Results 1-20 of 16,595 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Bernard Durkan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive reply. In it, he identified all of the pinch points that are already visible and causing problems. The Minister of State is correct. There has been huge investment. However, even new schools that have been built recently are now overflowing and there is difficulty for pupils in catchment areas in gaining access to those schools. In some...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this particular matter again. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to reply.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: In north Kildare we have a particular problem. We have a rapidly growing population. This population growth continues year after year but particularly in the last couple of years. We at local level, Oireachtas Members and members of local authorities et al., have put forward proposals ourselves to ensure catchment areas were regularly defined and that they were logical in terms of travel...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for that reply. Again, I am a bit puzzled that we have the incidents repeating and we have the technology to alleviate the problem. While we can say in the long term that we can reduce emissions, which is beneficial to the environment, at the same time we have a situation where parts of the island are being rewetted. I would think most people would agree that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I can assure the Minister of State I have done so.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I know there have been similar questions to this on broadband. It is on the ongoing drive to provide a full scale level of high-speed broadband throughout the country. We have had tremendous success and there are areas where there have been huge improvements. Then there are other cliff-edge areas between those areas which have received no adequate service at all yet. When will we join...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: We should recognise and acknowledge the fact the provision of broadband is a massive leap forward in communications in this country. It is hugely important to business and industry, education, hospitals, schools and science in general. It has been speeded up dramatically by the availability of a reliable and adequate high-speed broadband. However, there are chasms in the system still that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I agree entirely. There may be other blackspots that have not appeared just yet, but the lack of appeals on their part should not inhibit us in any way from making the changes the Minister of State referred to in identifying blackspots that need urgent attention and to do it now, insofar as it can be done and thus eliminate many of the delays.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards meeting climate change issues with particular reference to flooding prevention, land drainage or management and any other issues of potential positive impact in meeting the various climate challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which measures to meet climate challenges are successful, and if there is available to the public some scientific evidence to indicate that their efforts are being rewarded and that, if continued, their efforts will be of benefit.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am also thinking that in order to succeed in any such situation there needs to be evidence available to support the concept. We have, for example, for want of a better word, flashpoints around the country where severe flooding takes place and has taken place again and again. We call it a hundred year flood or whatever it is. The fact is that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Some years ago, Maynooth, County Kildare was scheduled to have a brand new swimming pool and various contributions were raised between the local authority, the local community and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. Recently, I heard voices in the long grass to the extent that the proposal was not as warm as it had been in the past. The town has a population of 20,000 with approximately 20,000...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Taoiseach.

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State. Next, I call Deputies Joan Collins and Thomas Pringle, who are sharing ten minutes.

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Is Deputy Harkin sharing her time?

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy following Deputy Harkin has five minutes.

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I call Deputy Connolly to speak now, please.

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important issue. I congratulate the Minister of State on her new position and responsibility. It is a very serious and senior position with a lot of responsibility and issues that need very urgent attention and results in a short space of time. Right across County Kildare, north and south but particularly in north Kildare, there is huge...