Results 66,041-66,060 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I understand what the Minister is saying but my intention is to give the agency an edge somewhat similar to that which applies to the NTMA. The role NORA will play in the fuel industry is similar to that played by the NTMA. The amendment merely seeks to sharpen the focus in respect of the provisions of the Bill and the functions of the agency. If the country had adequate storage capacity,...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 13: In page 9, line 19, to delete "develop" and substitute "develop,". Each of these are technical amendments. Amendment No. 13 is the usual type of technical amendment that the Minister likes. Amendment No. 15 is somewhat similar — a change of words with a resulting change of emphasis. Amendments Nos. 13 and 14 are self-explanatory, while amendment No. 15, likewise,...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 14: In page 9, line 20, after "elsewhere" to insert ", appropriate".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister makes my case.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister is whistling past the graveyard.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Come on down anytime. The Minister will be more than welcome.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The reason the amendments were tabled is because a number of us served on the PAC for a long time and there were countless instances where various directions were given and powers devolved by Ministers to State board appointees, which the House approved, and the people proceeded, correctly, in their own way. However, not all decisions were proofed to the extent they should have been and the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: We have been given a certain amount of latitude due to the number of amendments. If the Acting Chairman bears with me for a moment, I will conclude.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: If the Acting Chairman wants to argue, we will. For as long as I have been a Member of the House, it has been the procedure to discuss large groups of amendments taken together without addressing any specifically and to vote on them separately. I made general comments in the first instance and was particularly short in my discourse.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I know.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: He has.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: That is the reason for the amendments, namely, poachers turn into gamekeepers and vice versa. In my time as a Deputy, there have been countless instances of changes or appointments where it would have been useful to include some reference to the Dáil or to allow the Dáil the discretion to opt in or opt out of the approval process. I accept the Minister's statement on board appointments. I...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Given current developments whereby more power is devolved to agencies outside the House and in respect of which Ministers do not want to or have no willingness or liability to report to the Houses, this bad situation must be changed. It is bad for democracy and the Parliament and it is dangerous for Ministers and the administration of State and semi-State bodies.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: It relates to policy.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: He does nothing.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Ten years.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister is silent.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 7, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: ""Standards in Public Office Commission" means the commission established by section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (as amended by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001);". Having examined the Bill, the amendment is relevant and useful. I mean no disrespect to people on the boards of bodies or...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: That may be the case. I do not intend to detain the House all day on the subject but the amendment was prompted by experiences we have had with bodies or agencies to whom responsibilities have been devolved by the House. For example, after a person serves on a board such as NORA, he or she could make available vital and sensitive information to other bodies, groups or agencies. I will not...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (8 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister's admission that there is a need for a wider debate.