Results 9,941-9,960 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Drug Testing Programme: Drug Testing Programme (7 Mar 2007)

Damien English: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who tested positive in drug testing for 2006; the consequences faced by each of these individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8697/07]

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2007)

Damien English: That was as a result of a technical error.

Defence Forces Strength. (7 Mar 2007)

Damien English: Question 94: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8690/07]

Written Answers — Migrant Workers: Migrant Workers (6 Mar 2007)

Damien English: Question 137: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to help improve and support the English language skills of immigrants here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8580/07]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (1 Mar 2007)

Damien English: Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied), who has had a scheduled hip replacement cancelled twice previously, will have this operation carried out. [8172/07]

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Programme: Drug Treatment Programme (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the statements made by a drug treatment consultant, (details supplied) that lack of heroin treatment facilities in the midlands in leading to increased drug overdoses and increased drug dealing by addicts to feed their habits; the way he will address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the...

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: I have a brief point to make as there are four or five questions being taken together.

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: I welcome most of what the Minister has said and have some questions that arise from his answer. Regarding bog lands and Coillte owned lands, there is a great deal of land designated as special areas of conservation and national heritage areas. These areas supposedly cannot be used for the cutting of turf but this is not being enforced yet. The bog lands and forest parks can be developed...

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: That is my question. I am not sure what is wrong with the Acting Chairman today but I request that he give us a chance to ask some questions.

Countryside Recreation Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: We are not arguing on this point; we are all in agreement for a change and we have a chance to talk it through. Regarding access to land, the last time we discussed this matter in October or November the Minister said he would consider a suggestion of mine on walking passes. This would be similar to ski passes in other countries and would allow people pay to have access to certain lands for...

Rural Development. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: Fine Gael also has many ideas so hopefully we will have a few hours after the election to implement them. The Minister said he will shortly make an announcement on night-time rural transport. Will the Minister investigate the use of vehicles that belong to the Department of Education and Science that are parked at the end of the school day and could be used to save the State money? Perhaps...

Rural Transport. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: When did the Minister have this idea?

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his view on whether the national drugs strategy, which comes to an end in 2007, has failed in view of the significant increase in drugs misuse nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7944/07]

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: The Minister of State may be wondering why I tabled this question. The main reason was that the Taoiseach claimed there was no serious drugs problem in every village, community and locality. He was backed by others in the Government, but there is just such a serious drugs problem. Until those on the Government benches accept that we have a major problem, we will never solve it.

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: This is the background to the question. The Minister claims the drugs strategy is working, but that is not true. Every report, college-funded, independent or from the Government, shows an increase in use. Seizures last year reached €74 million. Assuming the figure in question represents 10% of use, one can see how much drug sales and use have increased. Even in the context of falling...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: That is not true. The Acting Chairman should not worry about that. I welcome the Minister of State's increased funding, but can he not encourage colleagues across all Departments to realise that they must reflect on our problems with drugs? Every Minister should admit that we have such a problem and commit the Government to tackling it. Community gardaí are a major feature of the drugs...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: What will the Minister of State do to co-ordinate other Ministers and urge them to play their part in tackling drugs problems? In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that €24 billion is spent on drugs. No doubt the Irish figures are far lower, and we will collate the data over the coming months. I am sure the Minister of State has been involved at a European level. What joint efforts are...

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: The Taoiseach has done so twice.

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: He did so this week and last week.

National Drugs Strategy. (28 Feb 2007)

Damien English: Is the Minister of State saying there is not a serious drugs problem? Is that the Government line?