Results 1-20 of 70,693 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Environmental Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Inquisitor.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: 30. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified issues likely to impede progress on the delivery of the national development plan; the provisions he has put in place to offset these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52294/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister of State can and has identified potential blockages to the onward progress of the national development plan, which should take precedence, and the extent to which he has identified proposals to remedy them.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for that reply. Given the extensive nature of the national development plan, there are ample opportunities to slow down the plan depending on in whose interests it might be and there are ample opportunities to sidestep actions that might slow down the plan. The question to which I am seeking an answer is whether anybody has undertaken to identify those issues...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I appreciate the Minister of State's candour. However, I get suspicious at times like this because hidden within the answer is a potential code to the effect that it will be decided in the interest of public spending, inflation etc. Some of those issues can also impact on inflation in a positive way from the point of view of the Government. There might be a possibility of identifying them...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Our thoughts go out to the children and their carer who were so callously attacked a few days ago and left in a life-threatening condition. We should record the bravery with which passers-by reacted to the situation regardless of their own safety. They were prepared to help. That is the real spirit of Ireland. The real thinking people of Ireland are the ones who respond to the call of an...

Report of Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Motion (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I call on the Cathaoirleach the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, Deputy McGuinness, to move the motion. He has 15 minutes.

Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Steven Matthews - To discuss the lack of grant funding options and policy direction for private urban septic tanks to connect to public urban wastewater networks. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the progress in delivering...

Meastacháin i gcomhair Seirbhísí Poiblí 2023: Teachtaireacht ó Roghchoiste (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Tá Roghchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge tar éis a bhreithniú ar na Meastachán seo a leanas i gcomhair seirbhísí poiblí le haghaidh na bliana dár gcríoch an 31 Nollaig 2023 a chríochnú: Vóta 33 - Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán.

Message from Select Committee (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Electoral (Amendment Bill) 2023 and has made no amendments thereto.

Estimates for Public Services 2023: Messages from Select Committees (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Supplementary Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2023: Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Deputy Joan Collins has 20 minutes.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Today I propose to defer to another time the Castletown gate access to allow negotiations take place. Instead, I will raise another issue which affects the Defence Forces. Specifically it relates to former members of the Defence Forces who may have incurred injury in the course of their duty and who have retired on pension only to find at a later stage there is a monthly deduction from...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I will bring it back to the Tánaiste.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: Thank you.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: What are the pressing areas that are becoming more obvious now emanating from the DPP's office in respect of extra resources? Regarding the nature of the cases coming before the courts, what areas have been seen the largest increases? Given that it is a demand-led service we are talking about, where is the demand coming from and where are the changes coming from? Are there particularly...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: The information the Minister of State has given on increased demand in specific areas is very interesting. What actions could be taken to focus on those sensitive areas with a view to bringing more pressure to bear? For example, I know there are proposals to liberalise, as I would see it, the drugs regime. Other people might say this is necessary. An argument will ensue that this should...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I want to inquire about the extent to which the various courts have been adequately provided for under this heading, given that we accept there are waiting lists in many cases. For example, a judge recently commented on the high degree to which consultants or expert witnesses were influencing the courts, I think he inferred unnecessarily, to such an extent that they were replacing the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I understand that. One of the things I have discovered over the years is that we cannot ask questions in the House about anything that comes under the remit of the courts. We used to be able to ask questions about these issues in the House. It can be helpful, because we as Oireachtas Members do not have anywhere else to go, except to the Department of Justice, which is subject to the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State.