Results 1,861-1,880 of 2,965 for speaker:Robert Dowds

Topical Issue Debate: Banking Sector Remuneration (23 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Like Deputy Humphreys I believe it is unacceptable that the banks - in this case the Bank of Ireland - despite their having been bailed out by Irish taxpayers continue to refuse to cap executives' pay. I also believe the Government has been too soft on the banks for too long. It is now time for the Minister for Finance to take a stand on behalf of the public when dealing with them. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Does that mean there may be a few unexploded bombs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (19 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I thank the Minister and her officials, as well as the staff and all the members who attended and contributed to the meeting. Before we conclude I remind members that the Select Sub-Committee on Health will meet to consider the Health Service Executive Governance Bill at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 23 April 2013.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (19 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Before the Minister responds, I wish to refer to Deputy Ó Caoláin's point about the Irish language enthusiast who is currently under investigation again. I very much support the view that the Garda Commissioner should examine the original investigation again and then, at that point, we should review the issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (19 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Deputy Ó Caoláin, you have had five minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (19 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I thank the Minister and her officials for attending today's meeting. My question relates to the free pre-school year for children. To what extent is that being availed of countrywide, in particular in areas of deprivation? Does the increasing difficulty of the availability of children for adoption here mean there will be an increase in the level of adoptions from Third World countries...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I would encourage Mr. Dunning to monitor it but I am aware anecdotally from some schools, and this is not the fault of his Department, that sufficient emphasis is not placed on developing modern media skills in their students. Once the resources are put in, the fault will lie elsewhere and for that reason it is well worth it. It is primarily the job of the Department of Education and Skills...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Is that the case despite the reserves that are held?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I have one final question for the BAI and then I have a question for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Could someone explain the decision to give €450,000 for a drama to be aired on BBC2 rather than by an Irish producer?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I appreciate the fact that the money is being spent in this jurisdiction. Did the projects originate in Northern Ireland?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I have one general question for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Last year the Minister announced a programme to bring broadband to schools throughout the country, which is something I and everyone welcomed. From what I can see there has been an underspend of almost €21 million in the information and communications technology programme subhead. Will...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I thank the witnesses for attending. I apologise for the delay that occurred. I will direct most of my questions to the witnesses from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The authority has an important role in the promotion of Irish culture through film, radio and so on and it would consider itself an enabler in that regard. In the sense in which it is that, does it simply respond to...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I am very impressed by them.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: While the programmes that have been created are extensive and diverse, to what extent are they taken up by other countries, particularly those where there is an Irish diaspora, or has Mr. O'Keeffe any sense of that?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I have another question on that area. Ireland has a tremendous wealth of legend. It is sad that in many ways Irish children, including those of us who have moved well beyond that stage, in many cases, have a much better knowledge of legends from other countries. To what extent are there plans to produce cartoons or other types of film on the wealth of Irish legends?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I have a few specific questions. I understand the broadcasting fund has reserves of approximately €22 million - that is the end of 2011 figure. Where are the funds held, how do they stand and why are those level of reserves maintained?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 30 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Chapter 20: Broadcasting Fund
Broadcasting Fund Financial Statements 2011
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Financial Statements 2011 (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Some 61% applications have been rejected. Why are so many rejected? Could indicators be given to people to enable them to know in advance whether their application would be likely to be rejected? To what extent is drawing money down from the authority bureaucratic or is it relatively easy for film-makers or programme-makers to draw down money if they have a worthwhile project?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: I would like to make a slightly more general point. I was the mayor of South Dublin County Council shortly before the Celtic tiger collapsed. When certain buildings were being constructed at that time, I was absolutely horrified with the actual expenditure involved. It would be useful if, as a result of this discussion, we could see a comparison between the amounts of money that were spent...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: The Chairman is wise to raise this himself because it brings it out into the open. I agree with Deputy Harris.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (18 Apr 2013)

Robert Dowds: Is there an obligation on those who are no longer directly involved to come before the committee if requested or does it depend entirely on their goodwill?