Results 801-820 of 19,032 for speaker:Ruairi Quinn

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Every Deputy in this House would share the concerns the Deputy has expressed. Let us work together to put in place, on the basis of everything that has happened in recent months and years, dating back to previous Dála, the kind of police or Garda authority that the country requires in the second decade of the 21st century, and protection for whistleblowers, wherever they work in the...

Order of Business (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: It is proposed to take No. 23, Central Bank Bill 2014 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages. Tomorrow's fortnightly Friday business will be No. 48, Open Adoption Bill 2014 - Second Stage, and No. 11, report on the general scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill 2013.

Order of Business (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Deputy Martin observed that we have just had the shortest ever debate on the appointment of a new Minister. That is a matter for this House. While other people may have wanted to speak, I understand from the Chief Whip there was no request for extra time. The House was informed last night by the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. We have given extra time in the past and that time has not...

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I never cease to be amazed at the warm affection and motherly concern expressed by Deputy McDonald for the well-being and future of the Labour Party. I cherish it deeply and know that we are well liked and minded by the Deputy and that if we ever start to go astray she will, in a careful way, look after us. We should await publication of the Guerin report, which is currently being redacted...

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: This Government moved with extraordinary alacrity to deal with these matters in a united way. On 27 February, it commissioned the Guerin report, in respect of which eight weeks in terms of completion were provided, which timeframe, give or take a few days, has been met. The report will be published tomorrow. Previous Administrations set up public inquiries that lasted for 14 years and cost...

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I am told it is expected imminently. When the time is right we will have a full discussion on the reports and will take whatever actions require to be taken as a consequence.

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Deputy is asking me questions about the Tánaiste's reaction when he was informed or what he knew at a particular time. In many respects all I can tell him is what I know, although it is not necessarily the full story. The Tánaiste was informed mid-afternoon yesterday that the Minister for Justice and Equality and Defence had tendered his resignation. What we understand is...

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: If the intent of the Deputy's questions is to suggest that the Tánaiste was blindsided in some way by the Taoiseach and that therefore the relationship between the two is less than satisfactory, I have to tell him-----

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: That seemed to me to be the direction in which he was going.

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I know that the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste spoke mid-afternoon yesterday. They were in contact with each other on a number of occasions throughout yesterday and, I suspect, earlier today, but the Deputy is asking me questions to which only the Tánaiste can give him a precise answer. I am telling him what I know, which is not necessarily the whole amount, but I do know that there...

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I do not know if they did. I know that the-----

Leaders' Questions (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: Through the Chair, the Deputy asked me a specific question. I understand the resignation was communicated to the Taoiseach some time in the early afternoon after the then Minister, Deputy Shatter, had read chapters 1, 9 and 20 of the report. On that basis, everything else moved very quickly. As to the precise time the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, knew what and when, the Deputy...

Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: On behalf of the Labour Party, it is my pleasure to support the nomination of Deputy Charles Flanagan as a member of Government and the appointment of Deputy Fitzgerald as Minister for Justice and Equality. Before doing so, I briefly want to speak about Deputy Shatter’s record as a Member of this House for almost 30 years and as Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department is currently considering how the accommodation needs of the school, referred to by the Deputy, can be addressed. In that regard, the recent visit by my Department's Inspectorate will assist in that process. My Department expects to be in touch with Donegal ETB in respect of the College, in question, shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The contractual position in respect of the working hours of SNAs is as outlined in their contracts of employment which were agreed with the school management authorities and the relevant Trade Unions representing SNAs (IMPACT and SIPTU) prior to their introduction in 2005. Links to the SNA Contracts of Employment are as follows:Department of Education and Skills Circular SNA 12/05...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: My Department's policy is focused on ensuring that all children, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. The policy is to provide for children with special educational needs, including autism, to be included in mainstream schools unless such a placement would...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Remuneration (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The employer of the person to whom the Deputy refers was informed by my Department's Payroll Division on 21 March 2014 that, as the requirement for continuous service outlined in circular letter 0034/2009 had not been satisfied, a Contract of Indefinite Duration could not be awarded in this case. There is an appeals procedure which may be availed of as set out in circular letter 0034/2009...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I propose to take questions Nos. 60 to 63, inclusive, together. My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools and post primary schools within the free education scheme. My Department provides funding to all recognised primary schools by way of per capita grants. Enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Primary Online Database (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: The Primary Online Database (POD) will replace the current annual census of primary schools, and will involve schools maintaining and returning data on pupils to the Department at individual pupil level on a live web-based system which is currently being developed by a project team in the Department. The database will allow the Department to more closely monitor and evaluate progress and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Councils Issues (8 May 2014)

Ruairi Quinn: I have asked my officials to forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.