Results 901-920 of 11,258 for speaker:Séamus Kirk

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (2 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the adequacy of staff cover in the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland in Dundalk and in County Louth as a whole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5941/12]

Hospital Services (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue affecting the Louth-East Meath constituency. The threat to close St Joseph's Hospital, Ardee, and the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, will have a profound and serious implication for the patients and staff of both institutions. Both hospitals have given magnificent service to patients for many years. Closure is...

Hospital Services (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am not heightening the concerns of the patients in the hospitals.

Hospital Services (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: The reality is that in recent weeks in County Louth, on the streets of Drogheda and Ardee, thousands of people have marched. They have listened to Oireachtas Members and the various support and save committees, in both instances. They say "hands off" the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda which is an iconic institution in the town. Similarly with St. Joseph's in Ardee which at one stage had a...

Primary Schools: Motion (Resumed) (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: There is a certain inevitability that debates in Private Members' time can go off at a tangent. It is important, however, to return to the real issues involved. They are encapsulated in the motion moved by our party's education spokesmen, Deputy Brendan Smith, as follows: That Dáil Éireann: — condemns the Government for introducing changes to the staffing schedules in 1, 2, 3 and 4...

Primary Schools: Motion (Resumed) (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: There is an inevitability that in individual cases schools will be seriously affected. The Minister needs to clarify that point precisely.

Primary Schools: Motion (Resumed) (1 Feb 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Will boards of management be in a position to appeal individual decisions to the Department of Education and Skills? We await clarification on that point.

Heritage Sites (31 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered establishing an inter-agency and interdepartmental group which would be tasked with drafting a comprehensive plan to protect and promote our national heritage sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5248/12]

Heritage Sites (31 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: I thank the Minister for his reply. I was taken somewhat unawares with this question but nonetheless it is an area in which I have a particular interest. Is the promotion of heritage tourism in the country generally carried out as part of the overall activity and work of Fáilte Ireland and other agencies and within their yearly spend and investment? Does the Minister not believe the time...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 101: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the adequacy of staff cover in the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4599/12]

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (26 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has consulted with any agencies or a company (details supplied) regarding the future use of Dundalk and Kilkenny brewery sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4600/12]

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (25 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the construction of a new geriatric unit in the Drogheda area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/12]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 343: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the length of time a self-employed person must be making contributions to establish full pension entitlement, having regard to the budgetary changes which were recently announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3499/12]

Third Level Courses (19 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in developing a technological university in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2925/12]

Third Level Courses (19 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the positive thrust of what he said. If we are to take some cognisance of newspaper speculation and general observations being made in the political arena, it appears the possibility of a university in the south east, which we clearly welcome, is perhaps further down the road than the Minister is telling us today. He might elaborate on that. I...

Third Level Courses (19 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: If there is a meeting of minds by the management of DkIT and DCU, what pathway should they pursue to progress and reach the eventual synergy objectives which are clearly achievable? The Minister might advise on the dynamics needed to progress that.

Third Level Courses (19 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: If some institutions, through a realistic formula for discussion, are prepared to meet the Minister and he could set out advice for them, would he be willing to do that?

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the improvement or disimprovements in Ireland's ratings for the availability of high quality broadband since he assumed office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/12]

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (18 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: Question 245: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise of the financial provisions under the capital sports programme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755/12]

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Séamus Kirk: I congratulate Deputy Smith on tabling this motion. It is generally accepted that the proposals on career guidance are a serious mistake. The motion before us seeks to remedy that mistake, which has profound implications for students and their families, as well as career guidance teachers. The educational system has been steadily built up over many years. Our party leader, Deputy Martin,...