Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,770 for speaker:Bernard Allen

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: I thought it was 0.7% by 2007.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: I wish we could switch the Minister of State on and off to keep him to some time limits so we can get a word in edgeways. I reassure the Minister of State that we did not berate him but his Taoiseach who made the promise in the United Nations in 2000 that he would reach 0.7% in 2007, which has resulted in the hungry and needy having to wait a further five years. I agree we should enshrine...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: It was through the generosity of the taxpayer, not the Minister for Finance, that the target was reached.

Emigrant Welfare. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the United States mid-term elections, his Department has made renewed contact with the relevant authorities in the US to support the Kennedy and McCain immigration reform proposals; the position with regard to these proposals; the steps being taken by his Department to bolster the chances of these proposals coming into effect;...

Emigrant Welfare. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: The outcome of the US mid-term elections has been heartening. The indications from the Democrats that they are in favour of immigration reform show there is hope at last on this matter. I am glad the Minister raised this issue at an early stage in the changeover of power. With the Democrats now in the driving seat, does the Minister envisage real progress on this matter? Does he expect...

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: By Government majority.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has expressed to the Israeli Government his condemnation of the recent death of civilians in the Gaza Strip following Israeli military activity; if he has raised the continuing demolition of houses in east Jerusalem with his Israeli counterpart; if he has discussed with his European counterparts the latest statement from Hamas, in...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: Does the Minister really believe the Israeli Government gives a damn what the Irish Government or European Union believe? It totally ignores calls for a reasonable approach in addressing the issues concerning Gaza. If the Irish Government or European Union has any intention of taking effective action regarding the events in Gaza and south Hebron, it should bear this in mind. I saw where a...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: ——the Israeli authorities levelled one of the community centres two days later and arrested a number of people we had met. Does the Minister agree that Hamas's recent rejection of the two-state approach is unhelpful and totally contrary to what the European Union believes? Does he agree that, without some tolerance on the part of Hamas, there is no hope of peaceful coexistence between...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the heavy reliance of the Exchequer on revenue from the housing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39130/06]

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: We will share as equally as we can. While I welcome the increase in overseas aid, I remind the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, that the target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012 represents a major shortfall in the promise made by the Taoiseach at the United Nations General Assembly, when he stated we would reach the 0.7% target by 2007. Will the Minister of State give a commitment to enshrine...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: A similar commitment was made in the past but it fell by the wayside.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: Five years late.

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: What about decentralisation and Comhlámh?

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: What about senior staff?

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: What about senior staff?

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: The Minister of State better be right.

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: The Taoiseach indicated in response to Deputy Kenny that the Government had done a U-turn on the commitment made to have a debate in this House on the conflict in Darfur. We surely owe the people of Darfur——

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: A debate was promised for this House and we are now told it is to be held in the Seanad. Surely we can afford to allow one hour——

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bernard Allen: ——to debate one of the most considerable humanitarian crises——