Results 11,461-11,480 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 380. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to engage with all stakeholders with a view to maximising measures such as afforestation in the context of carbon sequestration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53895/21]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (4 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 391. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress towards enabling a person (details supplied) to obtain employment, temporary or permanent which might be beneficial towards their eligibility to practice whole-time in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53886/21]

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: It is very difficult to address a finance Bill in any meaningful way in three and a half minutes but I will do my best. I was entertained by my colleague across the Chamber from Dún Laoghaire. He is a very nice fellow, I have to say, and I am very fond of him.

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: He comes up with some pearls of wisdom from time to time, but then he goes off on a tangent again and I get worried about him. It could be something in the water in Dún Laoghaire. I will have to go and check to see what it is.

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and I will both recall that during the Celtic tiger era, we were always reminded about the massive wealth this country had. We were told we were one of the wealthiest nations on the face of the earth and that we should be doing more for everybody, and so on. We all know what happened-----

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: We know what happened. The wealth was based on the value of property-----

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: -----and incomes. That is where it was based, but overnight - bang - it all disappeared. The whole lot went right out the window and we were soon one of the poorest countries, dependent on everybody else and on charity all around us. We had better believe that. I will follow on from my colleague in regard to utilising on behalf of the nation and encouraging the spending of money by...

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: It is not.

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Venezuela.

Finance Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Venezuela.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Business of Joint Committee (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: We have to deal with a couple of housekeeping issues. Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy McGuinness, and Deputy Matthews. Members and witnesses joining the meeting via Microsoft Teams should assume they can be seen on screen, whether speaking or not. We have them under observation. Members are also reminded to ensure that their microphones are muted when not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2021: Central Bank (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Our witnesses are all very welcome to the committee meeting. I welcome members and viewers who may be watching the proceedings on Oireachtas TV to this public session meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. The purpose of today's meeting is to begin pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Central Bank (Individual...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2021: Central Bank (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: We have to bring the discussion to a conclusion fairly shortly because we have a long private session that we need to get through. I also want to say a few words on this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2021: Central Bank (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the members for their very pointed questions, which are very important, and I thank our witnesses for the replies. A theme that came up again and again was addressing issues after they had happened. The theory would be that we try to prevent them. This was the theme of the replies. I was a member of the DIRT inquiry more than 20 years ago. Banking practices in the country at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2021: Central Bank (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I thank all of our witnesses for attending today and for answering the questions put to them. We will suspend the meeting for a few moments to allow our witnesses to leave the room and we will continue then in private session.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019: Department of Health (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I am a former smoker who smoked for 20 years or so, and I have not done so in ten. There is a new challenge coming now in the form of the alternatives to smoking. As was noted, they might be a benefit to those who have smoked and want to stop, but they could also be a gateway drug for those who have not started to smoke but might fancy it. I was once told that when someone becomes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019: Department of Health (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Have we determined the extent to which illegally imported tobacco forms part of that market? Is it 15%? Is it more?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019: Department of Health (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Does that reflect an increase or a decrease in the availability of illegally imported product?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019: Department of Health (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: It is growing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2019: Department of Health (3 Nov 2021)

Bernard Durkan: On the issue of illegally imported product and the extent of those rolling tobacco at home, etc., are our guests satisfied that the proposals in the general scheme will adequately deal with the problem? There is another issue. How do we inform people who, for instance, wish to lose weight and, rightly or wrongly, will rely on smoking as a means of quelling their appetite at particular times...