Results 181-200 of 4,717 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Seanad: Budget 2025 (Finance): Statements (1 Oct 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Senators present for their timely and very detailed contributions. I thank the Acting Chair for his contributions in the lead-up to the budget. I acknowledge his personal commitment as Government spokesperson on enterprise, trade, and employment and the positive contribution he made. There are one or two issues I wish to address before responding to Senators. A lot of people...

Seanad: Budget 2025 (Finance): Statements (1 Oct 2024)

Neale Richmond: Someday, indeed. I pay particular credit to Senator Conway. He did not mention his own advocacy on the blind tax credit, in co-operation with his Seanad nominating body, Vision Ireland, formerly NCBI. I know this is of personal importance to the Senator. His continual advocacy in this House for those who are visually impaired in society does not go unnoticed. It is really important. ...

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the Bill. As Minister of State with special responsibility for insurance, I am bringing forward this Bill to transpose Articles 10a and 25a of the motor insurance directive, as inserted by the sixth motor insurance directive. The Bill has required significant technical input and involvement from a range of stakeholders. The Department of...

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: There is no clock.

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I will conclude this paragraph, although there is still a bit to go.

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: Is that agreeable to the House? It is important to put all of this information on the record.

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for their indulgence. This payment approval process currently necessitates approval of payments by MIBI’s head of finance and risk or a member of the accounts team. In addition, further approval requirements exist at the level of chief risk officer and chief executive officer for payments of a value greater than €20,000. It is proposed...

Seanad: Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: As I said at the outset, this is extremely technical legislation. I thank the Senators who contributed to this debate and outlined their support for the Bill. I look forward to engaging further with them on Committee and Report Stages as the Bill completes its journey through both Houses. The Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill represents an important enhancement of protection for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am not taking this Topical Issue. I am taking Nos. 2 and 4. Sorry.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: It is a different Minister. Sorry.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am just not taking it. Sorry, I am here for Topical Issue No. 2, which is a different one.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I was not given a script, sorry. I was not told I would be taking it. We might contact the Whip's office and get clarity for the Deputy.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: On my own part, I cannot apologise enough to the Deputy. I was not aware I was to take this debate. No script was sent to me by the Department of Housing. I would happily have taken it had the Department asked me. There was a breakdown in communications somewhere, so it is a massive apology to the Deputy. If anyone else comes to take the other two Topical Issues, I am more than happy to...

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 29th March, 2023, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those set down to the Minister for Transport shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Physical Education (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I sincerely thank Senator Crowe for raising this matter and for the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. The Department of Education and its support services continue to support all schools and teachers to deliver the full breadth and balance of the curriculum. Physical education is a core part of the curriculum at primary level, which seeks to satisfy the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Physical Education (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Senator. I reassure him and the House that all qualified primary school teachers are fully qualified to teach the full spectrum of the primary curriculum, including physical education. Primary teachers undertake elements of physical education as part of their teacher training. Teachers refresh their training on an ongoing basis and use Croke Park days to enhance that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank Senator Kyne for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, the current position in relation to the major building project for Scoil Mhuire in Moycullen, County Galway, which counts Senator Kyne among its most illustrious past pupils. The major building project for Scoil Mhuire in Moycullen is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: It would be remiss of me not to mention that the Department has invested over €5 billion in schools throughout the country since 2020, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects. Construction is under way on approximately 350 other projects, including 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently in construction involve a total State investment of over...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: I sincerely thank Senator Dooley and Senator Conway, who used the Chair's prerogative to also advocate for this important project. As the Senator may be aware, the Minster for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport including rail. However, the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the former...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (24 Sep 2024)

Neale Richmond: As I outlined, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, assures the Senator the potential reopening of Crusheen train station to enhance the service on the Ennis to Galway line was considered as part of the all-island strategic rail review. While the review did not recommend the reopening of the station, it made the following recommendations for County Clare: the provision of more direct...