Results 1,501-1,520 of 2,638 for speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Will the witnesses comment on the proposed sale of alcohol Bill?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It is a fantastic opportunity to have both Mr. Ó Lionáin and Mr. O’Shea with us. Before I ask about the specifics of skills and staffing, I will ask another question related to the Department. From seeing a great deal of coverage recently, the witnesses will be aware of the fears expressed that Ireland is starting to price itself out of attracting tourists to the country or...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: There has been much acknowledgement from the hospitality sector that the supports have been incredible during the pandemic. The Minister fought hard for that 9% VAT rate, which we all welcome as a fantastic boost. We have taken steps to help the hospitality sector bounce back. Is there anything we can do, besides sending messages and making requests, to nip this in the bud and to ensure...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: In the previous session we discussed the challenges faced by employers in the hospitality sector when they identify staff, be they chefs or bartenders, but they cannot accommodate them. The candidates may be coming from outside the EU, from Europe or even from some other part of Ireland but accommodation is a real issue. I know the Department is aware of this but is there anything it can do...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The discussion has centred around the challenge of recruitment and I can give examples of people from hotels and restaurants who have been in touch with me about this. They had placed advertisements for positions in newspapers in July and it was November by the time they got a response with respect to filling those positions. Those are good reputable hotels which are good places in which to...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (25 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Thank you.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 10. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the proposed new work permit scheme for non-European Union workers that wish to work in the fishing sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26017/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: This is an important point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: No. This session is on local authorities and how to enable them to-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Should I avoid any local authority-related question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The SEAI administers the grant and the Department of Transport also responded to my parliamentary question, so this matter is relevant.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I wish to outline further what is happening on the ground. The community in Courtmacsherry, realising that EV chargers were going to be an important piece infrastructure in future, decided to get the finances together themselves to purchase one, but Cork County Council refused to install it. The council’s response was that it had no role in providing this type of public charging...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I appreciate Dr. Byrne's offer to respond offline but there must be some type of accountability here. There seems to be none. The local authority essentially seems to be washing its hands. Deputy Whitmore spoke earlier about how local authorities do not have the resources and expertise. The SEAI has a grant for them to avail of and they are not doing so. The Department and the SEAI can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That is important. I was mayor of Cork County Council when we produced our first climate action plan. There was a section of that plan dedicated to the roll-out of EV chargers and we have not seen it. There has to be some level of accountability. That is all I am saying.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Fair play to Deputy Whitmore for championing swifts. Tidy Towns is playing a great role in surveying and counting swifts and then putting in place new boxes. We have to future-proof for that. I come back to the RESS 2 scheme and the recent announcement of the provisional list of successful schemes. I am delighted to say that a group in Clonakilty was successful in a 5 MW project. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Is it something that could be looked at? When there are road closures, local authorities always charges road closure fees. It is a very important source of income for them but when projects are very important and sustainable, and where emissions are being drastically reduced and the carbon footprint is being reduced, could the Department consider a scheme whereby local authorities would be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Empowering Local Government and Local Communities to Climate Action: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I was late to the meeting, but I have listened to all of the contributions. I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I will pick up on something that Deputy Bruton touched on at the start. I will not say that there was evasion, but we need to dig deeper into this matter, namely, the fact that no EV charging points have been installed by local authorities. This is based on a...

National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Plan: Statements (19 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State and I welcome the review and restructure of the NPWS. I welcome the €55 million worth of funding that will be put into the service and the announcement of 60 additional staff who will be recruited urgently. I want to thank the Minister of State for that because I know that since he has taken up his position he has put biodiversity front and centre and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way that apprenticeship training will help meet the targets of the new national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25272/22]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (19 May 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 19. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that are being taken to clear the current backlog for work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25213/22]