Results 18,281-18,300 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: 256. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to support various community based cultural activities nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24553/19]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Performing Arts (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: 258. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department directly or through the aegis of bodies under the remit of her Department continue to assist community based groups and organisations involved in musical or theatrical productions nationally with a view to maximising interest in the arts at local level; and if she will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: 259. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the arts sector continues to attract support from philanthropists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24556/19]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: 260. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her support for the arts sector continues to result in continued activity and employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24557/19]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Development (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: 261. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications; the difficulties encountered in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24558/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I am in an awkward position because I was thinking about what I would say when I was sitting opposite as a committee member. Perhaps our guests will forgive me if I continue with those thoughts because I wanted, like everybody else, to thank them for being with us today and to welcome their presentations. It goes without saying that the formation of alliances and friendship groups is more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: Thank you, Senator Craughwell. You got enough of the presentation and you made a good input yourself. One thing that has come up in the context of dialogue today is climate change. It is the issue in vogue at the moment. We have to understand that in the dialogue we cannot expect Italy, France and Germany to close down their motor manufacturing industries or engineering sectors....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: We have to move on to our second delegation. We will suspend for a moment but before we do I wish to thank our guests for being with us this afternoon. We are very privileged to have had with us two people of their experience and their commitment to European issues over a long number of years. It is a privilege for us to hear from them at first hand. It is of benefit to everybody here. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome our guest speakers from European Movement Ireland, Ms Noelle O’Connell, executive director, and Mr. Daniel Keohane, head of policy and advocacy. Since 1954, European Movement Ireland has been working to strengthen the connection between all sectors of Irish society and Europe. The committee will be familiar with its work and I am sure our guests are familiar with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I will bring in committee members now, but the delegates will be able to contribute again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Alliance Building to Strengthen the European Union (Resumed): Institute of International and European Affairs (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I should explain to the witnesses the comings and goings of members. During the course of the debate, the Seanad is sitting and votes arise. They have to go to vote. Otherwise a problem arises. I note Ms O'Connell has another paragraph or two to divulge to us. I note the way the debate has been moving in recent weeks in Europe and there being a quid pro quofor one type of support or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome our guests and thank them for the information provided. Mr. Barry mentioned that the cost of the children's hospital will be higher than previously estimated. My colleague was innovative in his generation of actual expenditure as opposed to estimated expenditure. What expenditure are we talking about? Have we overspent on the works to date at the two outreach and acute care...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: All of the works at all the sites are within budget so far.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: The use of the word "overspend" was wrong, then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: The word used should have been "under-projection" or "underestimate".

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: How did that develop into what is now commonly referred to as an outrageous overspend? When members of the general public wake up in the morning and read their newspapers, they think that this is appalling, but there is no overspend. All of the works involved so far are within budget. Is that true?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: My colleague was also inspirational on this. He mentioned that clinicians had expressed concerns about procurement. I can understand that, having been involved in the initial stages of a hospital development programme previously. Clinicians usually want the best, and they are entitled to that and should get it, but I am unsure as to whether my colleague was suggesting that there should be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I am impressed with the response. I am grateful to have had an opportunity to reassure my colleague, who had deep-rooted concerns that the project would come asunder. Obviously, that will not be the case. Adequate provision has been made for ongoing procurement, where necessary, to the standard and quality required.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: My colleague is saying "No", but that is just a stage whisper. He has a habit of doing that from time to time. Since overspend had become a major issue for public confidence in the system, it was important that we clarified the position once and for all. We now know that there is no overspend. It took all this time to bring out that kernel of information, but at least we have it now. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children's Hospital: Discussion (12 Jun 2019)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Dr. Curtis. I am coming to the end of my questions. In deference to all of the speakers yet to come I do not propose to go on as long as the last speaker. The points raised are very impressive and correct. The agencies and bodies providing the service are fully alert to the full requirements, the extent of the demand and the likely demand. How is it identified and how does it...