Results 41-60 of 6,947 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: It was always so. We always had situations where people who lived on the edge of towns were not included. Sometimes town boundaries were extended to include people, in rural areas in some cases, into town council voting in the last number of town councils that would have been elected. That was not always the case either and it certainly was not uniform. As to regional assemblies, I was...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: -----for nothing other than political benefit. This can inflict terror. I have seen cases of that happening. More solidarity among councillors is needed, but I would have no difficulty with some of the measures introduced for Oireachtas Members being extended to councillors in terms of safety. Senator Casey said that local government is the most rewarding position. I say amen to that....

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: They used to have 50-year plans as well.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: They did not. That is right. I said that tongue in cheek. I will be controversial here. I decided I would when I came in. We are having a discussion about how councillors feel they are emasculated, are losing powers and do not have influence. At the same time, we are saying they should become fully paid positions. Is there not a central contradiction in that? They are losing powers...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: It would be ridiculous. There are many areas on the edges of towns where footpaths and street lights are needed. Is it the classic situation that some officious individual in Galway County Council is saying it is the big bad lads of the Custom House who brought this rule in when it is a decision that is being manipulated at local level?

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: It was a great victory.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: Senator Murphy made a number of valid points, not on town councils but on the size of municipal districts. This arose previously and I recall discussing it with Deputy Ó Cuív. Forty is the upper limit for a council, but 18 for a county the size of Roscommon, regardless of its population, is not enough. The same is true of a county the geographical size of Leitrim, where it takes...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: Senator Craughwell even referred to it in the media. That is something in which I still passionately believe because Galway is unique in that it is physically divided by the city into two counties. Galway would have benefited, and the local authority would be much stronger, if it were a unified local authority. That is my view and I do not expect universal agreement. Whatever reticence I...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: The other thing that I would caution Members about is the notion that the reintroduction of town councils should be limited to towns of a certain size. It will be a case of "Save our town council" all over again. Any place that had one will automatically look to get one back. We know that it took 14 votes to get onto Ballybay Town Commission or Lismore Town Council or whatever. Famously,...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: In practice they will all want to be back.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (20 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 130. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment what will happen to funds gathered under the new deposit return scheme that are not reclaimed by the purchaser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7433/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flexible Work Practices (20 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 23 January 2024, whether she believes it is desirable or appropriate for principals or deputy principals to work from home, given their responsibility for enforcing school policies on a day-to-day basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7431/24]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (20 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 326. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline all of the funding streams that are available to any sports club wishing to embark on a development project that is in excess of €500,000 excluding land purchase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7434/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 365. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated additional revenue which will be generated in 2024 from the increases to PRSI announced as part of the Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7432/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (8 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 222. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to confirm that the proposed stakeholder forum on the sustainable hunting of protected wild birds will include all relevant stakeholders in its membership, including game conservation organisations (details supplied). [5914/24]

Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: On behalf of myself, my family and Fine Gael members in Carlow-Kilkenny, I extend my sympathy to Finola, a formidable woman in her own right, and John's children, his sister, our dear friend, Richard, and the wider Bruton family on their loss. The age of 76 is young nowadays. We would have hoped to have had John for much longer. They say you should not meet your heroes. Just as that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Alcohol Pricing (7 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 117. To ask the Minister for Finance the expected impact on Exchequer revenues of a reduction in VAT on zero alcohol beers from 23% to 13.5%; the expected impact of such a change on consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5631/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disability Services (7 Feb 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 461. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are being taken to reduce the CDNT waiting list of the CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5632/24]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Yield (23 Jan 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 198. To ask the Minister for Finance the total revenue generated from VAT and excise duties on alcoholic beverages sold in off licences in each year from 2010 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2374/24]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Yield (23 Jan 2024)

John Paul Phelan: 199. To ask the Minister for Finance the total revenue generated from VAT and excise duties on alcoholic beverages sold in public houses in each year from 2010 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2375/24]