Results 1,001-1,020 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Early Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (16 Dec 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate. Ireland is currently experiencing a period of economic turbulence, stemming from both international and domestic factors, and the context for this year's budget differed considerably from the majority of those of the past 15 years. The priority in preparing the 2009 Estimates for...

Early Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (16 Dec 2008)

Tony Killeen: As the Minister has confirmed in the House previously, he is prepared to look at the possibility of reopening the scheme as soon as the general budgetary situation permits. Young farmers whose applications were significantly progressed at the time the scheme was suspended are a priority. In particular, eligible farmers who have continued their training will not be excluded from the benefits...

Seanad: Fish Quota. (26 Nov 2008)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadór freisin. The 2009 management arrangements for mackerel in the north-east Atlantic were agreed recently during fisheries consultations between the Faroe Islands, Norway and the European Union. These negotiations, which Ireland attended, were conducted over two days at the end of October at the headquarters of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission in...

Seanad: Fish Quota. (26 Nov 2008)

Tony Killeen: I had a meeting today for approximately two hours with the representatives of the various sectors involved. They came from all parts of the country to make their case and it is only fair to consider that. As soon as I have done so, I will announce the decision.

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Statements (12 Nov 2008)

Tony Killeen: I warmly welcome this opportunity to address the House on the key issues affecting the fishing sector. It is fair to say that the industry has endured difficult times of late, which were brought to crisis level earlier this year by the impact of high fuel prices. Notwithstanding the considerable easing in oil costs, fishing is as vulnerable as other sectors of the economy to the impact of...

Farm Waste Management. (24 Sep 2008)

Tony Killeen: The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, is unable to attend the debate because he was detained longer than he had anticipated fulfilling engagements in Kilkenny as a result of the decision by the Fine Gael Party to refuse a pair today to allow him to undertake important work at the national ploughing championships. I am pleased to have this opportunity to...

Seanad: Hospital Services (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir freisin. I propose to take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, the Minister for Health and Children. The Health Service Executive is obliged to provide services in line with available funding. The service levels for 2008 are set out in the HSE's national service plan. These...

Seanad: Hospital Services (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: I understand that the number of cases being dealt with in the hospital will show an increase of 25% and the number of outpatients will increase by 11%. However, I will raise the Senator's concern with the Minister.

Seanad: Harbours and Piers (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir as ucht an ábhar thábhachtach seo a ardú. There are two aspects to this issue. The first concerns silting of the harbour and in this regard successive dumping at sea permits have been issued to the council to facilitate maintenance dredging which would allow the RNLI to launch its boat on a 24-hour basis. The primary responsibility...

Seanad: Harbours and Piers (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: I cannot confirm a date at this stage because it is not possible to predict the time frame within which the information will be provided by the council. Many of the delays on the project arose because of the inadequate nature of the information supplied to the Department. Due to the involvement of the Chief State Solicitor's office and the complexity of the lease, issues arose which...

Seanad: Teaching Qualifications (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: Tá mé ag freagairt thar ceann an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, an Teachta Batt O'Keeffe. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an ábhar tábhachtach seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the payment of an allowance to teachers of students with special educational needs. As the Senator may...

Seanad: Teaching Qualifications (10 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: I will be happy to raise that matter directly with the Minister on Senator Mullen's behalf.

Fishing Industry: Motion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: Last night my colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, set out clearly the issues facing the fishing industry. They outlined progress made and detailed measures we intend taking to resolve the outstanding problems. I am heartened by some of the constructive suggestions that have come from all sides...

Fishing Industry: Motion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2008)

Tony Killeen: ——where we confirmed that we would meet Commissioner Borg and convey in the strongest terms the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen and that we would press him to bring forward a new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the immediate concerns of the industry. We had meetings with the FIF before and during the Fisheries Council on 24 June. I also met the FIF last Thursday at the...

Fishing Industry: Statements (19 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: I welcome this opportunity to review the issues relating to the fishing industry and, in particular, to consider the current difficulties it is facing arising from high fuel costs. As Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries I would like to assure the House of my full commitment and, that of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, to a...

Fishing Industry: Statements (19 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: In addition to the direct impacts of high fuel costs for fishing fleets, I also raised with Commissioner Borg a number of other important issues for the Irish fishing industry that need to be addressed in the European context. These matters were raised with the Minister and me during our meeting with the Federation of Irish Fishermen on 15 June last. The Irish industry is subject to unfair...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are designed to put in place a system to facilitate the signing of warrants where the person whose function that would normally be, namely, the District Court judge assigned to the district to which the warrant relates, is not available. Section 32A of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, which was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, established a...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: I understand the point made by Senator Alex White. The strong argument against making the change he proposes which de facto does not make the change the Bill proposes is that it is impractical with regard to the time it takes. In any event, I have not been able to find any circumstances in which the proceedings as followed in the manner provided for previously could be of any subsequent...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: The proposal to remove this 157 year old provision emanated in the Attorney General's office. I agree with the Senator that it would be a good idea to make this change in other legislation. When evidence is introduced, the opportunity should be availed of to dispose of provisions that are unlikely to be used or that are impractical, particularly in cases where they have not been used to a...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2008)

Tony Killeen: The issue of legal costs in contentious cases generally is being addressed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. By "contentious", I mean legal services provided or work done in connection with legal proceedings before a court. The work is intended to address concerns about the costs associated with civil litigation and the intention is to bring forward practical proposals...