Results 5,581-5,600 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: I heard the Minister's reply and understand his position on the matter. I agree with the remarks made by other Deputies about forcing people to retire in their 40s. Defence Forces personnel are required to pass fitness tests which, if not met, results in their discharge, which is fair enough. However, some of the men and women concerned are very young, fit and healthy and bring a wealth...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman (7 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 21. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to reform the office of the Ombudsman of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20054/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (7 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 26. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the increased movement of United States troops and arms into the region surrounding Ukraine and the Russian border, if he will consider authorising members of the Defence Forces to inspect US military aircraft transiting through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20055/14]

Europe Week: Statements (6 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: Yes. Today in Brussels Finance Ministers are discussing the financial transaction tax. Eleven EU countries seem intent on signing up to it, including two of the biggest member states, France and Germany, as well as two of the bailout programme countries, Portugal and Greece. I am disappointed that Ireland is not doing the same. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, has argued on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Green Paper on Energy Publication (6 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the status of the Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (6 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 124. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider initiating new independent research to assess the potential for allowing small commercial fishing for mullet, sea trout, bass and salmon using traditional methods based on best practice and sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Special Needs Assistants (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: I recognise that the supply of money is not unlimited. The Minister of State has indicated that the level of funding has been maintained but the survey published by the joint managerial body, JMB, contains shocking figures. The JMB reported that the 15% cut in supports for pupils with special educational needs since 2010 is affecting the quality of education for children. Parents with whom...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Needs Assistants (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue for debate. The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, knows that the role of special needs assistants, SNAs, has evolved over the years. They play an extremely important part in the daily lives of children with special educational needs. The circular issued by the Department in April is...

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 12. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received correspondence from the European Commission regarding the privatisation of water services here; if he will publish any such correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/14]

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: Given that the Government is due to finalise water charges soon, will the Minister confirm whether he or any other member of the Cabinet has received correspondence from the European Commission regarding the privatisation of water services? The Minister may recall that in late 2012, the office of Commissioner Olli Rehn acknowledged in a letter to civil society groups that the Commission is...

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: I was referring to a letter to which the Corporate Europe Observatory body gained access. It was from Olli Rehn's office to the Greek Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: Olli Rehn's office in the European Commission wrote to the Greek Minister. He stated:As you know, privatisation of public companies contributes to the reduction of public debt, as well as to the reduction of subsidies, other transfers or state guarantees to state-owned enterprises. It also has the potential of increasing the efficiency of companies and, by extension, the competitiveness of...

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: What is the Minister's personal position regarding the idea of privatising Irish Water? Does he believe it would be a good or a bad idea?

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: In his initial reply, the Minister stated it is illegal for the European Commission to take a position on this matter but it has done so. In addition, it has put pressure on both the Italians and the Portuguese to do this. While the Minister has stated it would be illegal to privatise Irish Water at present, he is aware that the rules introduced under the Lisbon and Nice treaties dictate...

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: Part of the treaty was designed to facilitate the privatisation of public services. The Minister probably can tell me that it will not be privatised during his time-----

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: -----because he probably will be going to sunnier climates soon-----

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: -----but I find it hard to credit. I refer to the entire idea behind not giving the local authorities the money to improve the water infrastructure but instead parcelling it all up into a nice little bundle that can be saleable at a later date.

Other Questions: Semi-State Bodies Privatisation (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: The dogs in the street suspect that the next Government will privatise Irish Water.

Other Questions: Water Charges Introduction (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: The Minister keeps talking about the inferior system and blames the previous Government for doing nothing about it. Would it not have been better business for the Government to fix the leaks in the pipes before it put in meters? Surely it would have been a better business plan. When I put this to the Minister, Deputy Howlin, in 2012 he stated that the pipes would be fixed before meters...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (1 May 2014)

Mick Wallace: 28. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider including architectural technologists on the list of registers identified under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/14]