Results 11,961-11,980 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Data Centre Moratorium: Motion [Private Members] (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Deputy. Before calling on the Social Democrats to reply, I must advise Members that we have to try to work to 12 o'clock. It is not mine or the Members' fault; it is just one of those things.I call Deputy Catherine Murphy.

Data Centre Moratorium: Motion [Private Members] (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: The next slot is being shared by Deputies Connolly and McNamara.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for her extensive reply on behalf of her colleague. I accept that the Minister of State is doing everything possible and is very active on the ground. As we all know in this House, no matter how active someone is, some things get away from him or her. Often, if things are supposed to work a certain way, it does not necessarily follow that they work that way....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this particularly sensitive, urgent and pressing issue which has become more obvious as time goes by. I do not attribute blame to any particular individual, including the Minister or anybody else. Everything that could be done has been done and I acknowledge that there were difficulties during the past year due to Covid. However, needs must, and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts currently being made to approve and install only gates that allow universal access to persons with disabilities and users of non-standard bikes by specifying access for bicycle vehicles in accordance with the UK LTN 1/2020 Cycle Infrastructure Design along popular greenways and prominent cycle routes throughout the country;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 120. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a refund for a passport application will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a place in a school will be secured for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47018/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 176. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46858/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 183. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when their application can be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47008/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 184. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in respect of the determination of an application for citizenship in the case if a person (details supplied); when the application can expect to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47142/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 257. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which medicines for the treatment of rare diseases continue to be approved with particular reference to those deemed to make a considerable beneficial impact; the number of such medicines currently under examination; the number approved in the past year; the expectation for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47138/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: 258. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which vaping or other smoking alternatives continue to be evaluated with a view to ensuring that they do not encourage tobacco smoking; if the smoking habit has increased through the use of alternatives or hand-rolled tobacco cigarettes; if he proposes to take steps to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47139/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome our witnesses and thank them for their submissions. I hope that between us we can improve the legislation. We have all dealt with situations involving unfair treatment, bullying and-or sexual harassment, whatever the case maybe, within the workplace and outside it. The speed with which an issue can be dealt with is important. Are the witnesses satisfied that a review will deal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I will take that point into account. I thank Mr. Clarke. I will expand that aspect further. Speed is important. From the perspective of employees making protected disclosures, are we happy that sufficient protections are available to people initially to ensure that they are not isolated or pushed into a situation where they might be seen as agents provocateursor constant complainants?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I refer to the issue of impartiality. If a person makes a genuine complaint, he or she has a right to be able to depend on the issue raised being dealt with impartially. The guidelines and regulations may change this. Guidelines are not much good because they are only guidelines. In the case of statutory guidelines or orders, it is somewhat different. We have all dealt with cases on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: A vital button: the silence button. I apologise for that. There are some situations where women, particularly in cases of nuisance or unwanted sexual advances, are reluctant to go outside, when taking the immediate step of reporting, the appropriate authority within the structures of the profession or the business. How do we respond to those kinds of situations? I do not wish to encourage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: I have to move on. I have one last question, if the Chairman will allow. We all have dealt with cases where situations developed which required the disclosure to be made in the normal way. We also know cases in which people make allegations that are not well grounded. This brings me back to the initial examination of the complaint and who examines it, and the degree to which a clear...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: Chairman, I think there should be. It is important, particularly if we want a responsive situation in terms of the questions raised by the complainant. In the event that the complaint is not valid, that needs to be dealt with at an early stage in order to protect the complainant and the person against whom the complaint is made. Do we have procedures in place in that regard at present? If...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Medical Cannabis Access Programme Update: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: It is a race against time every morning. I thank our witnesses for coming before the committee and for the detail given in their submissions. It is hugely important in respect of an issue of this nature that adequate information is made available and that the integrity of the treatment is protected. The benefit-risk assessment carried out has been fairly thorough. Are the witnesses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Bernard Durkan: That is fine. The other part of that question concerns the thoroughness, or otherwise, of an investigation in response to protected disclosures from complainants. How will it be possible to know that sufficient time, effort and impartiality will be applied to the investigation of complaints? I am willing to take answers from all witnesses.