Results 1-20 of 2,792 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I have a reply to read on behalf of the Minister but the Deputy knows what the Minister would say. I want to talk as someone who held the job. There is only one disagreement I have with what the Deputy has said. He said that hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. I think it is millions. I have seen these issues at first hand. I have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. He makes the valid point that while what has happened with USAID is the most impactful, we have also seen impacts in the range of countries that have reduced their aid budgets, including the UK. At the heart of what we do has always been the process of reaching the furthest behind first. We target our ODA on that basis. The Government is committed to that approach and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: At the outset, I stress that enabling students with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for this Government. It is the Government's priority to ensure all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to allow children with special educational needs to flourish and prosper. There...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I restate that in excess of 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes. The number of special classes has increased by 100% since 2020. It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As I outlined, budget 2025 provides funding for 400 new special classes - up to 300 additional...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I reiterate that the Minister’s aim is to ensure the most effective operation of the assisted decision-making (capacity) legislation and to ensure that its principles are upheld and that its objectives of promoting and enshrining the rights of those with capacity difficulties to retain as much autonomy as possible are realised. We must always make sure that our laws are working for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for the question and for giving me the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth and to outline how the Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. I stress that enabling students to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I reassure him that I will convey that concern back to the Minister to ensure that continued engagement takes place. I have no doubt that the Deputy will continue to raise it and engage on it himself too.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was commenced in 2023, and it represents a landmark legal reform in this country. The Act replaced the 1871 Victorian-era wards of court system with a rights-based model for tiered decision support arrangements. It is a key component...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Currie for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. From the aviation safety perspective, the regulation of the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems as they are technically known, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable to Ireland. Two drone-specific EU regulations...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Aviation is obviously a highly regulated area, but I agree with the Deputy that the rapid pace of drone innovation and its commercialisation have created a challenge. The Government is aware of the impact of that and of the growing drone sector, particularly in the context of the increasing volume of operations. The programme for Government includes a commitment to finalise and implement a...

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Today's debate has been beneficial. I have listened carefully to contributions made by all Deputies, each important and warranting consideration. The Minister, Depute McEntee, who was in the Chamber until just now, has given particular updates and outlines of current work happening within the Department and the planned work to increase the number of multidenominational schools where parents...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the topic to which it relates on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I also very much welcome the opportunity to do so because the Senator and I live in the same constituency. I know exactly the condition of the roads mentioned and very much agree with the points made her. Road opening licences are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I reassure the Senator that the appropriate standards and timeframes for opening up are in place. I fully take on board the Senator’s comments and will also pass on to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, her remarks on the experience so many people have when they are looking at what they believe to be incomplete reinstatements after roadworks.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator. I am replying to him on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for international road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Deputy Canney. The Senator has done a lot of work on this issue, which he has raised on a number of occasions. As I have no doubt he is aware, the final report of the all-island strategic rail review, which was undertaken by the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I have no doubt the Senator will do that as he has made the case very well today. I will report that back to the Minister. We have made good progress on several projects across the rail network in recent years, including in the west. These include upgrades at Ceannt Station in Galway city, which are under way and scheduled to be completed next year. In addition, a new platform and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Minister would like to thank the Senator for raising this important matter. As she mentioned in her contribution, the responsibility for firearms policy and legislation rests with the Department of Justice. As issues arise or changes in EU legislation occur, the Minister and departmental officials engage with individual firearms representative organisations and other stakeholders as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: While the licensing of firearms holders is not carried out by the Department of Justice, the Minister recognises and acknowledges the dedication and responsibility of firearm owners and also their contribution to conservation in rural communities.The Minister and the Department are committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders on any potential policy or legislative changes in these areas....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, who regrets that he cannot be here because he unfortunately has another commitment at this time. He has asked me to reply to Senator Nelson Murray and to thank her for raising this important issue, which I know is very important to her.The Senator has been one of the strongest advocates on this matter. I appreciate her...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will convey, as I know she will directly convey, the Senator's views and what she has said to the Minister. I listened closely to the points she raised. I am aware of the view expressed by some stakeholders that the proposed increase will have the effect of increasing premiums. I fully take on board the issues and considerations the Senator has raised. They are very important. However,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Budgets (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator and again apologise that the Minister is not available to reply to him directly. I will reply on his behalf. The European Union budget, the MFF, as the Senator knows, currently runs until 2027. The current MFF was agreed in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic, which left a very clear mark on that framework.Most notably, alongside the MFF, the Next Generation EU...