Results 8,261-8,280 of 18,755 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: We will see. The point is that the social services inspectorate already exists and, as the Taoiseach informed the House yesterday, considerable recruitment has taken place and significant resources have been applied to ensure the inspectorate is in a position to function adequately.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Bill in question is No. 54 in section C. Its proper title is the Health Bill.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have dealt with the single electricity market Bill. The Deputy will be in a position to explain fully where the Labour Party stands on the ESB and its reform in that context and I look forward to hearing an unequivocal explanation to the House as to what he really believes instead of his huffing and puffing here. With regard to the contention that there is no serious business in the House...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: A proposal to publish legislation in 2007 means what it says on the tin — 2007 is a 12-month period. The way things are going, the general election should not be an impediment to these parties being in a position to tender all of these pieces of legislation.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Next year.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I understand it, the Leas Cross inquiry report is a matter for the Health Service Executive. It is not a matter for the Government to publish that — it is the HSE's report. It is a matter for the HSE to take legal advice and decide on publication. I am told today that the Health Service Executive hopes to publish the report — or nearly all of it — in the next couple of weeks. It...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not in a position to deal with that. I will communicate with the Deputy in writing in regard to it.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: That legislation is due this session but I doubt it will deal with that particular chestnut.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, proposes to publish the Bill this session.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: That Bill is expected in 2007.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The parole board is functioning satisfactorily at present on a non-statutory basis. The Deputy will appreciate we currently have other priorities. In regard to the St. Andrews agreement, the Attorney General is considering all of the issues which arise from that agreement, including whether any changes to or developments in the Good Friday Agreement would be of such an order as to require a...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: There will not be a referendum before the end of November.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I imagine it will not be before the end of November.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I understand it, the German Presidency proposes to bring forward the process of consultation among the member states during the period of its Presidency to see where we go now with the ratification process. The possibility referred to by the Deputy is one issue that will be on the table. It is our aim that all member states of the European Union would agree to the constitutional treaty...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: When it becomes sensible to do so. That will very much depend on whether a unanimous consensus is emerging within the European Union.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy must not have been present when the Taoiseach dealt with this issue yesterday and referred to the complexities which have arisen.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The issue does not come under my remit, it comes under the jurisdiction of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach explained clearly yesterday all the difficulties involved. The Bill will be published next year.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not possible to say at this stage.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It will be published in 2007.