Results 14,441-14,460 of 15,792 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Overseas Development Aid (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: We are letting the Minister of State off lightly on her first day.

Overseas Development Aid (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: The Government Members should be proud of themselves.

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to move the passport service from his Department to the Department of Justice and Law Reform; the reasons behind such a decision; and the expected cost of such a move [5349/11]

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: I wish the Minister and the Minister of State every success in their positions. However, the Minister has outlined the rationale for the transfer of functions. The Department has generally managed the passport service well. In many countries the foreign affairs Department or its equivalent manages passport services and that should continue here. What is the current processing time for a...

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: One should be careful what one wishes for.

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: Surely the changes can be made within the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: It cost a lot more-----

Programme for Government: Motion (15 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: I wish to share time with Deputy Michael McGrath. I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his appointment and my constituency colleagues, Deputy Enda Kenny, on his appointment as Taoiseach and, Deputy Ring, on his new post as Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It is a great honour to serve one's country, particularly during the current period. The...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: As the Senator is aware, this Bill will now move to the Lower House for debate and I would be happy to propose an amendment there that the Bill would commence on the signature of the President.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: I am sure Senator Coghlan will support that amendment.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: I join in the tributes that have been paid to Senator Quinn, as well as to Sean Gallagher and former Deputy Margaret Conlon who have championed this legislation collectively. I also thank the officials in my Department who have worked with Senator Quinn in recent months to bring the Bill to its conclusion. I thank the Clerk of the Seanad and her officials for their co-operation and work. I...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: That will be no bother to him. I understand that this is the last sitting of the current Seanad, so I wish all retiring Senators health and happiness. In addition, I wish success to those seeking re-election. I thank the Clerk and her officials for their co-operation over recent years. I also thank the outgoing Whips for their co-operation on ordering the Business of the House, including...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: We want to welcome Senator Quinn's Bill. The Department has worked hard with him in trying to reach some compromise on it. With regard to issues that have been raised, I am sure Senator Coghlan will bring them to the attention of his party members who will in government this time tomorrow. In regard to Senator O'Malley's substantive point, we acknowledge that there are some gaps here....

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: Under general law, there is an option to pursue debts through the courts. It is intended to arrive at a mechanism to strengthen this provision. It was our intention in drafting the Bill that this would be dealt with within the Dáil process.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: It is not as simple as the Senator suggests; that is the difficulty. Often what we believe in the House to be simple leads to all sorts of issues. That is why we want to carry out a regulatory impact study and, I hope, introduce a mechanism that can be agreed by the Department, the Seanad and the Dáil in the context of the Dáil legislation.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: Much work was undertaken to provide a security of payment provision amenable to both parties. There is a difficulty about public contracts and having the right to appeal a decision through arbitration to ensure the best value for money is achieved for the taxpayer. We are still committed to achieving a security payment system which would avoid such situations in both the public and the...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: I believe Senator O'Toole has provided two bases for us to pursue this and I will ask the officials to pursue the matter of timelines for arbitration in advance of the Bill coming to the Dáil.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: Amendment No. 9 allows a code of practice to be drawn up by the Minister. That code of practice can be drawn up as vigorously as possible to reflect the views of the Senators.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: The challenge we have is to protect public money. In the Senator's scenario if the State seeks to appeal or adjudicate a decision that money will be paid over regardless of the State's right to appeal. If the State wins that appeal it will be very difficult for it to get its money back. We will look at mechanisms to avoid this happening and to allow cash to flow as Senator Coghlan...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Dara Calleary: We accept the proposal.