During this period, no Irish Water customers will receive bills for domestic water charges. The Government has charted a way forward. Charges are being suspended for nine months, during which...