Results 241-260 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (8 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: I will of course raise the five points with the Minister. On the question about co-ordination I think that would be appropriate to raise it in the context of a discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council so both will be linked. I assure Senator Norris that we are aware that on 22 October 2014 and 10 December 2014, Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann, respectively, adopted unanimous...

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: Both Deputies mentioned flexibility. Flexibility has always been shown. However, flexibility does not mean one set of proposals by Greece must be accepted. The Greek Government is not being flexible. I am very pleased, as always, with the debate, although it would be better if we had more time. I am pleased to be involved. Last week, I accompanied the Taoiseach to the meeting. I thank...

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: I am not sure if a question was asked.

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: Deputy Boyd Barrett started off by asking me to comment on the Fianna Fáil Party. I am sure Deputy Dooley is more than capable of putting the Fianna Fáil position.

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: With respect to the comments of Deputy Martin about the political reality of the negotiation process that is now ongoing, it is true to say that commentary we heard during the time of our fiscal stability referendum from many Independents and the Sinn Féin Party was along similar lines to the populist narrative we now hear from Syriza. The reality is that the previous government in...

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: Could I answer the question please? The point that was being made is a correct one. There is an obligation on politicians in this House who did form part of the debate during the fiscal stability referendum and who made claims and promises that there was an alternative route to the one we took as a people three or four years ago to recover our economy. The reality is that the position...

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: The reality is that every new government, when elected, must reflect on the mandate it has achieved but equally, Greece is not in a unilateral situation. The same was true of this country. That said, the reality is that the programme negotiated for us was particularly poorly negotiated by the previous Government. It required lengthening of the maturities of the European Financial Stability...

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: All those measures had to be changed.

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: All Fianna Fáil's measures had to be changed and renegotiated.

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: Rubbish.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2015)

Dara Murphy: Does the Deputy?

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for raising this issue. On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, I am pleased to outline to the House current developments in pre-hospital services, nationally and in Connemara. Before doing so, I apologise on behalf of the Minister for his absence. On behalf of the Government, he is attending a funeral linked to the tragic events in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I will pass on the Senator's request to the Minister and the Department and check whether it is possible to make the information available.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Senator Burke for raising this issue. Again, I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Health for his absence, as he is attending the funeral of a victim of the tragedy in California. The Minister recently met with the chair of the non-executive advisory board for reconfiguration of acute hospital services in Cork and Kerry to receive the board's final report. This report is the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: As the Senator said, the Minister is clear that, in the first instance, it is for the HSE to identify sites. I have been involved in the issue, on which I have met the HSE and local doctors. Contrary to the view the Senator has taken from the response, the crucial element is that the Minister and his Department have no objection to any proposal to undertake an options appraisal, which seems...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this important legislation which is a priority for the Government. The purpose of the legislation is to protect consumers whose loans are sold by regulated financial service providers to unregulated firms. It will address concerns surrounding the continued applicability of the Central Bank's codes and access for borrowers to the Financial...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Senators for their contributions. As Senator Darragh O'Brien noted, the Minister for Finance is at a meeting in Brussels but he has indicated that he will engage with Senators at a later stage.

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I should have explained the reason for the Minister's absence at the outset of my contribution. He is looking forward to engaging constructively on Senators' amendments. The purpose of this Bill is to protect consumers whose loans are sold by regulated financial service providers to unregulated firms. Senators offered broad support for the Bill's overall objectives. While a number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Country Specific Recommendations 2015 (Ireland): Discussion (18 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le baill an choiste as ucht cuireadh a thabhairt dom freastal ar an gcruinniú seo. I welcome our guests from the diplomatic service who are here, and my colleagues in the Oireachtas. I am very happy to be here in advance of the General Affairs Council, which takes place next week. The General Affairs Council, in preparation for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Country Specific Recommendations 2015 (Ireland): Discussion (18 Jun 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank the Chairman. The committee will be aware that as we speak the Eurogroup meeting, at which the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, is present, is taking place. Amid lack of progress, the IMF has withdrawn its negotiating team from Brussels. Even at this late stage it is still very much in everybody's interest that agreement is reached. The situation of Greek finances is...