Results 64,841-64,860 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister sets out what he believes are the positive reasons for the support he expects to come from the House. We in Fine Gael have always supported the concept of European integration and we have supported all European legislative proposals. We have taken a leading role in the promotion of the European project and continue to do so in a manner which is responsible and which has due...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Or both. There are serious implications, which the Minister and the Government have not fully studied. For example, the degree to which public utilities, institutions or services, such as sewage treatment systems, impact negatively on the environment will mean inevitably that someone will have to be imprisoned if the Minister proceeds as he proposes. As the Minister for the Environment,...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I would move inland at high speed if I was the Minister of State because he will know all about it when they catch up with him. The proposed legislation will remove the political input from law-making, thereby usurping the legislative function of the Oireachtas. Under these proposals, legislation will be able to pass from Brussels to national implementation without the input of the...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The founder of the party claimed he used to look into his own heart for inspiration as to what the people wanted. The Minister of State will spend much time looking into his heart and those of his colleagues before he finds inspiration that will lead him to believe the people want him to proceed in this fashion. Fine Gael will oppose the Bill because the Minister of State and his colleagues...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: They have now set it aside, proposing to bypass it. The only occasion when we will be able to catch up with the Government is at election time. Fortunately, there is not yet any proposal to abolish elections, but that will come. I have no doubt that the electronic voting system was a fair attempt at moving in that direction.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. The next initiative will be aimed at abolishing democracy, a goal towards which we are working.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Fine Gael has always supported the timely transposition of EU directives into Irish law, but that is not simply a matter of good legislative housekeeping. EU directives are the method through which European legislation is enacted in each EU member state, the way in which the Union has a positive impact on the lives of European citizens. That is why the manner in which directives are...

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That is right, the Minister would present it to himself.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is imperialism.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It just arose.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: The Tánaiste wants to answer.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: That is right.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is like the Government — the promises are better than the delivery.

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I have inquired a number of times about the current whereabouts of promised legislation, that is, the Postal Services Bill, which the Taoiseach admitted fell off the wagon. It was deemed to be important legislation two years ago but for some mysterious reason it disappeared. Is it intended to restore that proposal to the Order Paper or does disagreement exist within the Government as to...

Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Why was it removed? Is it because the Tánaiste disagreed with it? Were there internal policy differences?

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 180: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that technology and procedures available to the banking and financial services sectors are adequate to identify and deter money laundering or theft by electronic means; if his attention has been drawn to national and international concerns in this regard; if he has issued instructions or received reports on the issue; and if he...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 221: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to the proposed new Garda station at Leixlip, County Kildare the number of senior Garda officers expected to be located there; if the station will be used as a divisional command centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter [4392/07]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 222: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected outcome of family reunification or residency application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/07]

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (7 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 247: To ask the Minister for Finance if a tender has been awarded or a contractor appointed in the matter of the provision of the proposed new Garda station at Leixlip, County Kildare; the full extent of the accommodation to be provided there; when it is expected that the works will be completed and the station becomes fully operational having particular regard to the fact that it...