Results 1,181-1,200 of 2,967 for speaker:Séamus Healy

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: The question of the availability of quality, high speed broadband, particularly in areas outside the major urban centres, is crucial for job creation and job retention. I ask the Minister the position on the provision of those services in County Tipperary.

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I welcome the statement from the Minister on the various initiatives he mentioned. These are vital for County Tipperary because we have significant levels of unemployment, with more than 1,500 people unemployed in the county. That figure has increased in the past two consecutive months. The IDA announced 100 investments in the past 18 months, not one of which was in County Tipperary. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I thank the Minister for his reply. This is a vital area for job retention and creation especially in areas deemed to be non-commercial. These areas are generally small towns and villages and rural areas where job creation is all about small industries such as home industries or individuals working from home. This is vital. Will the Minister give some indication of the timescale for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: Will the Minister indicate the nature of the consultation? It is vital that there is full an adequate consultation on this issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: Membership of the panel is not the issue I raised. The issue is that this panel will be making recommendations to the Minister. The previous Minister made it quite clear that he was completely wedded to pylons and I am asking the current Minister to confirm that he at least has an open mind on this issue and that he is prepared to consider seriously, and to construct if that be the case,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: 5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the provision of high-speed broadband throughout the country; the progress being made in the provision of high-speed broadband services to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31680/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: The availability of quality high-speed broadband in both urban and rural areas throughout the country is vital for job retention, job creation and social and economic development. Will the Minister provide an update on the provision of this broadband throughout the country?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: 3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work of the expert panel appointed to review the Grid Link routes, with specific reference to the undergrounding of cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31679/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I congratulate the Minister and Minister of State on their appointments and wish them well for the future. The proposal to construct monster pylons 45 m high - ten times the height of an average bungalow - throughout the country to carry high-voltage power lines has given rise to significant concern among members of the public. When the process for submissions in respect of these closed on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: The Minister stated that the independent expert panel is examining this matter. Many people throughout the country are concerned about the actual independence of the panel. That concern arises for two reasons in particular. In the first instance, the panel is being advised and provided with technical, financial and engineering information by EirGrid. There is a significant lack of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: 27. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are replacing the existing grant scheme operated with community not-for-profit organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31289/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: 29. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will grant increased funding on a multi-year basis to TG4, in view of the fact that its funding is significantly below similar services in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31291/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (17 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: 34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the contribution by wind energy towards the overall energy and electricity bills for the country on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31293/14]

Disability Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I congratulate Deputy Finian McGrath on raising again the important issue of disabled people. The Deputy has consistently championed people with disabilities over the years, for which I thank him. I also congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, on his elevation to office and hope things go well for him. The first item of business for the new...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: Yes, of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: The issue also arises of access to other services through the medical card. Even though Mr. Hennessy previously told us that the medical card does not qualify holders to other services, in practice it is a gateway to those services.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I have no problem with the staff. As the Chairman has said, they are courteous and helpful in so far as they can be. Any time I have been in contact with Mr. Hennessy, either in his briefings here, over the telephone or whatever, he has been helpful. However, we have heard from him now exactly what we heard about the discretionary medical card issue for two years - a refusal to accept that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: We are not talking about GP services but about access to drugs.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: The Minister of State is deliberately distorting the questions being asked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Séamus Healy: I apologise for my having to leave the meeting earlier. Most of the relevant questions have been raised but I want to return to the question of medical cards. I agree fully with Deputy McLellan. The public, my office staff and I are totally frustrated dealing with medical cards. We have no difficulty with the HSE staff who are involved because they are as courteous and helpful as can be...