Results 981-1,000 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I request the same note.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will address amendments Nos. 8 and 9 when we reach amendment No. 12.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 12: In page 23, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “Report in ensuring people aged 65 years of age have right to retire on State Pension Contributory 45. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on restoring the option on the right to retire for those aged 65 years of age on a State Pension Contributory and...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: My apologies, the Minister is right, but it is paid at a lower rate.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Everyone who wishes it.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, if they want it.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Like a lot of these matters, it is not so much a report I am looking for as for the Minister to do it, but I have to put down my amendment in that way.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I gave an example last week of a floor-layer I know. I did not quite get it right in the Chamber last week but I was talking to him about the details again. He does a full week's work and he has to take the first two or three days off the following week. He is just not able for two solid weeks in a row and he is 63 so he still has a good bit to go as things stand. If the Minister is...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I wish to check one or two things. I asked some of these questions at the briefing and I think I have it right but I want to double-check. Hereafter, when the budget is announced, there will be two primary sets of figures for the pension, namely, a rate for the 66-year-olds; and three different rates for the 67, 68 and 69-year-olds. Each of those people will follow a trajectory that would...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is pegged to the base rate, so once the Government keeps the base rate paced with inflation that will be addressed.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The big stabiliser is the-----

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will be very brief. I want to flag an issue and, if possible, the Minister might give a brief response. The point has been made to me that decisions taken with regard to other parts of the budget - that is, an increase in the minimum wage, which is welcome - have meant that the comparative advantage of the wage subsidy scheme has been a bit lost. It has not kept pace. I suppose that...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It was increased about 18 months ago, I think.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, if it cannot keep pace, it should be pegged to it realistically.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 165. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategic objectives underpinning the provision of subsidies for the transportation of freight to the offshore islands. [52724/23]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 166. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to explain the metric on which the maximum pricing for the transportation of freight to the offshore island set by her Department is based; if the maximum pricing applies to all islands equally regardless of distance from the mainland; and if so, the reason for this. [52725/23]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 167. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the ongoing monitoring mechanisms that are in place to oversee that the service provided by subsidised offshore island freight operators is working in the best interests of island residents. [52726/23]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 168. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are minimum equipment requirements specified for subsidised freight operators on the various routes and for the island piers; and to outline how this is monitored. [52727/23]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (29 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 169. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any PSO element in the freight contracts between her Department and the various operators; and if not, the reason for same. [52728/23]

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (28 Nov 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am wondering if the Minister of State will answer the straight question. Will he answer the simple question of what missions this Government wishes to involve the State in that it is not currently permitted to do? If we are going peacekeeping and we are not doing it with the UN, then who are we going peacekeeping with? Will the Minister of State answer that question? I suspect not....