Results 421-440 of 11,702 for speaker:Colm Burke

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I am raising again the Blackpool flood relief scheme. We had three major floods there in 2010, 2012 and 2013. A decision was taken that a flood relief scheme would be put in place to make sure that the buildings in the area would not be adversely affected by a future increase in rainfall. Some 293 properties were previously adversely affected - 206 of them residential and 87 commercial....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I very much appreciate the work being done by officials in both the OPW and the Department of public expenditure, but there is frustration. As someone who comes from a legal background, I fully understand the dangers of rushing any decision and taking short cuts. Therefore, it is important in this case that the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted. I urge that the public consultation...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister. As I outlined and as the Minister said, between 2022 and 2024, there was a 36% increase in herds restricted. That is a huge increase. More than 6,000 farmers have lost 40,000 productive animals within a short period. The breakout of TB has a huge effect, especially in my area, a lot of which is urban but is also rural, where there are large dairy farms. When TB hits...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: The Minister outlined the challenges for families. The big problem is when a large number of stock animals has to be disposed of. Farmers then have the problem of trying to build back up that herd, especially in dairy farming. The time and cost of that are huge. The important issue is how to bring down the numbers affected and how to deal with this in real terms. We have had the TB...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 125. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's recent discussions with the TB forum to address the increase in the incidence of tuberculosis on Irish farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25612/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: Will the Minister give an update on the Department's recent discussions with the TB forum to address the increase in the incidence of tuberculosis on farms, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Livestock Issues (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: It is extremely frightening to see a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted over a two-year period and the whole increase over the past five years. It is important that we do everything possible in the shortest time to reduce the numbers as well as the reasons they have increased so dramatically in such a short period. I know officials in the Department, the veterinary profession...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking regarding succession in farming, in particular the delivery of a comprehensive succession policy that specifically addresses the barriers to entry into the agriculture sector for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25613/25]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 329. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the experience of the taxation of e-cigarettes in other jurisdictions have informed thinking around the proposed e-liquids tax; what jurisdictions were examined, and how his officials arrive at the figure of €500 per litre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25229/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 792. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider advocating for changes at EU level in the revision of the tobacco tax Directive such that the law will facilitate, rather than prevent, generational bans, as some countries are considering such generational bans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25230/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (20 May 2025)

Colm Burke: It is suggested that the complainant consider contacting the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS). PAS is an independent service commissioned by the Department of Health to support patients and their families who are considering making a complaint regarding the care they have received in certain health and social care services. PAS may be in a position to signpost the complainant to additional...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 123. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for the up to date position on the roll-out nationally of distinct family law courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: What action is the Department taking to reduce the application and appeals timeframe for international protection? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter, particularly in view of the fact that there has been a substantial increase in the number of applications in 2024, when there were 18,651 in total? What action is the Department taking to expedite the appeals process and to deal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: As the Minister outlined, there are 12,600 appeals on hand, but there was a substantial increase in the number of applicants in 2023, when the figure was 13,277. In 2024, the figure was 18,651. In the first three months of this year, there were 3,021. This means an average of 1,000 per month, which is 12,000 per year. We must consider how we can expedite the whole appeals process, deal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I accept what the Minister is saying. Both of us, coming from a legal background, will know we also have to be careful not only about the issue of constitutional rights but also about the fear regarding judicial review. Once an applicant enters a judicial review process, we have a difficulty. It is extremely important that we get the appeals process correct but it is also important that we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: Could I get a breakdown of the timeframe regarding the 12,600?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: One of the problems with derelict sites relates to title difficulties. Local authorities have a power to resolve this by using CPOs to assist developers. We do not seem to have been successful in getting local authorities to engage with people. If they did engage, I am of the view that many of the issues that obtain could be resolved. The other issue that needs to be resolved in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 107. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to confirm the number of housing completions in Cork in 2024; to specify the number completed by type of housing (private, social, affordable, cost rental); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24840/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 113. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to clarify what engagement has taken place between Uisce Éireann and his Department on the taking in charge and upgrading of over 500 water sewage treatment plants that were built prior to 2008 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24841/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to introduce legislation making it an offence to document and-or distribute video footage and-or images of fatal accidents, in view that this is becoming more prevalent with the use of smartphones and other devices with camera features; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24867/25]