Results 281-300 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Health Services: Motion [Private Members] (28 Jan 2014)

John Browne: I too welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this motion regarding the Health Service Executive. I agree with Deputy Kelleher's comments in regard to the Government's decision to withdraw the six-hour debate tomorrow on the HSE service plan, which would have provided more Deputies on this side of the House, and on the Government side, with an opportunity, to have an input...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Assessments (28 Jan 2014)

John Browne: 207. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason private landlords are not allowed tax deductibility of local property tax and are treated differently to commercial landlords in relation to tax deductibility of rates particularly as he has given a firm commitment to accept the recommendation from the expert group that local property tax should be an allowable expense for private rental income;...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (28 Jan 2014)

John Browne: 605. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment for a forestry premium-headage payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath where all maintenance work has been carried out and verified to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3482/14]

ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2014)

John Browne: I welcome the Bill and the opportunity it offers us to discuss broadband provision around the country.  It should allow for increased competition in the broadband and electronic communications market, thereby reducing costs and increasing broadband coverage.  During our time in government we invested in broadband infrastructure as the technology developed and it is important that we...

ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2014)

John Browne: I welcome the Minister's clarification, but it is important that we have dialogue.  In the past five years the number of broadband subscriptions has increased from 600,000 to almost 1.7 million.  Competition in the broadband providers market has begun to heat up in recent months, with eircom emerging from examinership in June 2013, UPC upgrading its current services and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Funding (22 Jan 2014)

John Browne: 179. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek funding from the EU Commission to compensate fishermen who suffered serious financial losses of boats, lobster pots and equipment during the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3056/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Jan 2014)

John Browne: 228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason original driving licences are taken from clients when making new applications for renewal as opposed to photocopies as clients are made to wait for a new licence which causes major problems for job opportunities when driving licences need to be produced to prospective employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jan 2014)

John Browne: I am glad to have an opportunity to support Deputy Cowen's motion. Fianna Fáil has consistently opposed the Government's Irish Water model. As we all know, the legislation was rammed through the Dáil before Christmas without any real scrutiny. The Minister seemed to be happy to go along with that. These functions have been taken from democratically elected local authorities and...

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jan 2014)

John Browne: Contracts were handed out to companies to install the meters in the absence of a proper tendering system. Many qualified local contractors were excluded. I can give the Minister the names of people in Wexford who asked to be included in the tendering system, but that opportunity was denied to them. The Minister might also clarify the current position with regard to subcontractors. I have...

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jan 2014)

John Browne: He might clarify that as well when he is replying.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

John Browne: I observed yesterday that the betting industry has changed dramatically in recent years. When I first stepped into a betting office, the choices available were horse racing and dog racing. Now it is possible to place a bet on soccer, Gaelic games and golf, as well as virtual racing involving dogs, cars, cyclists, horses and so on. One can place a bet even where there is no live racing from...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Jan 2014)

John Browne: How long do I have?

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Jan 2014)

John Browne: It is probably long enough. I welcome the Bill before the House. Obviously, Fianna Fáil supports the extension of the betting duty to online bets. Coming from a county like Wexford, one must speak about the horse and greyhound industries. We have some great names involved in training, for example, Jim Bolger, Aidan O'Brien, Paul Nolan and Colm Murphy in terms of horses as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Deposit Guarantee Scheme (18 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 77. To ask the Minister for Finance the implications, should a further bailout occur where savings of up to €100,000 are protected by the Government, for saving clubs and penny banks run by community and sports clubs which would have a combined total of more than this; if these savings would be treated on an individual basis or would the total savings be taken into account whereby the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 183. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will investigate a claim by a parent of a person (details supplied) serving in the Irish Defence Forces that he is constantly getting harassed and discriminated against by senior army officials. [54651/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (12 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is making to prevent British ships from fishing in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53618/13]

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2013)

John Browne: Fianna Fáil supports the Bill. It is important that the State moves towards a supportive legal framework for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Bill should be strengthened by ensuring that provisions are open to all in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Government needs to re-emphasise its commitment to the disability sector by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will arrange to have an application for a visa reviewed as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53301/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (10 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 452. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken, if any, to promote the transfer of the total allowable catch between member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53148/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (10 Dec 2013)

John Browne: 453. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to date to address the suspension of the fishing fleet in Kilmore, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53149/13]