Results 41-60 of 2,496 for speaker:Noel Grealish

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 530: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; when this project will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3183/06]

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Jan 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 552: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the date he appointed a company (details supplied) to develop and improve a new house price statistics system will be extended; the position regarding the implantation of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/06]

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: I hope that people are ready.

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: I thank my colleague for sharing time with me. Many of the important points have been made so I will focus on four brief points. I understand that Sinn Féin tabled its motion because it seeks an end to what it calls the current regime of weak regulation and poor enforcement of workers' rights. With a claim like this, it is difficult to know where to start. Sinn Féin recently said it was...

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: What about the limitations on working hours, our extensive health and safety provisions, statutory redundancy, carer's, maternity and adoptive leave? Those opposite need to get real. In 1997 there was 12% unemployment in this country. At that time, Sinn Féin, rather than addressing serious economic issues, was busy avoiding the condemnation of killings and bombings.

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: When the Tánaiste became Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 1997, the 12% unemployment rate was tackled by the Progressive Democrats and our colleagues in Government, Fianna Fáil. The rate is now down to 4%. There is almost full employment and we are creating more jobs than we can fill.

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: The low unemployment rate exists despite the welcome presence in Ireland of thousands of foreign people working on job permits and more than 100,000 PPS numbers being issued to citizens of the EU accession states. Is this the hallmark of a regime of weak regulation and poor enforcement of workers' rights? Nearly 2 million people are now working in our economy. The initiative was taken by the...

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: The figures I mention represent a great achievement by the Government. If Sinn Féin got into government we would have serious problems in this country. The Opposition seems to have amnesia in respect of working standards in this country. In 1997, when the rainbow Government's Minister for Enterprise and Employment was Deputy Bruton and the Minister of State at that Department was Deputy...

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: The concerns about working conditions and lower pay in particular were reflected in the contributions of the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, and previous speakers.

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: The concerns are largely due to the difference between the average industrial wage in Ireland, which is approximately €30,000 per year, and the annual rate of the national minimum wage of approximately €16,000.

Labour Affairs: Motion (Resumed). (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: This Government's achievements do not need to be explained in the House. I compliment the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on his excellent work.

Written Answers — Great Southern Hotels Group: Great Southern Hotels Group (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 266: To ask the Minister for Transport the Government's position regarding staff of the Great Southern Hotels who want to keep the hotel in public ownership; the plans the Government have to accommodate or compensate the workers if the hotels are sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7390/06]

School Discipline: Motion (Resumed). (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Grealish: I wish to share time with Deputy Peter Power. I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this motion about school discipline. School discipline and how it is handled has changed. During my school days if one came home and told one's mother and father that one had been slapped at school, one was asked what one was up to and got another slap. The position has changed for the...

School Discipline: Motion (Resumed). (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Grealish: These developments illustrate the Government's commitment to researching issues in the educational system properly and resourcing the findings of that research. Contrary to the impression given by Members opposite, we are determined to put in place the necessary reforms and resources to provide the best education system possible. This includes providing a safe and harmonious environment in...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to run a school bus service for the children of Claregalway and Carnmore to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8434/06]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding schools (details supplied); when she expects construction on these two schools to commence; the expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8435/06]

Written Answers — Medical Aids and Appliances: Medical Aids and Appliances (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 147: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to make strips for the coaguchek machines available here through the general medical services scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14437/06]

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 482: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of people who are on a waiting list for a driving test at 31 March 2006; the number of people who are awaiting a driving test due to the fact that they let their licence lapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14436/06]

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (16 May 2006)

Noel Grealish: Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people who are on a waiting list for neurosurgery in Beaumont Hospital from the west of Ireland; the average waiting time; the number of people from the west who travelled to Dublin for neurosurgery in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17978/06]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed). (17 May 2006)

Noel Grealish: I thank Deputy Peter Power for sharing his time with me and I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion. I favour the Government's amendment for two reasons. First is the issue of targets. The Opposition's motion makes much of the Government's commitment to reduce class sizes to international best practice guidelines. In the view of Opposition Members, this is in the...