Results 1-20 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farm Safety (18 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I hope it is not an indication of things to come.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farm Safety (18 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. As a farmer in Cork, he is conscious of the issue of farm safety and has spoken to me about it a number of times. I have also met him at a number of farm safety demonstrations. It is an issue that is close to the heart of most people. No matter where I go, everyone knows someone who has been killed as the result of a tragic accident. These are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farm Safety (18 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: At any time of the year farm accidents are devastating for the family involved, but particularly so at this time of the year as we approach Christmas. I appeal to all those who are watching this debate and the media to highlight this. The fact that the Senator has raised this matter demonstrates his awareness of this as a farmer. I appeal to farmers to ensure their own safety and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (17 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank Senator Mulherin for taking the question on behalf of Senator Paddy Burke, who is delayed. I can see it is an issue the Senator is very interested in as well. I thank her for raising it. I apologise to the Senators for the absence of the Minister, Deputy Creed, and the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, both of whom are in Brussels. As Senator Mulherin will be aware, the Minister is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (17 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I have noted all Senator Mulherin's comments, particularly her additional ones, and I will convey those to the Minister and the Minister of State. Additional measures have been put in place, with additional staff and resources to deal with the issuing of licences, felling of trees and forest road construction. Forestry road payments are up 35% on last with 87.4 km built to date as opposed...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank Senator Mulherin. She has been an advocate for infrastructure during her time here in the Seanad because she has raised so many issues in relation to industry and small businesses with my Department. I can see her point that having critical infrastructure in place is really important. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I certainly support Senator Mulherin with regard to road improvements around Ireland. It is important that roads in regional areas, not just national secondary roads but regional roads, are upgraded to ensure that they meet the areas covered in Project Ireland 2040 and Future Jobs Ireland, which is very important for us. I will bring Senator Mulherin's concerns back to the Minister. His...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (12 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this issue. I know his interest in the area of disabilities and he regularly raises the matter, and quite rightly so. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, who has responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (12 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I agree with Senator Lombard that the programme is very positive. It commenced, in conjunction with Cork County Council, in east Cork and the Senator is 100% correct that it is only appropriate that it is extended. Bus Éireann, the NTA and Cork County Council will probably do that in the very near future. It all depends on funding, but it is a positive start. As I said in my reply,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Services Data (11 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC assumes the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal (ET), Labour Relations Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Closures (10 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: 152. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 20 October 2015, the engagements that have taken place and progress made with the landlord of the property. [51186/19]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (10 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 304 together. Lead policy responsibility for the fishing sector resides with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine who also provide the administrative support for the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme's Oversight Committee. The Atypical Worker Permission Scheme is administered by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish National...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme Eligibility (10 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: 485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated in respect of farming costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51524/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Appeals (10 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: 492. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51686/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Job Creation (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank the Deputy, who has been lobbying the Minister and me for more jobs into the Kildare region. I can confirm that IDA Ireland recently acquired a landbank measuring 85.5 ha. at Newbridge, County Kildare. The acquisition was a unique opportunity for IDA Ireland to acquire a strategic landbank of scale with the benefit of current and ongoing infrastructure delivery aligning with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Job Creation (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: These are two pieces of good news for Deputy Heydon's constituency this week. The first is the decision of An Bord Pleanála on the Intel application. It is an innovative industry and Intel is a fantastic multinational company to have in the region. The availability of market servicing land and building in advance of demand remains a key element of IDA Ireland's ability to compete for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Job Creation (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 78 together. Regional development remains a key priority for the Department. We understand the importance of achieving the best possible spread of employment and investment across the country and my Department and its agencies have been working hard towards that goal. That will remain the case in 2020 and beyond. It is therefore very positive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Company Registration (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I thank Deputy Scanlon for introducing this question. The European Union (Anti-Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Corporate Entities) Regulations 2019, SI 110 of 2019, which were made by the Minister for Finance, provide that the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Companies and Industrial and Provident Societies is the central repository of such information held by companies...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Company Registration (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I have a further update for the Deputy. On 27 November last, the number of companies that had registered was 157,577, or 69%. Given that we are further on again at this stage, I would say that over 70% of companies have now registered. They are being processed at present. We can expect further news on that. I have to say that the deadline cannot be extended. I assure the Deputy that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Company Registration (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Breen: I assure the Deputy that they will be treated fairly. We all know about deadlines like our own income tax deadlines. People tend to wait until the last minute to pay these things or to get registered. As I have said, a steady flow of registrations is coming into the RBO at the moment. They are being processed. They will be treated fairly. I hope we can get that figure much higher before...