Results 58,141-58,160 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 210: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women at senior officer level in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43096/08]

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 208: To ask the Minister for Defence the improvements expected to take place in the remaining military installations throughout the country in the wake of the recently announced barrack closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43094/08]

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 209: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces will continue to have ready access to training alongside the EU or UN for peace making or peacekeeping initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43095/08]

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 211: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has taken into account the local economic impact of the recent decision to close a number of military installations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43097/08]

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 213: To ask the Minister for Defence if particular lessons have been learned from the most recent overseas deployments of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43099/08]

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 214: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended or expected to provide additional resources to the Defence Forces with a view to increased air and sea surveillance off the coasts having particular regard to the increasing threat from drug traffickers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43100/08]

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: We mention the 1980s because that was the last time the country was broke.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Everything has expired.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: No. We will see how things develop.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It is holed below the water line.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Most hedgehogs get squashed.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It is a prickly subject.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important Bill, which gives legislative effect to the budget proposals. The Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill are the two most important items of legislation that go through the Houses every year. The first question to ask is how have we arrived at this juncture. Why are there swingeing cuts in services throughout the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Everybody in the country must surely know that somebody somewhere should have taken action on that side of the House. Some of us were trying to do it on this side of the House. We pointed out all the things that were happening and that should not have happened, but we only had access to limited information. We took the information that we received and we acted upon it. A crazy situation...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Whatever happens from here on, there is a duty on the part of those in public life to tell the people the story as it is. They should not hold vital information from the public, especially in the run up to a general election.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I am sorry. I tend to do that. We in public life should not hold from the public information that would be pertinent at a time when the public are about to make a vital decision such as choosing a Government for the future. The people were entitled to that information, but it was withheld.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: My colleague from south Kildare is a very nice guy and I am very fond of him. However, I am not so fond of him that I am afraid to criticise him and his party for the way they misled the Irish people and brought the economy to a shuddering halt. I must say that it is appalling.

Army Barracks. (26 Nov 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Defence if recent decisions to dispose of a number of military installations throughout the country were driven by financial curtailments or if a fundamental appraisal of such installations was carried out with a view to improving the efficacy and integrity of the Defence Forces relative to such installations; and if he will make a statement on the...