Results 1,121-1,140 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I realise I have digressed significantly.

Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome this important initiative in the development of our community based health care services. I welcome the commitment to remove restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered sectors. I represent a constituency with both urban and significant rural areas with many houses and families spread out over a wide geographical area. I am keen to ensure that all residents in my...

Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I also welcome this Bill, but I would dispute the assertion that it is a technical Bill, given the economic difficulty the country is in. Under the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, it is welcome that the Government is making such a visible monetary commitment to this industry, which in the past has proven its vital importance to the people of Ireland. It has been rightly said...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (15 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the EBS, which is a part of AIB, has a variable mortgage interest rate of 4.93%, and AIB 3.25%; the reason they do not charge the same variable mortgage interest rate to all customers both in AIB and in EBS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34039/11]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 140: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing a scheme to give standard tax relief for a list of approved works for home insulation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/11]

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which has broad cross-party support. The key objective of the legislation is to reduce energy demand through a targeted programme which will place energy efficiency obligations on energy suppliers and distributors. This is very welcome. Some time ago, people visited my constituency office to seek primary legislation concerning the pension...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I am sharing time with Deputies Patrick O'Donovan and Heather Humphreys. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I was tempted to reread it to find the section on third level fees, having listened to the previous contribution-----

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: -----but I appreciate when one plays the same broken record, bits will be repeated, or when one uses the same script every time one comes into the Chamber, it is handy to cut and paste similar sections.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome this Bill. This amending legislation is one the county could have had sooner. It highlights the fact that, as a country, we had lost competitiveness. I was interested to read a reference in The Economist last week that we are not improving our competitiveness, but that is not the case. For the first time in a number of years relative to our main competitors, particularly in...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (2 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the minor capital works grant is still in operation; if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be in receipt of the payment; if the scheme is not currently in operation, if the scheme will be brought back at a later date or his plans for a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32136/11]

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (2 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 410: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider changing the butterfat levels within the milk the quota system from its current average of 3.57% to 4% or higher which would be closer to the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32023/11]

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (2 Nov 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 456: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are changes to the free preschool year with regard to its budget allocation; her plans to develop further the education of preschool children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32022/11]

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: Like previous speakers on both sides of the House, I welcome the introduction of this Bill and compliment the Minister on it. I acknowledge that much work had been done on it by the previous Minister, the late Brian Lenihan. Fianna Fáil colleagues have now left the Chamber, but they were keen to point out that this was their work, while criticising its elements that came from the current...

Report by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity speak on this report and note that the Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill covers the same topic. From what I have heard this evening, it will have support from all sides. When those in political life attend their clinics, there is a constant stream of people who find they cannot escape mortgage arrears. All those who have attended my office have found themselves...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: Question 333: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how costs may be recovered with regard to a social housing scheme (details supplied) in County Cork, as the local authority has decided not to proceed with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29649/11]

Health Services (18 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to raise the issue of facilities for cystic fibrosis sufferers in Munster. Approximately 25% of all cystic fibrosis sufferers in the Republic of Ireland have their treatment managed through Cork University Hospital. Unfortunately, Ireland has a disproportionately high number of cystic fibrosis sufferers and, until recently, the State was neglectful in mitigating...

Health Services (18 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the response of the Minister of State who comes from the same part of the world as me. Her clarification that, contrary to what has been reported, no negative decision has been made is particularly welcome. I am sure a large number of grant applications are before the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and all of his colleagues. I am sure also that the Minister and the Minister of State...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the release of the reform proposals yesterday. It is good to see the legal proposals finally on the table. There has been much speculation and anticipation over the past 12 months and people are glad to see the shadow-boxing over and know the real negotiations will now take place. I wish the Minister, Deputy Coveney, well. We have great faith in our fellow Cork colleague and as...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I have never heard Deputy Richard Bruton state it.

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I welcome the ambition to keep the ESB together as a single unit and that only a minority share is being considered for sale. There has been the usual emotive language from the Opposition with terms such as "fire sale" and "short-term benefits at the expense of long-term gain". The opposite is the case. This is a very measured approach,...