Results 41-60 of 83 for speaker:Michael Smith

Rights of People with Disabilities: Motion. (18 May 2004)

Michael Smith: A central element in a programme to assure equitable service provision for people with disabilities is the assessment of their individual needs. I agree with the view put forward by the DLCG that assessment of need must be independent and that means of complaint, appeal and enforcement are an essential part of that process. The disability Bill will put effective systems for assessment and...

Rights of People with Disabilities: Motion. (18 May 2004)

Michael Smith: The principle of facilitating people with disabilities to speak in their own voice is of vital importance and the provision of advocacy services will be particularly significant. Sectoral plans for key public services will be published in draft form and I anticipate they will provide an important element in planning future services. Each Department concerned will facilitate consultation...

Rights of People with Disabilities: Motion. (18 May 2004)

Michael Smith: The latest element of the framework is the Equality Bill 2004 which updates our existing advanced equality laws to ensure full compliance with EU directives. I have no doubt about the significant challenge to put in place the framework to enhance service delivery for people with disabilities. The framework is broad, dealing with health, education, employment, advocacy, physical access to...

Rights of People with Disabilities: Motion. (18 May 2004)

Michael Smith: We have made and continue to make significant progress in advancing the disability equality agenda. I am confident the disability Bill will introduce the systems and structures which will effectively advance the agenda further. The Bill will demonstrate that Ireland can be among the most progressive of its European neighbours. It will establish a statutory basis for assessment, service...

Committee on Social Inclusion. (18 May 2004)

Michael Smith: If the answer is short, there is something wrong; if it is long, there is something wrong.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (13 May 2004)

Michael Smith: The person in question is in receipt of a non-contributory pension in accordance with the terms of the Defence Forces (pensions) schemes. She will qualify for a contributory pension under the terms of the contributory spouses' and children's pension scheme in June 2005, when the full contribution liability to the scheme will have been met. At that stage her non-contributory pension will be...

Written Answers — Foreign Military Personnel: Foreign Military Personnel (13 May 2004)

Michael Smith: A total of ten foreign aircraft from the following countries used Casement Aerodrome during the period 30 April 2004 to 3 May 2004: the United Kingdom, Austria, Denmark, Slovenia, Turkey, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All aircraft carried delegations attending the EU ceremonies on 1 May 2004. Four of these aircraft were military aircraft, namely, those of the United...

Seanad: School Accommodation. (6 May 2004)

Michael Smith: I thank Senator Tuffy for providing me with the opportunity of outlining to the House the extensive interventions taken by the Department of Education and Science to address the school accommodation needs of the Lucan area. I wish to clarify that the Department did not state in reply to a freedom of information request that there is a shortfall of 300 pupil places in the Lucan area. The...

Seanad: Defence Forces Accommodation. (6 May 2004)

Michael Smith: I am extremely proud as Minister for Defence to note the dignity which the Defence Forces added to the very special and significant events in the Phoenix Park on 1 May. The professionalism with which they performed their duties over the weekend is a credit to them. In Ireland, the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal...

Written Answers — Property Acquisitions: Property Acquisitions (4 May 2004)

Michael Smith: My Department does not have a record of discussions or negotiations having taken place in respect of the property referred to in the question.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael Smith: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this important debate. As a country, Ireland has a tremendous sense of what migration is about. It is to an extent embedded in our folk memory as generations of our people saw it necessary to leave our shores in search of a better life. For at least a century and a half the Irish were an emigrant people. In more recent times this migration...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Michael Smith: It was ordered on 8 April.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Smith: The position is that my Department has agreed in principle to provide a site at the Defence Forces training centre to permit the construction of a new post-primary school. The Department of Education and Science has not sought a meeting with my Department in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Smith: I have no proposals at present to change the status of Castlebar military barracks which is mainly a Reserve Defence Force facility.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Smith: It is in recognition of the Minister's work.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Smith: They are a mass of contradictions.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Smith: Why is the Deputy worried about the break-up of the Government?

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (17 Feb 2004)

Michael Smith: The position is that the type of detailed statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. It would take a disproportionate amount of time to compile this information as it would necessitate examination of all procurement files over the seven year period mentioned. I regret therefore that I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2004)

Michael Smith: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Year Name Purpose Cost â'¬ 1999 — 04 Brady, Shipman, Martin Drawing up of an integrated Area Action Plan for Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Cork 128,902 1999 — 04 Sir Frederick Snow & Partners Ltd. Review of policy in relation to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel 12,817 1999 —...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Staff: Defence Forces Staff (17 Feb 2004)

Michael Smith: The military authorities have advised that in 2003 a total of 171 personnel were promoted to the rank of corporal. Of these, 168 were promoted under the terms of Defence Force Regulation A 10, paragraph 37(4). One private was promoted to corporal under the terms of A Administrative Instruction Part 10 paragraph 303. Two privates were promoted to corporal under the terms of Defence Force...