Results 72,261-72,280 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 27: In page 37, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(4) An employer shall not be deemed to have penalised an employer where it is established that any of the actions taken in subsection (2) were— (a) in order to guarantee the employee's safety, (b) taken for commercial reasons; or, (c) taken for other reasons unconnected with the conduct or actions of the...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I support the points made by the previous speakers. These amendments are progressive. In this era, it is natural to expect that gender balance would be achieved is so far as is possible in all circumstances. As Deputy Howlin said, the 40% target leaves sufficient scope for eventualities which may arise in certain cases, whereas it might not be possible to meet the requirement in this respect...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: The collegiality that exists on this side of the House should be added to. I fully agree with the points made by Deputy Howlin. His amendment would lead to improvement. That the legislation does not apply in certain other cases is not necessarily a good basis on which to refuse to accept his amendment. This area of legislation can be much more sensitive than other areas of legislation and the...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I have no problem agreeing with my colleague on this matter because——

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. The effects of the Mullingar accord are spreading. The only problem is that it used to be the fashion to apply the word "may" in all circumstances. It is in this regard that I have had a dispute. In some circumstances, the word "may" is useful in legislation. In other circumstances, however, the word "shall" can be stronger, as is intended in this case. Deputy Morgan's point is...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I agree with Deputy Howlin and regard it as ironic that this straightjacket should be imposed under the guise of allowing the Oireachtas have discretion. The Oireachtas does not have discretion. Government has discretion and introduces all the rules that affect the Oireachtas, including those for the running of this House. The Oireachtas merely rubber stamps these matters because there is no...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Will the Taoiseach instil some urgency into the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources regarding the legislation that is required to deal with the rapid rate of inflation in motor fuel prices? The national oil agency Bill has been promised for late 2005. In view of the circumstances that currently obtain, will the Taoiseach encourage the Minister to bring the Bill forward...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: The price will be gone out of sight by that time. More urgency is required.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I agree with Deputy Howlin. We live in an era of such political correctness, definitions and interpretations that a full-time judge would be required to determine what is meant by certain proposed and existing legislation. There is a grave danger that some of the improvements deemed necessary will not improve things. They may in fact become a burden. The points made by Deputy Howlin are...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: If hot water comes out, it could be fun.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 22: In page 32, to delete lines 5 to 11. I wish to hear the Minister of State's response.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 23: In page 36, to delete lines 43 to 46.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I do not have the benefit of prior participation in the debate on the subject, but I want the Minister to shed some more light on it. How do the amendments which he wished to take together weaken the legislation in general? I would have thought they merely tidy up the section with a view to making it more even-handed and fair-minded in the determination of the legislation's intended purpose.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 24: In page 36, to delete lines 47 and 48 and substitute the following: "(2) In this section, "penalisation" means—". I want to hear the Minister of State's comments.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Is there any communication at all?

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: He was too busy.

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (21 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the proposals in regard to the formation of future EU lead battle groups, peacekeeping and peace enforcement expeditions; his willingness to authorise the participation of Irish Defence Forces in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12464/05]

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (21 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Question 246: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has had discussions with the Defence Forces or offered guidelines regarding the formation of European RAPID response forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12674/05]

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (21 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Question 247: To ask the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with his European colleagues in relation to the formation of European battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12675/05]

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (21 Apr 2005)

Bernard Durkan: Question 256: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces here are in consultation with their European colleagues in the context of the future use of European battle groups and peace enforcement assignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12685/05]