Results 14,201-14,220 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in establishing an independent authority to procure public transport; the nature and functions of this authority; when the enabling legislation for such an authority will be published; when the authority will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/05]

Driver Testing. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport if the recruitment process under way for new driver testers will fill all vacancies in the driver testing service; if he will increase the number of driver testers once these vacancies are filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28820/05]

Quarterly National Household Survey: Statements. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: I was curious about why this item was put on today's agenda but now I know. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment felt he would not have sufficient time next week at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis in Killarney to say all he did today. We are getting a preview of his ard-fheis speech.

Quarterly National Household Survey: Statements. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: He will get more time at the ard-fheis. The Central Statistics Office reports the population has breached the 4 million mark, standing at 4.13 million people. However, there is much comment as to the true population level. Once upon a time, in his previous portfolio, the Minister got into difficulty with sums over medical cards and the numbers of people over 70 years of age. It turned out to...

Quarterly National Household Survey: Statements. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: There were many recommendations in the excellent report by Mr. O'Driscoll and his team. However, we do not need to see another implementation body but action. The Minister is now beginning to take some action. According to the Forfás expert group on future skills needs, the list of professions facing a skills shortage is mind-boggling. It includes bricklayers, plasterers, carpenters,...

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Perhaps the Taoiseach notices the poor state of the register when he is on his walkabouts.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced that he intends to introduce new legislation to require the regulation of auctioneers and estate agents. Will the Bill provide for ministerial responsibility in that regard, given that the Minister in question has not taken the best course of action in his purchase of land in north Dublin? When will the intellectual property Bill...

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: The heads of the Bill have been approved, but I do not know when the Bill will be published.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: That is confidence.

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (18 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for improving community services for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28917/05]

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (18 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 646: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of visas issued to persons of Nigerian extraction in the past two years; the purpose for which those applications were successfully made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28692/05]

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (18 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 789: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the existence of a nuclear safety section in his Department; the terms of reference; the number of staff and the grade in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28691/05]

Medical Cards. (18 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 30,000 medical cards which she announced in November 2004 for 2005 which will have been delivered by 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28918/05]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (13 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be allocated for the extension of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that the school is designated disadvantaged by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28559/05]

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that he has taken all the necessary steps to ensure cost effective and efficient mobile telephone services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28064/05]

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether it is not intended to close any post offices or sub-post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28078/05]

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: This Bill has been a long time in gestation. Much of it was conjured up because there is no immigration policy here. Despite a future skills needs evaluation being carried out by the Minister's Department through Forfás, I expected he would have had access to the research being carried out by the National Economic and Social Council before coming to this House with the type of sustaining...

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: While the Bill deals with the matter, employers are still being given an opportunity to seek a work permit. This matter should be examined on Committee Stage. Employers, notwithstanding their bona fides when applying for work permits, are tempted to exploit that opportunity. There is more opportunity for labour mobility if the employee is the custodian of the work permit, notwithstanding the...

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: On a temporary worker basis?

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Phil Hogan: I have a little problem with the issue of temporary workers. Ireland has bilateral agreements with a number of countries regarding employees working in this jurisdiction on a temporary basis. In addition, PRSI exemptions are provided under Article 97 of SI 312 of 1996, which is subject to abuse. The scheme is operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. I refer to the number of...