Results 1,221-1,240 of 3,053 for speaker:Mary Upton

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: I thank the Minister.

Film Industry Development. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: I join with the Minister in congratulating all of our successful actors and films and Mr. Barry. Yesterday evening was a great tribute to the traditional value of the arts and is to be welcomed and recognised. While I welcome the increase by four in last year's number of start-up films, are any plans in place for 2009? What is the status of the supports available to Ardmore Studios, the...

Departmental Agencies. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: I wonder about the rationale behind all of this. Is it simply a cost saving exercise? Amalgamation of the Crawford Gallery in Cork, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and National Gallery appears, in many ways, a little odd. The Minister referred earlier to cultural tourism. I accept he has replied to this issue on a number of occasions but perhaps he will comment on whether co-ordination of...

Departmental Agencies. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: I put it to the Minister that were it not a cost saving exercise this amalgamation would more than likely not be taking place. That they are located in three different areas, the Crawford Gallery in Cork and the two other galleries in different parts of Dublin, means there is no real rationale for amalgamating them. I appreciate what the Minister is saying about the board members, and I...

Departmental Agencies. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Not at all, absolutely.

Physical Education Facilities. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Unfortunately the situation in many schools at present is that children receive relatively little physical education time. I appreciate this is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Science, but it is very important that the level of co-operation the Minister is talking about is progressed, in terms of the shared facilities. It is crucial, given the current economic...

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: It is very disappointing that this project has not been given a firm commitment. It is probably one of the most interesting and attractive tourist attractions, particularly for school children. Only this morning my colleague, Deputy Tuffy, told me her four year old daughter is very interested in dinosaurs and fossils and that she would particularly like to see them available. We have some...

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: The natural history aspect of it is particularly significant. Are we happy about the conservation of the exhibits, given that this project is to be put on the long finger indefinitely? What happened to the part of the exhibition that was supposed to go to County Mayo?

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Did it go?

Departmental Bodies. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: I welcome the progress in this area but have one key comment on it. Here we have agencies getting State money, but very much at arm's length from us, the elected representatives. While some of these agencies come in to committees and we have an opportunity to question them, not all of them do so. When we want information on a particular agency and put a question to the Minister, we are...

Departmental Bodies. (28 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Will the Minister use his good offices to progress this matter? We would all welcome that and it would be in the interest of transparency and accountability for us to have access to that information. I am pleased to hear his reply and hope that he will move in the appropriate way to advance this matter.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 129: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views, in view of the recent statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as to breaches of human rights by Israel and Hamas, on the suspension of the EU-Israel agreement and the delivery of humanitarian assistance through UNWRA directly to the citizens of Gaza until Hamas agrees to end rocket launches against civilian...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek support for the establishment of a secretariat to assist and progress, from time to time, such proposals as may be made for the realisation of peace in the Middle East, and to work in the interim at retaining such momentum of dialogue between the parties as may emerge. [1937/09]

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 203: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps a foreign national who is on a one year working visa can take if they lose their job; if they are entitled to apply for new employment up until their visa expires; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1821/09]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 294: To ask the Minister for Finance if, under the new income levy scheme introduced in budget 2009, a married couple of pensionable age have the 1% levy taken after €20,000, the same limit as for a single person, and are then instructed to claim a rebate for the additional €20,000 allowance at the end of the year; the reason the scheme operates in this way; his views on whether...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 295: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to tighten up the regulatory environment in the banking sector here and the business sector as a whole; if he has plans to introduce harsher judicial sanctions for those found guilty of so-called white collar crime, including liability for losses being extended to include a person's personal assets; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 296: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps which led to the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank; the reason that Anglo Irish could not be allowed to fail in view of the fact that a large majority of its loans was extended to developers, many in respect of developments not even occurring here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1829/09]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 507: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the payment to chiropodists for persons with medical cards; the reason that these persons are being asked to subsidise the medical card payment to the chiropodist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1990/09]

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 477: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average cost per year of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; her plans for the future of this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1811/09]

Written Answers — Nursing Home Inspections: Nursing Home Inspections (27 Jan 2009)

Mary Upton: Question 478: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when an inspection system for public nursing homes comparable to that operating in private nursing homes will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1812/09]