Results 10,361-10,380 of 11,785 for speaker:Niall Collins

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: I will check when I get back to my office, or did the hackers get in and wipe it off as soon as it was posted? It is right and proper that all accounts are published by the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO. They must be independently audited by SIPO and available for independent scrutiny by the commission. People will be cynical if a political party publishes its own accounts...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: He might not any more. Politics is a career and lifestyle choice for men and women. We need to look behind those figures and see how we can address the structure of a political career to open it up to women. It is not the case that big bad political parties are dominated by men in smoke-filled rooms conspiring to lock out women. That is not the case. In my own county, only one woman...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: It is a good thing and will bring balance. Women are under-represented in Parliament. Anything that will help that is good. One hears some organisations saying that politics is male dominated, which it is, and that there is a conspiracy by party hierarchies to keep it so. Promotion of gender balance is a very difficult issue. Gender balance should operate in both ways. Should the Bill...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: If it says it, that is fine.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: A few token men. Anything that will help is good. The Minister addressed the issue of trade unions, which has been a bugbear for a long time. Trade unions were a major force in the funding of political parties for many years, and this was not acknowledged. It is acknowledged now, and rightly so. My party tabled a number of amendments to the Bill when it was debated in the Seanad. We will...

Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 6: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the progress made to date in the creation of an umbrella brand for Irish food and drink brand Ireland as outlined in July 2010 with the publication of Food Harvest 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14607/12]

Leaders' Questions (15 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: The Labour Deputies will get their turn after the next election. They should get their bags.

Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: A legal challenge to the household charge was reported yesterday. There is a query about the same legislation in respect of the legality or otherwise of an entity called "household charge". People are being asked to make payments to an entity called "household charge". Has this entity been established legally and, if not, is legislation required to do so retrospectively?

Written Answers — Education and Training Boards: Education and Training Boards (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a copy of the code of practice for the governance of education and training boards can be furnished to this Deputy. [13682/12]

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 368: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy with regard to unauthorised caravan, camper van and camping sites; if he will detail any communications or directives he has issued in this regard; if he will outline any proposals he has to deal with the issue; if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 373: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a previously approved grant of €40,000 for a community hall refurbishment (details supplied) is still available for drawdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13944/12]

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: The Minister for Education and Skills has confirmed to the ICMSA that the capital value of farmland is to be incorporated into a new means testing criteria for sons and daughters of farmers who seek third level grants. Can the Taoiseach tell us-----

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: Is there legislation or when will the legislation be published in relation to that issue?

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: There is, sorry.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: I am asking the Taoiseach-----

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: He has confirmed to the ICMSA-----

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: -----that a change in the grant testing criteria-----

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: -----for farmers will apply. It involves a capital asset test for farmers.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: The Taoiseach confirmed that legislation will be required. When will the legislation be published?

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Niall Collins: That works both ways.