Results 5,541-5,560 of 10,319 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: When we look at this as a finance committee, we wonder why it is that maybe other third level institutions within the State were not given the opportunity to host a chair of public health strategy and leadership. Looking back, would it have been preferable if other third level institutions within the State had been given the opportunity to bid for this important and prestigious chair?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know Mr. Fraser had no involvement but I am asking the question in general and from his perspective as Secretary General.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Okay. I am not asking Mr. Fraser to talk about other people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I do not understand that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: No, I am not trying to criticise other people. I am simply raising the question when the State was going to fund a prestigious chair of public health strategy and leadership of whether it would have been better for that option to have been open to other third level institutions, or that third level institutions could have expressed an interest in hosting that chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: What was Mr. Fraser's understanding of the funding arrangements for this secondment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: What was Mr. Fraser's understanding of it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the matters of interest to this committee is that third level institutions are funded significantly but not exclusively by the State. Trinity is certainly not funded exclusively by the State. Was any request made to Trinity to see if it would part-fund the chair? If not, is it something that should have been considered?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Everyone in this room, and I think the vast majority of people in the country, have great respect for Dr. Holohan and the work he has done. The following does not have to be interpreted as a criticism. Looking at the details of this proposal, it seems this was a job or secondment being designed for one individual. Does Mr. Fraser agree on that point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Dr. Holohan is unquestionably very qualified for the post. Does Mr. Fraser think it might be better for the post of chair to be established and for other individuals to be able to apply for it as a result of a public advertisement? If Dr. Holohan got it, nobody would question his credentials or suitability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will raise a broader point but it is an issue of public policy. When civil servants reach a position at the top of a Department, they traditionally stay there until retirement. I know Mr. Fraser's circumstances and the question is not about him. Is there a position in the country now where we must look to see what to do with very high-level and qualified civil servants if there are only...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to senior civil servants, they need to maintain and continue work in order to get their full pension. What should we do as policymakers to ensure there is not such uncertainty about what happens to senior civil servants? I know Mr. Fraser is going off and we wish him well in his role in London. I know the case of Dr. Holohan, the CMO, is slightly different but it is an issue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Fraser.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 207. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour-related accidents due to sleep apnoea recorded in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive in tabular form. [20590/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 345. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he plans to take to reduce the inordinate queues that are occurring on a daily basis at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 386. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep disorders; and the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep apnoea in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive, in tabular form. [20215/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 387. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his strategy to reduce the number of road collisions due to sleep disorders and apnoea. [20216/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank our guests for attending the committee. My first question is for Ms Forster. The committee's purpose is to produce a report that will outline what we recommend as senior cycle reform, taking into account the expert evidence that we hear. In doing that we need to have an accurate assessment of the benefits of the leaving certificate as it is at present. Briefly, what are the...