Results 61-80 of 1,552 for speaker:Peter Burke in 'Dáil debates'

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Sector Pensions (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I am not aware that it is but, I have to say, I am not an expert in the matter.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Sector Pensions (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: Absolutely. I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I would like to clarify that issues in respect of Córas Iompair Éireann pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and its employees. The employees of the CIÉ Group companies, namely, Bus...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue and for the opportunity to discuss the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. As the Deputy will be aware, the Act was commenced in April of this year, following the passage of amending legislation, by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, and the constructive input of Deputies and Senators across the Houses. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I also thank Deputy Cahill for raising this issue. I acknowledge the people in the Gallery who have come here to hear this Topical Issue debate. I am obviously taking this on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, who cannot be here. As someone from a farming background who was reared on our family's suckler farm, I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: Just to be very clear, I am not in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and I do not have any knowledge of this case. I know this is not acceptable at times for Deputies when Topical Issue debates and the issues raised in them are very important. Obviously, though, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, will have the detail and knowledge concerning this matter. When Deputies have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I am.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Cannon for raising this very important topic, which I know he has a great interest in and has been fighting for. From the outset, I would like to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Cannon for putting a very robust case on the record of the House. I will relay that to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his thoughts on the content of the response from the Department on the policy perspective and the delivery of key services to his community. The Minister for Transport believes in expanding the public transport network and increasing service levels...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Sector Pensions (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Burke: I reassure the Deputy that the Minister for Transport and his officials are working closely with CIÉ to seek a resolution to the ongoing pension issues in the group. I am also advised that the key step to resolving the CIÉ pension deficit and, therefore, towards making pension increases payable is to implement the Labour Court recommendation that has previously been accepted in a...

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (28 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "agrees that: — the Government reiterates Ireland's longstanding policy of military neutrality; — Ireland's neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements; — the Government has no plans to...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: First, our thoughts and prayers are with the young child in hospital, their carer and all the staff at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire. It is so important that they have our support at this very difficult time after what was a horrific attack on innocence. It is also very important that we do not conflate the events that happened later that evening and the anarchy we saw unfold in Dublin...

Consultative Forum on International Security Policy Report: Statements (22 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I am pleased to join colleagues for this important debate. I will conclude today's session with a few words on the consultative forum and the related next steps. Allow me to thank Deputies for their valuable contributions in the House today. One of the main goals of the forum was to generate discussions on our foreign, security and defence policies. Anyone who has listened to the last two...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Members for their contributions and the questions they have put forward in respect of the difficult situation that is unfolding before our eyes in the Middle East. It is horrific to see some of the pictures, scenes and videos coming from the Gaza Strip. It is an area that is exceptionally densely populated. It is just over 40 km long and 12 km wide at its widest part. Israel has...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: -----on vulnerable children and women throughout the Gaza Strip. It is totally unacceptable. We have to work through the UN, as we are doing, to try to achieve a ceasefire. We must also work through the European Union. Deputy Howlin captured the situation well when he went through the result of the vote in the UN General Assembly and spoke about how some European countries have voted...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. I will now address further issues that were discussed at the October European Council meeting. A strategic discussion on the situation in the Sahel was held during the European Council meeting in light of the continuing deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the region, aggravated by political instability. Leaders...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (25 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank all Deputies for their comments. I will focus my remarks on the Sahel, Serbia and Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh, preparations for COP28 and damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. I echo the Taoiseach's comments on the appalling situation in the Middle East. The Government condemns Hamas's brutal attack on Israel and recognises the right of Israel to defend itself but...

Mortgage Interest Relief: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Sep 2023)

Peter Burke: The Government fully accepts the increase in interest rates together with the general increase in the cost of living is causing real problems for some mortgage holders. We have addressed economic challenges in recent years, in particular, through Brexit and Covid, and we now can address the latest challenges arising from the need to tackle high inflation. The Government is acutely aware...

European Council Meeting: Statements, Questions and Answers (12 Jul 2023)

Peter Burke: We are not part of Frontex. That is an external border.

European Council Meeting: Statements, Questions and Answers (12 Jul 2023)

Peter Burke: It is part of the European Union, but each country has its own agreement with Frontex and it is with regard to external borders. I am not aware of funding we are providing to it but I will check that point.

European Council Meeting: Statements, Questions and Answers (12 Jul 2023)

Peter Burke: I might read my contribution first and then try to attack some of the questions.