Results 6,681-6,700 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputies were demanding political interference every second day.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: It is a wonderful facility.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Taoiseach outline the structure involved in that?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: If we had a Department with responsibility for Brexit, we would know who was responsible for what.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Taoiseach have an organigram done and circulated to us?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: As we are discussing a Cabinet committee, I do not expect the Taoiseach to give explicit detail of what was discussed at its meetings. He will recall that I attended many Cabinet committee meetings on health in the past five years. I was struck by the intervention of Deputy Seán Barrett this morning. All of us, particularly those in opposition, can focus on the failings of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: We lasted five years.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: These two questions relate to meetings the Taoiseach has had. I will keep my other question relating to the outcome of the European Council meeting until later. Yesterday I was trying to get a handle on the structure within the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in terms of the preparation for these meetings, including the Taoiseach's preparation...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: The Taoiseach was answering my question.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: I do not recall receiving any such invitation. The parliamentary liaison unit is available to all of us. That information is very helpful. Maybe the Taoiseach can confirm that the parliamentary liaison unit whose function is, according to the Government's website, to enhance the relationship between the Government and the Oireachtas, is available on an equal basis to each Members of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: I am still not crystal clear on exactly what function the unit has, but perhaps the Taoiseach could circulate a note including the names and contact details of those involved with unit, something Deputy Burton has requested. The Taoiseach will recall that in a past Administration, the late Jackie Healy Rae, who supported the Government, had parliamentary support. I passed him on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Micheál Martin is not here so it is okay.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff assigned to the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department; and the functions it has. [40019/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Taoiseach for the reply. According to the Government's website, the parliamentary liaison unit facilitates the enhanced relationship between Government and the Oireachtas. I understand the Government's Chief Whip has also been provided with a second special adviser from October last to deal with parliamentary liaison. Even having listened to the Taoiseach, I am not clear on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: With all parties?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, but we all produce them.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: The Taoiseach indicated that one of its functions is to facilitate the passage and shaping of Private Members' Bills, of which there are up to four per week. We have had no contact and have produced several such Bills. I do not know whether other parties in opposition have had the facility of a co-ordinator from the parliamentary liaison unit or whether only designated individuals can avail...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: And Stepaside.

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: The Taoiseach will recall that the issue of data sharing and data publication - access to public information - was a priority in the reform programme of the last Government. I hope it remains a high priority. The Taoiseach might indicate if that is the case. In order to advance that there is promised legislation, the data sharing and governance Bill, the heads of which were published last...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (18 Jan 2017)

Brendan Howlin: 78. To ask the Taoiseach the issues discussed at the European Council in December 2016. [1990/17]